Massapequa boys lacrosse’s uphill journey to become 2019 state champions
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (BVM) — Class A high school lacrosse witnessed one of the most dominant runs by a team in the division’s history last year. However, Massapequa wasn’t going to let their season be overshadowed by another team’s feat. The Chiefs’ boys lacrosse team had to fight uphill throughout the NYSPHSAA 2019 playoffs, winning against some of the top teams in the state.
Massapequa wasn’t considered underrated in its 2019 run. The seniors on the Chiefs had already won two sectionals. The eighth-seeded Chiefs were 20-3 throughout the regular season and were on a winning streak themselves. They entered the playoffs with a bye in the first round. In their second round match-up, Massapequa went head-to-head in the Long Island Class A championship against the Ward Melville Patriots, who they had lost to the last two years. The Chiefs were able to change their fate, as they went on to win,10-5.
With their Long Island victory, the tournament aligned them with one of the toughest semifinal battles in the bracket. The Chiefs faced off against the top-seeded Mamaroneck Tigers.
Mamaroneck came in scorching hot with a program-record 20-game win streak. The Tigers capped off two convincing wins to start the playoffs and with a date against Massapequa next, they were prepared for their toughest opponent all season.
The Chiefs came out slow to start the semifinal match-up. Finishing out the half strong, Massapequa rolled for the remainder of the game. The Chiefs never allowed Mamaroneck to rally and knocked out the streaking Tigers, 14-9, moving on to the state
finals.
Following the huge victory, Massapequa used that momentum by finishing the NYSPHSAA playoffs as 2019 state champions. The Chiefs played against the Fairport Red Raiders at St. John Fisher College. Massapequa captured their first state title win since 2014, and second all-time, after a 10-6 victory over Fairport.
#NYSPHSAA BLAX Class A: Massapequa defeats Fairport with a final score of 10-6. pic.twitter.com/tiTz0TH47Y
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) June 8, 2019
The Chiefs’ roster featured a plethora of top talent as many have gone on to play at the collegiate level. Leading scorers Colin Gleason (Siena College) and Sam Lutfi (Hofstra) and midfielder Thomas Greenblatt (Binghamton) are just some of the talented seniors that made an impact in their state championship win.
With the 2020 season being canceled due to COVID-19, Massapequa will have a target on their back as the Chiefs will be looking to defend their championship when the next lacrosse season begins in 2021.
