As far as anyone associated with the 1993 Sachem boy’s lacrosse team was concerned, the biggest thrill 20 years later is still beating Ward Melville in the Suffolk County Class A Championship. The Long Island crown earned against Farmingdale, the double-overtime victory against Mahopac in the state semifinal and the state title victory over Fayetteville-Manlius were all just icing on one sweet cake.
After suffering a regular season loss against Ward Melville, Sachem was determined to play its storied rivals with more gut and grit then ever before the second time around. It worked and the Flaming Arrows beat the Patriots, 8-4, snapping their 40-game win streak and 11-year county title victory streak. It was both euphoric and monumental for Sachem.
That Melville game was the talk of the field at Sachem again this weekend as the 1993 state championship team gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their post-season spoils. Players and coaches received championship rings they purchased during a half-time ceremony of the Sachem North-Riverhead boys lacrosse game at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Sachem alums were just as chummy and talkative as they were 20 years earlier as young men doning the black and gold.
“These were the closest bunch of guys I’ve ever coached,” said former Sachem lacrosse coach Rick Mercurio. “They hung out with each other. In practice they always seemed like they were having fun.”
Mercurio recalls vividly the time a handful of players from that team told him they’d win it all.
“They said, ‘Coach, why are you so nervous? Don’t you know we’re going to win this all’,” he said. “They were convinced they were going to win and nothing was going to stand in their way.”
After beating Melville in the county final, the sky was the limit. Sachem went on to beat Farmingdale, 11-4, in the Class A Long Island championship and held the Dalers scoreless in the final 30 minutes of the contest, capturing their first Island crown since 1979.
In the state semifinals, Sachem trailed Mahopac 6-0 at halftime, but rallied to win, 12-11, in double-overtime. Charlie Flaherty scored a game-high four goals, while Pete Friedman and Andy Rodriguez scored three each.
“It didnt look like we were ever going to beat those guys,” Mercurio said. “The kids never put their heads down.”
Rodriguez was also masterful from the faceoff circle, giving Sachem ample possessions down the stretch of those overtime periods. He was equally as effective in the state final, scoring four goals to lead Sachem to a 9-7 victory over Fayetteville-Manlius and the school’s second state lacrosse title and first since 1979.
“We all grew up together and knew each other’s tendencies,” Rodriguez said. “We’re all friends. It was one team that went after it. We had a lot of success, but we also forged friendships that are still going on today. We had a good senior class and strong juniors. We knew when it was time to get on the field it would be our turn. We were able to turn it on and turn it off, like that.”
PHOTOS: See images from the game and half-time ceremony
How they won a state championship?
- Beat East Islip, 14-5, in the county semifinals
- Beat Ward Melville, 8-4, in county final
- Beat Farmingdale, 11-4, in the Long Island final
- Beat Mahopac, 12-11, in the state semifinals
- Beat Fayetteville-Manlius, 9-7, in the state final
Official Sachem Lacrosse State Championship Roster
- Chris Asaro, Attack
- Dan Cakourous, Attack
- Bob Sullivan, Midfield
- Dan Lorenz, Midfield
- Dean Falzon, Midfield
- Dennis Kramer, Midfield
- Ed Southard, Attack
- Pete O’Leary, Midfield
- Brendan Chamberlain, Attack
- Matt Keefe, Midfield
- Davin Turchiano, Defense
- Brian Stellwagen, Attack
- Dave Martines, Defense
- Larry Collins, Midfield
- Mike Ward, Midfield
- Dave Connolly, Midfield
- Brian Borakove, Defense
- Chris Longo, Goalie
- Todd Allen, Defense
- Mike McCrain, Midfield
- Dave Kramer, Midfield
- Pete Friedman, Attack
- Dave Knepple, Midfield
- Brian Rogers, Defense
- Kevin Owens, Midfield
- Andy Rodriguez, Midfield
- Brian Micena, Defense
- Mike Vitulli, Goalie
- Jeff McGuire, Midfield
- Rob Finkel, Defense
- Mike Weber, Attack
- Charlie Flaherty, Midfield
- Dan Marasek, Defense
- Chris Gundlach, Midfield
- Bill Ramsey, Defense
- Jim Anson, Defense
- Ken Jurgansen, Attack
- Mike Hall, Goalie
- Rick Mercurio, head coach
- Tony Petillo, assistant coach
Sachem beats Riverhead, 9-4: Sachem beat Riverhead, 9-4, on Saturday afternoon and improved to 6-4 on the season. Shane DeBoer led the Arrows with four goals. Also scoring for the Arrows were Matt Battelli, Jake Slater, Sean O’Brien, Mike Calvagna and Joe Caridi. Dylan Ciolino made 18 saves in the win.
“We’re getting better every day,” Mauro said.
With four games left, the playoffs are in sight and with that comes another Super Six Division Championship.
“We don’t expect anything less,” Mauro said. “If we take care of business, we’ll be alright.”
Mauro was also proud to have the ’93 state championship team on-hand for his current team to see.
“They took the pinacle 20 years ago,” he said. “That’s our goal every year. To see them here it’s good for our kids, the community and the program and these guys deserve it.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro