By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 7/3/13
BOYDS, Md. – If the college coaches did not know how to spell his name before, they know more about Nicholas Hatzipetrakos now.
The Syosset rising junior midfielder from Long Island North scored three goals Tuesday to help the White All-Stars topple the Blue, 8-3, in the 2015-16 All-Star Game at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic here at the Maryland Soccerplex.
Besides his performance in the All-Star Game, Hatzipetrakos has been a key for LI North’s drive to the playoffs. His squad went undefeated in pool play and is playing this morning in the quarterfinals vs. Ohio.
“The experience is great,” said Hatzipetrakos. “We had a great (All-Star) team. There are a lot of great kids from all over the country and a lot of competition.”
Hatzipetrakos said many of the members of the Long Island North squad already knew each other before the games began Monday.
“We have great goalkeepers and lot of chemistry,” he said. “There is a lot of ball movement. The offense has put up numbers; I think we have 35 goals and only nine given up. The defense is doing great.”
New Jersey South surprises
One of the biggest surprises this year is the success of both New Jersey South and New Jersey North. The New Jersey teams split into two this year for the first time and both qualified for this morning’s quarterfinals.
NJ South’s Steven Gottlieb (2014 DEF, Penn Charter, PA) was one of several NJ South players that made the All-Star team. Gottlieb had two caused turnovers to help the White team topple the Blue, 8-6, in the 2014 All-Star Game.
“I think it (All-Star Game) went well,” said Gottlieb. “Most of the guys I played against in the season due to our (National) schedule so it was nice to see how their seasons ended.”
Gottlieb said his NJ South squad – which plays Maryland at 9 a.m. in the quarterfinals – jelled quickly in all aspects.
“We came in as the underdog and definitely turned some heads,” he said. “Rochester is the tourney champion last two years and we tied them and then we beat Florida to make the playoffs,” he said. “That was exciting.
“Our defense is playing well. We have only let in like 15 goals in four games and that is pretty impressive for a tourney like this.
“Both our goalies have played well and our offense is moving the ball really well. They are taking their time on possessions and that is helping us out on ‘D.’”
Also for the White in the 2014 All-Star Game, Daniel Grossman (LI South, ATT, Paul D. Schrieber) had two goals, Peter DeSoimone (NE North, ATT, LaSalle Academy, RI) had two goals and Jonathan Spevacek (Florida, MF, Spanmish River) added two goals while Andrew McLaughlin (DC, MF, Georgetown Prep) had four assists and Nick Forrest (MD, A, Glenelg) had a goal and two assists.
Playoffs
In other quarterfinal games this morning, two-time defending champion Rochester faced off with Upstate rival Syracuse at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m., New Jersey North meets Illinois.
The semis are at 11 a.m. and the finals are at 1 p.m.
Academy playoffs
In the Middle School quarterfinals which began at 8 a.m., pairings are Long Island North vs. Alabama; New Jersey vs. Georgia; New England North vs. Texas; and Rochester vs. Long Island South.
The semis are at 10 a.m. and finals are at noon.
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