Mineola showed tremendous composure in this game as Northport’s powerful offense put up eight goals on them in the first half. But after halftime, Mineola’s defense shut down Northport’s (4-2) offense, only allowing two goals in this big win for Mineola(6-0).
Goalie Charlie Villa had seven of his ten saves in the second half limiting Northport’s offense to two goals. Defensively, Mineola came out in the second half and played outstanding. They became very physical, causing numerous turnovers by Northport.
This aggressive defense was lead by Frankie Leckler (6 gb), Luke Santaniello (3gb), Thomas Jozef (4gb), James Muesig (2gb) and Garret Sanders (1gb). They delivered big hits, picked up every ground ball, totally dominating Northport’s offense in the second half. Also responsible for shutting down Northport’s big guns with a suffocating defense where Luke Williams (2 assists-3 gb), Ely Hahami (4gb), Johnny V (1 assist-3gb), and Tobey Hirsch (1gb).
Mineola started on the opening face off, won by James Rosellon (4 goals-1 assist) came down and did a beautiful face dodge and blasted it by the Northport goalie.
Peter Sluka (5 goals) came down the middle of the field and fired a laser into the upper left corner to make the score 2-0, Mineola.
Northport’s powerful offense began to click scoring, the next five goals, and by halftime totally eight goals. In the second quarter, Sluka worked a pretty give and go with Lukas Goring (1 assist-5 gb) to close out the scoring.
Starting the second half, Mineola rallied from an eight to five deficit when Tommy Renner (2 goals-2assits) scored on a pass from Rosellon who had won the face-off to start the play. Then, Williams intercepted a pass and feed Tommy Renner who fired a rocket past the Northport goalie to make the score 8-7, Northport.
Three minutes later Rosellon, fed Johnny V., who found Sluka on the crease and he finished the play to tie the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Mineola had the extra man advantage and worked the ball around the cage ending in Sluka’s stick on a pretty feed from Renner, giving Mineola an 11-9 lead. Northport scored an extra-man goal off a loose ball scramble in front of the Mineola goal with three minutes left.
