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By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 6/4/15
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Lucas Quinn had five goals and an assist and Aidan O’Brien tallied three goals and four assists to boost Niskayuna to a 14-11 stunning 14-11 victory Wednesday over Syosset in the New York State Class A semifinals at Middletown High.
Aidan O’Brien
Niskayuna, the Section II champ, improves to 20-2 and will play West Genesee at Vestal High for the state title Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Syosset (18-2), the Section 8 champ, entered play ranked No. 2 in the Epoch Lacrosse North America Rankings after defeating defending champion Massapequa and Smithtown East to win the Long Island title.
“This was a great game,” said O’Brien. “We knew it would come down to who tried harder and who put more hard work into it. This is our year in the state semis so we knew we had to go all out here.
“Our Achilles heel is finishing games. We have had the tendency to not finish games out, to start off strong and finish slow. We played a complete game. After the first half we finished the game and that is what we needed to do. We feel awesome there is not a better feeling in the world right now.”
Mac O’Keefe had put the Braves up 11-10 with two of his six goals at the end of the third period. But Quinn tied it and John Prendergast put the Silver Warriors up for good. O’Brien tallied two more to ice.
“This is a big win,” said Niskayuna head coach Mike Vorgang. “Whenever you get chance to go to a state final it is a big opportunity. It is our goal just to get there. This is our third time and we want to get it done this time.
“We did a really nice job of composing ourselves under the pressure that Syosset put us under. I feel good. We have to see what West Genesee looks like on film. They are one of the best programs in the country. Whoever we would have had to play in the final four is really good so it is what it is.”
Nick Hatzipetrakos tallied three goals and Alex Concannon tallied one goal and two assists for Syosset.
“I thought Niskayuna came to play,” said Syosset head coach John Calabria. “I think they played really hard and they beat us.
“I feel bad for our guys but I also think they are a tremendous group of kids. Our journey ends here but I was so proud of their effort on the field. All the credit goes to Niskayuna they came to play.”
Niskayuna 14, Syosset 11
N: 5-1-4-4-14
S: 3-4-4-0-11
N: Lucas Quinn 5G, 1A; Aidan O’Brien 3G, 4A; James Sexton 2G; Aidan Byrne 1G, 1A; Evan Maloney 1G; Dylan Pantalone 1G; John Prendergast 1G
S: Mac O’Keefe 6G; Nick Hatzipetrakos 3G; Alex Concannon 1G, 2A; JP Lannig 1G; Michael Hatzopoulos 2A; Lucas Cotler 1A; Joy Mayjoy 1A
Saves: Nick Testa (N) 13; John Klobus (S) 7
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