After Loss to Massapequa, Braves Look for Answers

The anticipation for Syosset’s matchup against Massapequa Thursday afternoon was exceedingly high. Syosset and Massapequa each put their undefeated conference records on the line in a 1 seed VS 2 seed matchup.

Syosset looked to grab a statement win and display to the rest of the conference why they were the preseason number one seed. Massapequa was out to prove they can compete with anyone in the conference.

Massapequa got off to a fast start leading 2-0 on goals from Dan Muller and Ryan Kirby. Syosset would come back to tie the game at 2 with the help of two goals by John Diaz and Nick Hatzipetrakos. However, Massapequa was able to grab the momentum quickly from that point on. Syosset would find a way to cut a deficit of 6 goals to 3 early in the 4th quarter after Andrew Keith added back to back snipes across the plane to make the game 10-7 but Keith’s effort would not be enough, and Syosset was beaten by Massapequa 14-8.

Led by Muller and Kirby’s four goals Massapequa dominated for most of the game. Massapequa’s star players put on an offensive display. After the game, senior mid fielder Muller talked about his team’s big offensive performance.

“We were outstanding today," he said, "and to do it against that goalie they have there, that’s awesome.”

did all he could to keep his team in it but acknowledged after the game that the team effort as a collective unit needed to be better.

“We had our ups and downs today," he said. "There were some points today where we looked like the team that we know we can really be; but for the most part we played down below our level. We did not win the little battles that take place on the field resulting in a loss for us today. But mark my words, we will see this team again in the playoffs and it is going to be a different Syosset Braves team out there. I guarantee it."

The Braves were unable to string together a collection of goals. It felt as if the offensive timing was off all game. Freshman attack Alex Concannon says the shot selection on the offensive end needs to improve.

“We shot the ball right at the goalies chest to many times," he said. "We need to be better than that. I just think it was one of those games but that’s no excuse for the way we played. We’re better than that.”

On the defensive side of the ball, it was a struggle all day for Syosset. At one point in the game coach John Calabria benched multiple starters on the defensive side for costly mental mistakes in such a crucial game.

“We didn’t get the ground balls we needed to get and it let them get so many second chance opportunities to score on Ryan,” said junior mid fielder, Andrew Keith, disappointed in the Braves' defense.

Every team faces adversity throughout the course of a long season. The Syosset Braves are no different. For the Braves to win it all, it is clear that improvements need to be made on all phases of the game. With hard work and focus the goal to win a county championship is still within reach. Syosset hopes that next time they face the Massapequa Chiefs, it will be for a county championship.