BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI
Chaminade left not doubt they are Nassau’s best team right now. The Flyers totally out played host Manhasset yesterday in an 11-5 win during the Lacrosse Day of Champions to honor Sgt. James Regan yesterday. Chaminade took an 11-2 lead with 5:20 left in the game on a goal by Matt Johnson. It defense and goalie Nolan Hickey held Manhasset scoreless for 43 minutes from the first to fourth quarters. Hicky made 13 saves.
“This is as well as we’ve played as a team in every aspect so far,” Chaminade coach Jake Moran said. “Nolan played his best game today.”
The outcome will have a major impact on the national rankings. Manhasset entered the game 6-0 and ranked second my STX/Inside Lacrosse. Chaminade (7-2) was in the number 20 spot.
The Indians were not crisp on offense and seemed a bit rattled by a more physical Chaminade squad.
“They outplayed us at the midfield without a doubt,” Manhasset coach Bill Cherry said.
Manhasset played with out Jeff Molinari, who is not completely recovered from a concussion and Matt Gibson scored two goals in his return for Chaminade.
I didn’t think this game would ever be possible for us to play Manhasset,” Chaminade defender Bill Coughlin said. It means something, but we still have a lot of big games ahead.”
On Jimmy Regan and the Lacrosse Day of Champions:
“Everyone is out here for such a good cause remembering Jimmy Regan and the things he’s done for his country. The fact that we can come out here and help that cause and do something positive is something we love to be apart of.” - Matt Danowski, Duke attack
“The Long Island lacrosse community cares about the right things. They care about people. They care about the game itself and it’s obvious today." - John Danowski, Duke coach
“He was just a great human being. He was a competitor, I guy whether he was in the line up or out the line up was all about his teammates." - Joe Alberici, Army head coach
“It was an absolute honor to play in this game for Jimmy Regan. This atmosphere is second to none. I’d know of a game that I’ll play in that will be a better atmosphere.” - Adam Fullerton, Army goalie
“He made other people better by being unselfish and out working people. He used his god given ability to the utmost." -Jack Moran, Chaminade coach.