The Long Island AAA state championship has been dominated by two teams from Suffolk County: Chaminade and St. Anthony’s High Schools. Both playing in the Catholic High School Athlete Association, Chaminade and St. Anthony’s have claimed every AAA state championship since 1987. From 2005-2008, Chaminade proved stronger, winning the championship all four years. Since then, St. Anthony’s responded with four straight victories of their own.
Chaminade and St. Anthony’s have both proved themselves on the national level. Entering the game with a 12-1 record, Chaminade ranked 12th in the DigitalSports National Lacrosse Rankings. At 9-2, St. Anthony’s went into the game ranked 15th nationally.
This year, Chaminade is trying to shift the power back to them. After a 10-6 victory over St. Anthony’s earlier in the season, Chaminade travelled to their rival’s home ground yesterday to play the Friars for the second time in the regular season game. The game finished with a close 7-5 result for Chaminade.
In a battle between two highly skilled teams, it’s the little things that make the difference. Kris Clarke, a senior midfielder for Chaminade, did his best to get his the Flyers on the right track from the start. Throughout the game, Clarke 13 of 15 face offs giving Chaminade ample position time and opportunities.
Offensively, Chaminade was lead by Ryan Lukacovic and Thomas Zenker both scored hat tricks. His three goals today brought Lukacovic to 32 goals and 31 assists this season, making him the top scorer on the team. On the defense side, the Flyers were lead by Brian Dunne, committed to Duke, and junior goalie Jack Concannon, committed to Hofstra. The defense held St. Anthony’s to their second lowest scoring output of the game.
With their excellent play on both sides of the ball, Chaminade defeated St. Anthony’s for the second time this season. This marks the third consecutive year that the Flyers swept the two regular season meeting. On the two previous occasions, however, St. Anthony’s came back to defeat Chaminade in the championship game.
So far, Chaminade looks to be on top form and able to break St. Anthony’s four championship streak. After two more regular season games, Chaminade begins their playoff campaign.
Year after year, the Flyers and the Friars meet in the championship game, and this year does not look to be an exception. Regardless of Chaminade’s dominance in the regular season, the trophy can still go to either team. With a match that is impossible to predict, only time will tell who brings home prize: St. Anthony’s, extending their championship streak to five years, or Chaminade, taking back that power that they once held.
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