It’s like the ’90s all over again. Sachem and Ward Melville will face off in the Suffolk County boys lacrosse semifinals and all seems right in the world.
This improbable run for Sachem North has included two upsets so far, first over cross-town rival Sachem East in a 9-8 out-bracket win and then an 11-7 quarterfinal win over top-seeded Huntington on Friday afternoon.
“Anytime you can get into the playoffs and get a win it’s great for the program,” said Sachem alum, teacher and first year head coach Anthony Muratore. “We have a great group of kids along with great senior leadership.”
JP Boreshesky scored five goals to lead Sachem, while Matt Keegan had three goals and one assist. Andrew Battelli, Anthony Martino and Alex Pfeiffer all scored one. Nick Elarde made 15 saves.
The Flaming Arrows will play No. 4 Ward Melville in the semifinals on Monday, June 14 at 4 p.m. Sachem last appeared in the final four in 2014 and 2012, has not been in the Suffolk County finals since 2001 and not won it since 1995. The game against Huntington was Sachem’s first quarterfinal since 2016.
“Playing Ward Melville in the semis is special because it is a rivalry that dates back to the early ’90s,” said Muratore. “They have been the measuring bar of lacrosse for so long.”
The win over Huntington ranks as one of the program’s biggest modern era victories. Considering the circumstances of beating the top seed in the playoffs in arguably one of the toughest high school lacrosse conferences in the country, it’s no small feat. Comparatively, this ranks with Sachem’s regular season upset over West Islip in 2010. The Lions ranked No. 1 in the country when Sachem beat them on the road.
Support for the program has been pouring in on social media. Fans, parents, and former players and coaches have been sharing notes, posts and favorites following the quarterfinal win.
“Congratulations to the Sachem lacrosse team and staff,” former longtime hall of fame Sachem lacrosse coach Rick Mercurio wrote on Facebook. “Great win!! Proud of our Arrow tradition. Keep it going!!!”
“Great win!!!,” added Will Campbell, a star for Sachem lacrosse who won the Ray Enners Award as the top player in Suffolk County in 1996. “Keep it rolling.”
Like Campbell, Muratore played in a county final and semifinals, as did assistant Jay Mauro.
“If we beat Ward Melville Monday it would just add to this special run we are on,” said Muratore.
Photo credit Ray Nelson