Massapequa edges Farmingdale in boys lacrosse
Brayden Fitzpatrick of Massapequa surveys the field during a Nassau Conference A lacrosse game against Farmingdale on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Credit: Dawn McCormick
The bottom of a gold shirt could be seen sticking out from under some navy Massapequa jerseys at times Saturday during the team’s game at Farmingdale, with one word emblazoned in all caps across the back: “REDEMPTION.”
“Last year, we didn’t do so well,” midfielder Brayden Fitzpatrick said when asked about the meaning behind having it on these shirts that Massapequa wears every game. “So this year we want to come out and win (a county title) and show everyone what we’re made of.”
The redemption tour has been going well so far.
Massapequa was seeded fourth in Nassau A boys lacrosse in the preseason. Farmingdale took the top seed. But Massapequa won this matchup, 8-7, after Fitzpatrick scored the tiebreaking goal with 4:56 left.
“It definitely puts us back in the conversation,” first-year coach Michael Draper said after his team improved to 8-1 overall and 3-0 in A play. “After coming off a disappointing year last year, these guys wanted to earn a little bit of redemption. And that’s what their motto is.”
Farmingdale (8-2, 2-1) tied it for the fourth time, this time at 7-7, on a goal by Kyle Wilson 1:44 into the fourth.
But Aidan Christie fed Fitzpatrick and the junior untied it, firing from 10 yards out in the middle of the field, beating James Caputo for his second of the day.
“It’s just the best feeling, especially against our rival,” Fitzpatrick said of scoring the deciding goal. “It’s a big rival. It’s the best feeling to win this game.”
“Two good teams,” Dalers coach Mike Hungerford said. “… But nobody gets a trophy from today.”
Massapequa jumped in front 3-1. Farmingdale tied it at 3-3. Massapequa went back up 5-3 before halftime and led 6-4 in the third.
Farmingdale tied it at 6-6 on the first of Wilson’s two goals. Massapequa took a 7-6 edge when Fitzpatrick burst down the middle to beat Caputo with 3:42 left in the third.
Matt Jannotte made 10 saves for Massapequa, but Caputo also played a solid game, making seven stops. The sophomore started for Danny Seaman. The senior is out indefinitely with a hand injury suffered in the previous game.
“I’ve told people from the beginning of the year, ‘We have the best backup goalie in Nassau County,’ ” Hungerford said. “He proved today he’s pretty good.”