Sean O’Brien has a touch for the dramatic on the lacrosse field.
He scored the game winner in overtime against Ward Melville a couple of weeks ago, and he did the same against West Islip in a 6-5 double-overtime victory on Tuesday afternoon.
“It was a great win for the program,” said Sachem coach Jay Mauro, who is one win away from No. 100 of his career. “The whole team was great. Each guy was instrumental in our win.”
O’Brien, who had two goals and one assist, scored with 20 seconds left in the second overtime period.
Jimmy Hoffman tied the game at 5-5 with 3:33 left in regulation.
Jacob Giacalone made 13 saves in net to record the victory.
Sachem North is now 13-3 overall and primed to be one of the top three seeds, along with Smithtown East and Smithtown West, in the Suffolk County Class A playoffs, which begin on Friday, May 16.
West Islip, a perennial power who is often nationally ranked, is also one of the top teams in the county and should be seeded fourth or fifth in the playoffs after the coaches association seeding meeting.
Sachem has won 10 straight contests and should receive a first round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs.
Ask anyone associated with the Sachem North lacrosse program and many would say this season feels special. From the off-season workouts to off-the-field bonding trips and the brotherhood that has been built with this group of young men, the closeness of this bunch is evident in their play.
“It starts in the off-season program and in practice,” Mauro said. “We are excited about the playoffs. We will rest up, due some self-evaluation, learn from our mistakes and study our next opponent. It’s a new season now and we need to be ready to reach our goals.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro