O’Keefe’s Moment

Mac O’Keefe has been making big plays all year for the Braves, but what he did on Wednesday night at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium was something that goes beyond his wildest dreams. 

O’Keefe riffled an undercutting shot past MacArthur goalie Ryan Purcell off a beautiful feed from sophomore attack, Alex Concannon, to give the Braves a 5-4 win in triple overtime of the Nassau Class A quarterfinal. 

“It was probably one of the best feelings I have ever experienced,” said O’Keefe. “It took me a little while to realize what had just happened. A few seconds later as I was pilled on by the team it finally hit me.”                                            

When asked about the goal, Concannon attested O’Keefe’s goal to the intelligence O’Keefe plays with as just a 9th grader. 

“His goal was incredible,” Concannon said. “He has the IQ to know when his man slides and how to get open and get ready for the shot. His man slid, I fed him, and he finished. To be doing that as a freshman is incredible.” 

Though just a freshman, O’Keefe has stepped up this season for a Braves team that lost two starting attack the previous season. O’Keefe, known for his ability to snipe a shot into the cage has scored 21 goals this season.

“Every time i step on the field I am just looking to capitalize on every opportunity that I get,” O’Keefe said. 

Senior mid fielder Alex Hazopolous, who’s goal with 2:21 left in regulation sent the game into overtime where O’Keefe had the opportunity to forever imprint his name over the Syosset program. 

“That entire game we had to battle from the start to finish,” said Hazopolous. “We needed someone to make a play in overtime and for the first two overtimes we couldn’t muster that decisive goal, but Mac made a tremendous play for us and that is why we are moving on.” 

O’Keefe’s goal did a lot more than just win Syosset a first round playoff game. The goal rescued the Braves from the embarrassment of the defending Nassau class “A” champions going down in the first round.

“He saved us big time,” said sophomore attack Jack Parlo. “He guarantees us at least another week of playing with my teammates."

Despite being only a freshman playing on the Varsity level, O’Keefe’s confidence in himself when he puts on his Braves helmet is evident. O’Keefe plays with tremendous poise and is going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next three seasons under head coach John Calabria. 

Though O’Keefe may never experience a moment as he did on Wednesday night again, he knows that he and the Braves have some unfinished business to attend to. 

“It’s a team game and we know that we have to keep working,” said O’Keefe. “Our goal is to play for ourselves and our teammates.”

Watch O’Keefe and the Braves battle Port Washington in the Nassau Class “A” semifinals next Wednesday night at 8:00 at Hofstra.