New Hyde Park Memorial High School senior Mathew Dluginski admits he doesn’t convert on all his shots.
But warning to lacrosse goalies: he never gives up on the play.
“I feel like I don’t stop trying,” said Dluginski. “When I miss, I make it a point to score the next time.”
Dluginski has been doing plenty of scoring for the New Hyde Park Gladiators since 2012. He scored 15 goals as a sophomore, 38 as a junior and a school-record 55 goals this season. Dluginski ended up scoring three or more goals in 13 of 15 games in 2014.
New Hyde Park coach Michael Milio credits Dluginski’s relentless motor for his scoring prowess.
“He’s a scrappy player,” said Milio, coach of New Hyde Park for 12 years. “If it doesn’t happen the first time, he’ll keep going at it. The team makes the first save and they think he’s going to give up and he never does.
“His work ethic is tremendous.”
Dluginski made news in May when he announced he accepted a scholarship to play men’s lacrosse for Adelphi University, a NCAA Division II school.
Dluginski said he wasn’t sure if he would get a scholarship to play lacrosse, but ended up signing with Adelphi, after impressing coaches in a lacrosse showcase tournament at St. John’s University.
“I ended up scoring three goals and one assists and I played half of a 20-minute game,” Dluginski said. “Right then and there, they offered me a package. When I signed that paper, it was probably one of the best moments of my life.”
Dluginski , who plans to study either nursing or sports management, was also considering Limestone College in South Carolina, Post University in Connecticut, and Assumption College in Massachusetts.
But it was the school closest to home that appealed to Dluginski.
“The atmosphere was welcoming, just walk right in and be part of that family,” Dluginski said. “Coach
(Gordon Purdie) has a real love for the game and it’s shared by his players.”
Adelphi is coming off a successful 2014 season with a 17-2 record. Dluginski hopes to contribute to another winning campaign next year.
“I’m ready to fit a role on this team,” said Dluginski. “I know I’m not going to be a superstar right away. I just want to get there and play lacrosse at a good level.”
