In the past, a Sachem-Ward Melville lacrosse showdown could offer some of the best lacrosse in the nation. While North is having a respectable season, having beaten No. 1 West Islip to open the year, Monday night's performance against the Patriots was an eye-opener with the playoffs lurking around the corner.
Sachem (9-5) dropped the regular season finale, 12-1, thanks to a dominant Ward Melville attack that scored at-will and stifling defense under the lights at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium.
Former Sachem player Doug Shanahan's No. 26 jersey was retired during a half-time ceremony.
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Kevin McElhone scored six goals for Ward Melville (12-2) and six other players tallied individual marks for the Patriots. Cody Petillo scored Sachem's lone goal in the fourth quarter.
"We froze up a little bit," said Sachem head coach Jay Mauro.
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Telling his team to have short-term memory loss is the only thing Mauro can do with the playoffs starting Thursday.
It looks like North will grab a No. 6 seed and should be slotted to host a first round playoff game.
"We can right the ship then," he said. "Offensively we have to able to dodge and draw. We're not dodging the draw right now."
Sachem has dropped three consecutive games and four of its last five contests. It has allowed 10 or more goals in the three losses.
Mauro was stern when he addressed the team in a post-game huddle.
"We better be ready to work tomorrow," he said.
Check Sachem Patch as early as Tuesday to see how the Suffolk County playoff brackets look for all sports.
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