Sports

North Hosts Sachem Lacrosse Alumni Game

Old guys beat younger generation 8-7 in second annual event.

Close to 30 former Sachem North lacrosse players gathered at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium for the second annual alumni game Saturday evening.

In a battle of old and young, it was the "old guys," as many were referring to the group, who won 8-7.

With old pads, scattered jerseys and various helmets, mostly from their college days, the men laughed and joked as passes flew and shots were taken on nets defended by a grey and yellow garbage pales.

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Players ranged in graduation years from the late 1970s to as recent as 2009. Scott Cox, a 1986 grad won the older generation MVP award, while Anthony Iannello, who graduated in 2007, took home the honor for the younger half. The MVP awards, which are mounted at game sponsor Bruno's Bar & Restaurant, are named after former Sachem players Joe Taylor and Glen Hart.

"I appreciate the honor," said Cox, who played a couple seasons at the University of North Carolina and settled down there after college. "Sachem is where it all started. The caliber of ball that is played up in the north is phenomenal. Coach [Rick] Mercurio and coach [Tony] Petillo are the main factors in making the program what it is."

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Cox wore a brand new UNC helmet, which he received from current Tar Heels head coach Joe Breschi, who came into UNC with him as a freshman in '86. He also used a wood stick from his college days.

"I figured if my helmet from Carolina got hit, it would probably disintegrate," he joked.

Iannello, who played for current North coach Jay Mauro, is currently playing Division I lacrosse at Bryant University, so this game was much slower than what he's used to.

"It's fun though," he said. "Sachem has a great tradition in lacrosse and it's good to see these players come out."

"It's good to get the guys back together," added Mauro, who refereed this game.


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