Commack High School’s freshman and sophomore-led offense secured the Cougars’ 16-7 win over their host, Middle Country (4-6) on Thursday afternoon. Commack (6-6) secured their lead within the first quarter, scoring seven goals within the first 12 minutes of the game.
Commack’s freshman attacker, Luke Breslin, scored two back-to-back goals towards the end of the first quarter. Middle Country fell behind by six points, until Jeremy Poggi returned with a goal in the last 13 seconds to bring the score to 7-2 going into the second.
“Playing varsity as a freshman is a great experience,” said Breslin. “Playing with the older kids on the varsity level has totally made me a better player.”
However, Commack’s offense was held to only one goal in the entire second quarter by MC’s defense. These three defenders included MC’s defensive standouts Joe Scopo and Tim Doyle.
This gave the Mad Dog’s some time to return 3 goals in the meantime. Middle Country’s Hunter Harvey was among those of their three scorers this quarter. After his teammate missed a shot, he caught the ball off the rebound and was able to shoot one-handed while tumbling backwards to the ground. MC brought it within 3 points as they went into halftime trailing 8-5.
“I didn’t even think about it, it was more of a reflex,” said Harvey, MC’s senior attacker committed to Molloy, about the goal. “I just knew I had to act on the opportunity.”
After returning from halftime, Commack’s young offense got to work. The second half included goals by Commack’s freshmen attackers Ethan Dolland, Brandon Berozi and Breslin, as well as sophomore middie Ryan Smith.
Breslin walked away with 7 goals and 1 assist on Thursday. “As a team we had great chemistry yesterday and we were sharing the ball with ease,” he said.
Commack’s defense was able to hold Middle Country to only one goal in each of the last two quarters. Middle Country could work on their off-ball defense to be able to predict what happens next. By improving their 5 by 5 passing and sharing the ball more on offense, this game could have easily been a closer one. In the end, the Cougars finished the game with a final leading score of 16-7.
