The Mineola PAL Chiefs 5th Grade Boys Lacrosse Team tied the Lynbrook Owls 4-4 on the road April 12. The tie also keeps the Chiefs undefeated season alive at 2-0-1.

The game was like a street fight. Hard hitting, bodies flying and even a little blood as our own defenseman Gavin Dowd went to the hospital in the middle of the game to get some stitches. The Owl's goalie and our own John Clancy were like bulletproof vests stopping shot after shot. Defensemen Jake Connors, Chris Asam and Dowd carved up the Owl's attackmen to keep the pressure off Clancy in front of the net.

Offensively, Lynbrook could not keep up with the Chiefs' speedsters Peter McCormack, Mikey Elefonte and Kyle Dunleavy. Midfielders Brian Smith, James Gerstner and Thomas O'Connell battled hard and contributed to the domination of Lynbrook on groundballs 54 to 15. In the first half and with a man up Dominic Paggi scored the first goal of the game as the Chiefs took the lead 1-0. Then a short while later, Midfielder Brian Smith scooped up a ground ball and headed for the offensive zone. With some nifty moves Smith got around the defenders and bounced the ball past the goalie for the quick 2-0 lead. But a very talented Lynbrook team kept the pressure on the Chiefs scoring four consecutive unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead.

The second half was just as physical as the first. The Chiefs have been their best in the fourth quarter all year long and today was no different. This time from behind the cage the talented Chiefs attackman Chris Lockwood passed the ball to a cutting Thomas O'Connell in front of the crease. With one swift motion O'Connell shot the ball past the goalie for the goal, but still trailed Lynbrook 4-3. It didn't end there. With about a minute to go in the game O'Connell checked an Owl's attackman and stole the ball. O'Connell then made his way to the net spinning and cutting through the defense. With one last dodge O'Connell shot the ball pasted the goalie for 4-4 game ending tie. The Mineola fans went wild as the Lynbrook fans went silent.

Other players who contributed in the comeback tie were Patrick McGowan, Jacob Correia, Alex Taveira, Gerard Boniello, Trifon Boniello, William Berger and Daniel Zabarauskas. Nice job by the Mineola coaching staff.