A lot of pressure comes with defending the state champion title, and the Chiefs Lacrosse
team had to handle it from the start of the new season.
With such incredible talent graduating last year, the question of rebuilding remained as the Chiefs returned to the field. Despite the fact that there was talk about whether the team would be able to continue its legacy, the boys of Massapequa Lacrosse have made it very clear: they are not rebuilding, but simply reloading.
And reload they did. Continuing their winning streak from last year, the team finished their season with a perfect 13-0 record and were almost never challenged, though their previous successes incited fierce rivalry with other teams. Not one team in their division wanted them to win the State Championship again, but that is definitely where they were headed.
The Chiefs’ biggest accomplishments this season were beating Chaminade and Garden City.
“We’ve never been able to beat those guys so it was nice to finally get over that hump,” senior Griffin Konen said of the confidence boost early in the season.
Another major accomplishment for the Chiefs was their victory over Syosset, a formidable opponent early in the season. Though both teams were extremely determined to win, Massapequa would not accept a loss and pushed through overtime to win.
What separates the Chiefs from others in their division is their love for one another. The boys consider each other brothers rather than teammates, and everyone helps each other out both on and off the field.
The guys used a phrase that shows their devotion to their team: “Hoka Hey.” This is a Sioux saying that teammates screamed to each other when times were tough, demonstrating their devotion to one another and to the group as a whole.
“Everyone has to have one specific mindset and grit to keep on moving forward… everyone is all in,” junior Nick Georgalas said.
Although they did not regain the state title—they lost in the Class A county championship game to Syosset on May 26— the season was successful overall. Clearly, this year’s team has proven itself to be an exemplary model for future Massapequa Lacrosse teams on and off the field.