Panthers sizzle on a hot day

By Mike Zummo
Posted 4/19/23

It was hot on the field, but the Wallkill boys’ lacrosse team was hotter.

The Panthers scored 14 goals in the first half on their way to an 18-2 win over the FDR Presidents on Friday …

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Panthers sizzle on a hot day

Posted

It was hot on the field, but the Wallkill boys’ lacrosse team was hotter.

The Panthers scored 14 goals in the first half on their way to an 18-2 win over the FDR Presidents on Friday afternoon at Wallkill High School.

“I feel like we were pretty good,” said senior Richie Martinez, who led the Panther with five goals and five assists. “It was obviously really hot today, but overall, I think we were moving the ball better. We’ve been working on moving the ball and playing good as a team, practice-wise. We dodged. We moved and we got the ball around.”

It was unseasonably warm during the back half of last week with temperatures in the 80s, and even reaching close to 90 on Friday. But after the previous two days of practice, the Panthers were ready for the conditions.

“The last few days at practice, we did straight running,” Martinez said. “Lots of running. We would run like 1,000 yards a day. We just go in the heat, and I think that really helped us.”

John Canavan added four goals and four assists, and Colin McCartney added three goals and three assists.

“The most important thing (Martinez and McCartney) they have been giving me is just great leaders and role models on how to play the game and how to be young men,” Wallkill coach Jordan Taylor said. “Every day in practice, they’re leading the sprints and leading everything. I can’t ask for anything more.”

The Panthers got plenty more from all across the roster, as Connor Maruca added two goals; Carson Frisbie, Ian Rodriguez, and Brent DeCouer added a goal each; and Mason Ondreyko and T.J. Mazzetti had an assist each.

Alec Petrocelli-Henry made two saves.

“We’re playing as a team, and the kids are working hard,” Taylor said. “I can’t ask for anything else. It’s fun to see. I can’t wait to see how much we improve from here on out. But for me, the most important thing is maximum effort every single time we get an opportunity.”

The Panthers led the Presidents, 17-0, after the first three quarters, giving them an opportunity to empty the bench. Still, the final goal came from the combination of Martinez, who scored the goal, and McCartney, who provided the assist.

Jack Cook and Brad Tuttle scored fourth-quarter goals for the Presidents.

“It’s a cool experience because you get to help them and you get to teach them,” Martinez said. “Especially when we leave, with me being a senior, I want this school to excel. I want to teach them and help them move the ball. I want it to be a good family dynamic.”

Friday was the first game for the Panthers in about two weeks. Their last game was a 15-2 win over the Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks on March 30. They’ve scored at least 15 goals in each of their four straight wins to start the season.

“I think we’re pretty good,” Martinez said. “We have lots of games ahead, so we have to lock in and really start focusing. But overall, I think we’re doing really well.”