While this isn’t your Halloween Michael Myers, if this Mike Meyer isn’t on your team, he could still haunt you forever.
The Northport senior attack recorded six goals and notched three assists Tuesday, having a hand in nearly all of his Tigers’ scores in a 13-6 regular season finale win over Sachem North. The victory secured a perfect Division I season for Northport.
“I’m just glad he’s on our team,” senior Tyler Kuprianchik said, smiling. “Mike’s a special player. He’s been big for us all year.”
And he came through when his Tigers (15-1, 14-0) really needed him. Northport got off to a slow start, but Meyer found Patrick Sweeney for a 1-0 advantage, and fired unassisted rockets at the cage at the 6:09 and 2:19 marks of the first quarter to retie the game, twice. Then, he gave Northport its first lead since the opener with his hat trick goal, and found Jack Deliberti on the left wing, who blasted the ball past Sachem North’s Nicholas Elarde (11 saves) and into the far right corner for a 5-3 advantage with 5:44 left in the first half.
“We were expecting a zone and were prepared for man-to-man, so whatever they threw at us we had an answer for. I think that is a credit to how hard we work in practice,” Meyer said. “But what I love about us is that we aren’t even playing our best lacrosse yet. We are still getting better. I think that’s scary, especially going into playoffs.”
What also kept Northport in it was Kuprianchik’s dominance at midfield, securing possession after possession when the Flaming Arrows were hitting their marks early. The senior faceoff specialist said he had to switch up his strategy several times in order for his team to have time with the ball. He won 21 of 23 faceoffs for the Tigers.
“The pole came into the game trying to cut off the fast breaks, so I had to mix up my exits to get out cleanly,” Kuprianchik said. “I felt great, but it was a little emotional knowing it was my last regular season game.”
“I don’t think you can ask for anything more from Tyler,” Meyer added. “There’s no one better than him on the Island at what he does.”
Junior defender Andrew Miller also said the midfielder is crucial to his team’s game.
“Kup is our key to success. He works so incredibly hard so he can dominate when it comes game time,” Miller said. “Ty played phenomenal today, and has played phenomenal as long as I’ve known him.”
But Miller played his part, too. He scooped up one ground ball after forcing a turnover, which led to Deliberti’s second goal, and another that led to Jacob Starcke whooshing the ball into the nettings from 25 yards out with 18 seconds left in the third for a 9-5 lead.
“I just tried to time my checks and stay in control of my feet, and I felt great when I was guarding on-ball,” Miller said. “But we played as a unit and supported one another. We communicated really well in the second half, and it was beautiful weather, so once we got in a groove we were firing on all cylinders, together. I love every moment of playing with these boys.”
Meyer said the ground balls were decisive, because even though Kuprianchik dominated the ‘X,’ the Tigers lost the ball several times forcing their way to the front of the cage.
“Andrew and our defense played great,” Meyer said. “There was a couple of bad turnovers we had on the offensive end that they bailed us out for and got the ball back. Our poles and defensive midfielders were also great in transition, whether they pushed it themselves or found someone else.”
“Drew has been big for us all year, as well as the rest of the defense,” Kuprianchik added. “They’ve been lights out all year, and I expect nothing less from them.”
Miller, who had a midfielder locked on him the entire game, was rewarded for his efforts with a fast break goal off a Kuprianchik faceoff win to give the game its final score. Kuprianchik won the ensuing battle to ice it.
“As Kup won the face off, I cut behind my man and we made eye contact,” Miller said. “He read my mind and threaded the needle with a behind-the-back pass. It bounced past the defender and I picked it up — saw a slow slide — so I stepped down and found the net.”
“It was a great look by Ty. He woulda killed me if I missed,” Miller adding, laughing. “Finding an opportunity to take a quality shot was a moment I was looking forward to.”
He said he’s learned a lot from one of the best on his team.
“I love Mike,” the defender said. “He’s got a rocket of a shot, is great on ground balls and always rides hard. He’s a smart player and great athlete, and I really look up to his senior leadership.”
Senior goalkeeper Luke Lamendola made six stops in the win for Northport, and senior midfielder Timothy Kirchner came away with a goal and a few 50/50 balls. Senior Jack Breckling also did his job guarding against one of Sachem North’s (8-6, 8-5) top midfielders, and played lockdown defense in the second half.
“It was a strong performance by our defense today, only letting up six to a very talented team,” Miller said. “I think this was our best game so far, and we worked hard to get to this point, but we’re not done yet.”
“I feel like we get better every week, and I’m excited for what’s to come,” Kuprianchik added. “I like the fact that everyone contributes to make big plays. I’m very confident in this team — in what we can accomplish. It’s my last chance, and with this team, I think we can do some serious damage.”
Meyer said the Tigers have had one goal since the start of the season, and is looking forward to taking one step closer to it next game.
“We knew going into this season it was going to be a battle every day, and it was. We never took anyone lightly, so this is a great feeling, but we are still far from the goal we had at the beginning of the season,” Meyer said. “What our whole team’s, but especially the seniors’ motto has been is, ‘Win your last game.’ We are playing every game like it is our last, because any game now could be, but the goal is to win our last game and finish this year as state champs.”
