 |
Scoreboard
NYIT Lacrosse: Simply the Best
By Ben Arcuri (alumni@nyit.edu)
Even as he prepared for the 2004 lacrosse season, Coach Jack Kaley found a few moments to reflect on the 2003 campaign. And for good reason: Last year's team produced NYIT's second Division II national championship since 1997.
Kaley is quick to recall that Old Man Winter pounded the northeast with snowstorm after snowstorm in January and February of 2003. To get fit, the entire team grabbed snow shovels and dug out a small patch of wet and muddy grass, no bigger than 50 feet by 50 feet, on the practice field.
To passersby, moving foot-deep snow and slush might have seemed a bit drastic. But for a team that suffered a disheartening loss in the 2002 championship game, it was a small price to pay for a chance at redemption in 2003.
"I wanted to graduate with a national championship on my resume," says All-American goalie Matt Hunter (B.S. '03), who now plays professional lacrosse for the Bridgeport (Conn.) Barrage.
Braving the elements prepared the team for several early season challenges. Freshmen Matt Miller (Information Technology, '06) and Joseph Vasold (Technology Education, '06) gelled with the upperclassmen and Hunter emerged as the nation's best college lacrosse goalie.
"We'll never see the likes of Hunter again," says Kaley. "Even compared to the talent in Division I, he was the best."
Along with Hunter, Frank D'Agostino (Computer Science, '04) and Chris Vitucci (Marketing, '05) anchored a stifling defense that held its opponents to just 51 goals over the final nine games. The offense, fueled by Brian Boyle (Finance, '04) and Paul Montali (Criminal Justice, '05), fired on all cylinders and scored 129 goals during the same nine-game stretch.
Despite fears of a team letdown, NYIT completed its second straight undefeated regular season and qualified for the 2003 NCAA tournament.
NYIT faced Le Moyne College in the opening round showdown and trailed by two goals, 11-9, with just under six minutes remaining. Le Moyne's defense swarmed around junior Boyle and sophomore Montali (NYIT's top two scorers), holding the duo scoreless to that point in the game.
Then, lightning struck. Montali netted the first of his two goals to narrow the deficit and Boyle tied the game at 11 with just 2:32 remaining on an extra-man opportunity. Montali capped the thrilling come-from-behind victory with his second goal of the game with just 27 seconds remaining on the clock. "Big time players make big time plays," says Kaley.
Sophomore Tom Zummo (Finance, '05) assisted on the goal and made a remarkable play that his teammates will never forget. When Le Moyne's goalkeeper sent a long outlet pass down the sideline, Zummo stole the pass and sent it ahead to Montali. NYIT was thrust into a three-on-two fast break and Montali scored to propel the team into the Division II championship contest.
The showdown-a rematch of the 2002 national championship against Limestone-marked an important turning point for Division II lacrosse. For the first time ever, Division I, II and III completed their seasons during a single championship weekend held at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore, Md.
A record 15,417 fans turned out to see the Division II final. "We were thrilled to be part of the biggest lacrosse weekend in history," says Kaley.
NYIT dominated the championship showdown. By the end of the third period, the team had a commanding 8-1 lead and held Limestone scoreless for over 40 minutes. Montali, Zummo, Sean Meagher (Hospitality Management, '04) and Joe Gabrysiak (Business, '05) each scored two goals.
When the final horn sounded, NYIT celebrated a 9-4 victory. Having surrendered the fewest goals ever in a championship contest, Hunter was named the game's most valuable player.
Says Hunter, "It was great to accomplish the one goal we had from the beginning of the season and an amazing way for me to finish my career."
In a season that began with a single goal in their minds and a shovel in their hands, the lacrosse champions were now holding a trophy in their arms.
Send feedback and story ideas to alumni@nyit.edu.
|
|
