May 19, 2003 Larger Game Photos by Bob Ogrudek  |
May 19, 2003 Larger Game Photos by Bob Ogrudek |
By Nelson Coffin
Photos by Bob Ogrudek
A zone defense, hot goaltending and an opportunistic offense vaulted New York Tech past Limestone College, 9-4, in the Men's Division II finale at M&T Bank Stadium in front of 15,417 fans on Memorial Day weekend. The game followed the D-III thriller that had chewed the field into muck and mire, making both teams to adapt as best they could.
Fortunately for the 14-0 Bears, The poor footing might just have been what they needed to slip back in front of the D-II pack for the first time since 1997 after falling to the Saints from South Carolina in last year's finale, 11-9, at Rutgers."We wanted to pack it in because last year [Jason] Randolph killed us and they ran their offense through [Devin] Spilker," said New York Tech Coach Jack Kaley about the Limestone attackmen who combined for six goals and three assists in the Saints' triumph. "We didn't want to give them anything inside and we wanted to leave it up to Mattie (Hunter) to stop them from 10-12 yards. When you have a goalie like Mattie you can do that, and he's been doing it for us all year."
Hunter was credited with only 12 saves in the contest, although it seemed like a lot more. Regardless of the number, every stop was a boost for the Bears. "Once you get that first save, it takes a big weight off your shoulders," said the game's Most Outstanding Player from Wantaugh, NY. "Then you start to get rolling."
The Saints never did get it going in the contest for their third title in four years, mainly because of Hunter. "He's the best goalie we've faced this year," said Spilker, last year's MOP, who prepped at Baltimore's Mount Saint Joseph high. "I put a couple of shots off-hip and he got them. He was hot today. And when a guy like that gets hot, he's tough to stop."NYIT's Tom Zummo may have dealt the most lethal blow to the Saints when he struck with just 0:01 left in the first quarter to put the Bears up, 2-1. "I saw the kid coming at me," said Zummo about the decisive play. "I rolled past him and I just shot it. It hit the dirt and went in." Zummo's dagger carried the Bears to a dominating 7-0 run that effectively carried the day for the New Yorkers.
"We've done that to a couple of teams this year," said Limestone Coach T.W. Johnson. "But we were on the other side of it this time." Paul Montali and Joe Gabrysiak hooked up for a pair of goals to complete the only scoring in the second period. Then Gabrysiak, Zummo, Sean Meaghar and Gabrysiak again finished the spurt that jetted the Bears into an 8-1 advantage.By the time Spilker scored with 7:26 remaining - and then again 24 seconds later - the new champs were all but being fitted for their crowns. "They were firing on all cylinders all day," explained Spilker the school's al-time leading scorer who finished his final year with 42 goals and 39 feeds. "They were quicker to the ball and quicker to the hole."
The Bears felt fortunate to have edged Le Moyne College, 12-11, a week earlier in Syracuse in the semifinals while Limestone buried Mercyhurst, 12-4. "We didn't just dodge a bullet last week," said Kaley. "We dodged a bazooka."Added Hunter: "They dominated us. We were lucky to get by that game. That was a good test for us for this game."
And advancing to play on a grand stage in an NFL venue added to the happy result. "For us and for our sport in general, it was a very special weekend," Kaley said.Attackman Brian Boyle did not let the wet conditions alter his feelings about playing in such a facility. "The field was rough, but the stadium was amazing," the junior from Westbury, NY remarked. Boyle, who led the team in scoring with 60 points despite being shut out in the final, would probably have played on a hot lava to finish the season as a proud member of the only undefeated squad in Division I, II or III.
Video ActionTech's Tom Zummo to Sean Meagher High Bandwidth
Tech's Matt Hunter High Bandwidth Only
Limestone's Dustin McConnaughhay to Devan Spilker to Robert Woody High Bandwidth
Limestone's Nick DeLonga High Bandwidth Only
Tech's Tom Zummo High Bandwidth
Limestone's Matt Malloy High Bandwidth Only
Tech's Joe Gabrysiak to Paul Montali High Bandwidth
Tech's Matt Miller High Bandwidth Only
Tech's Matt Hunter again! High Bandwidth Only
Limestone's Matt Malloy again! High Bandwidth Only
Tech's Joe Gabrysiak again! High Bandwidth
Tech's Tom Zummo again! High Bandwidth
Tech's Matt Hunter High Bandwidth Only
Limestone's Devan Spilker High Bandwidth
Limestone's Devan Spilker again! High Bandwidth
Tech's Tom Zummo to Joseph Vasold High Bandwidth
NYIT Celebration High Bandwidth Only
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