Arrows Pound Syosset in Non-League Win

Sachem passed its real first test of the season with flying colors.

Syosset, easily the most formidable opponent the Arrows have faced in the young 2011 season, had no answers for their high powered offense and balanced approach on defense in a 14-7 Sachem win at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium on Friday evening.

The Arrows (3-0) had eight players score goals in the win, including Dalton Crossan who led the team with three. Syosset (1-2) was led by Ryan Hunter, who also scored three.

Syosset, ranked second in Nassau County’s Conference A, is arguably one of the best teams on Long Island. Even trailing 7-2 at the half, the Braves were complacent and capable of a comeback. 

Most of the game’s offensive production came in the third quarter when both teams combined for seven goals in the final 3:54 of the quarter and nine overall. Hunter scored all three of his goals, including one on an extra-man-opportunity, during the stanza.

Sachem’s lead was cut to three goals with 1:26 left in the third quarter with the score at 10-7. The Arrows, however, held the Braves scoreless for the remainder of the game, pouring on four more unanswered goals from Michael Andreassi, Crossan, who had two in 24 seconds, and Tim Lang.

“Sachem is a phenomenal team,” said Syosset coach , who graduated from Sachem in 1989 and still lives in the community. “Their offense is a high-powered 15-goal offense and they were on tonight. They’re very well coached. They have the horses.”

Among the horses is transfer Brandon Gamblin, who came from Hicksville, another Nassau Conference A school. He is used to playing Syosset and his two goals and one assist were on par with what he normally gives the Braves. He would agree that his assimilation into Sachem’s family has gone smoothly thus far.

“I like it here,” he said. “School’s going great. The team welcomed me with open arms. The ball moves a little better at Sachem. There are more guys who can catch and throw, more guys who feel comfortable with getting a pass in big games like this one." 

Gamblin, who is tied with Crossan with 14 points (11g, 3a) for the team lead, spoke like a true Sachem athlete when he mentioned that the momentum for Friday’s game started last season when Syosset beat the Arrows in overtime, long before he ever thought of wearing Black & Gold.

“I beat them last year at Hicksville,” he said, “and we did it again today.”

Both Calabria and Sachem coach Jay Mauro were concerned about their teams improving being that it was a non-league contest and both are satisfied with the outcome.

“Every game we’re looking to get better and that’s what we did,” said Mauro. “We exploded, moved the ball. We didn’t have a lot of selfish play today. We stuck to what we do and we’re going to win games that way.”

“We never laid down today,” Calabria said, “The only thing that matters is what happens in May and June in Nassau County. If it makes us better that’s all I care about. That happened today.”

Sachem's next game is on the road at Half Hollow Hills West Monday, April 4, while Syosset opens its conference schedule at home against Port Washington on Wednesday, April 6.

Notes & Quotes

• This is the third time Calabria has coached his team in the Sachem community. The first being in 2003 at Sachem North, and second in 2009 at the PAL Complex in Holtsville. “It’s a true blue community,” he said. “I’m proud to be here and proud to live in this community.” Calabria held the Sachem single-season scoring record with 53 points, but it was broken by , his assistant at Syosset, in 1995 when Harned recorded 75.
• Michael Andreassi on the win: “Right now we’re playing great team offense and defense and coming together as a team. When that happens everyone opens up and you don’t have to do anything. It’s a weight off your shoulders. Everybody is doing their part. We’re going to be a tough team to stay with. It’s all thanks to our senior leadership. Everybody as a whole is pulling and wants to win. It’s a big team, a big family.
• Sachem has scored 53 goals in three games. This marks the first time the Arrows have scored 14-plus goals in three straight games in the modern era. This is also only the second time Sachem has started off 3-0 since the split.
• The game was played to benefit cancer research and awareness. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center had a table at the game and players on both teams wore pink socks and shoelaces donated by Olympic Den.
• Don't forget to vote for Sachem alum Anthony Iannello in the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award competition. Click here to submit your vote.

Sachem: Dalton Crossan (3g, 2a), Michael Andreassi (2g, 1a), Tim Lang (1g, 4a), Brandon Gamblin (2g, 1a), Eric Talbot (2g, 1a), Cody Petillo (1g, 1a), Jack Gannon (2g) and Corey Gamblin (1g). Saves: Tim Matos 6 and Gerald Logan 4.

Syosset: Ryan Hunter (3g), DJ Schmeider (2g), John Diaz (1g), Andrew Keith (1g) and Christian Hoelzi (1a). Saves: Ryan Felt 10.