By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 4/24/15
SYOSSET – Ryan Tierney scored the game-winner with 2:54 to play in overtime to lift visiting Massapequa to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory today over Syosset in a game that lived up to the hype of a showdown of undefeated Long Island powerhouses.
The gem featured teams ranked among the top three squads in the Epoch Lacrosse North America Rankings. The Chiefs, ranked No. 2, improved to 12-0 while the No. 3 Braves fell to 11-1.
Massapequa, the defending state Class A champion, has won 29 straight games.
“I thought our defense played well and our man up was finishing the ball,” said Tierney. “Syosset’s defense played great. Coach (John) Calabria is a great man and he has a tough team.
“On that overtime shot I saw my opening. I wasn’t hitting my shots earlier, but I knew you have to shoot to get hot and stay hot. So I just kept it going and luckily the last shot went in. It was good to have a game where we have to try as hard as we could and have to go back and forth. We need that for the playoffs.”
In the first quarter we had a defensive battle with both teams being kept out of the cage. In the second quarter Tierney put Massapequa on the board first and that was followed by a Griff Konen goal putting the Chiefs up 2-0. That sparked a 3-0 run by Syosset bringing the score to 3-2 at the half.
Syosset led, 5-3, after three periods, but Griff Konen (three goals) tied the game at the 9:21 mark. Syosset regained the lead with 5:59 remaining on a goal by Matthew Benus, but Paul Dilena tied it just 37 seconds later.
Massapequa got the ball first in overtime but Syosset’s defense caused a turnover. The Braves had an off-sides penalty with 3:23 remaining in overtime and with 2:54 remaining Tierney scored the game-winner.
Carter Hawthorne tallied three assists and Dilena tallied one goal and one assist while Tim Kempton made 5 saves for Massapequa.
“This was two great teams going at it,” said Massapequa head coach Tim Radomski. “It was a defensive battle. With their offense and our offense, I thought it was going to be a high scoring game.
“Their goalies played great. Their defense played great. Our goalie played awesome. Our defense played great. This was a great game between two great teams. We will see them again.”
Lucas Cotler tallied two goals and two assists and JP Lanning tallied two goals for Syosset, which got strong goaltending from Jonathan Klobus (eight saves) and Bryan Ochs (five saves).
“Massapequa is great,” said Syosset head coach John Calabria. “They took advantage of all our mistakes today. It was a great game overall. I thought our kids played hard once we settled in but credit goes to them. They have a great coach and great athletes on that team. They were better than us today.”
Massapequa 7, Syosset 6, OT
M: 0-2-1-3-1-7
S: 0-3-2-1-0-6
M: Ryan Tierney 2G; Griff Konen 3G; Paul Dilena 1G, 1A; Casey Kimmel 1G; Carter Hawthorne 3A
S: Lucas Cotler 2G, 2A; JP Lanning 2G; Matthew Benus 1G; Michael Hotzopoulos 1G; Alex Concannon 2G; Mac O’Keefe 1A
Saves: Tom Kempton (M) 5; Jonathan Klobus (S) 8; Bryan Ochs (S) 3