Holy Trinity (Hicksville, N.Y.) continued its winning ways with a 15-9 victory over Fordham Prep in the CHSAA AA State semifinals at Holy Trinity High School. The Titans were led by Senior Pat Candon who netted four goals. The win follows the Titans victory over St. John the Baptist to take the the NSCHSAA AA championship.
Candon was pleased with the win. "This was an awesome win today," Candon said. "We lost to Fordham Prep earlier this season and we knew that we had to come out today fired up today and take the game over right away. We haven't won a state championship since I was a freshman and we are hoping to change that Friday."
The Titans started the scoring 1:10 into the game when junior Mike Plaia dodged past Fordham goalie Conor Gowen and put the ball top shelf. Plaia would increase the Titans lead to 3-0 just three minutes later.
Fordham would get on the board next when junior attackman Ben Andreycak beat Trinity goalie DJ Mauro. But, back came Trinity. The Titans would net three more goals before Fordham Prep found the net again. At the end of one quarter of play the Titans led 6-2.
Candon got the scoring started in the second quarter to make it 7-2. But the Rams would answer with back-to-back goals from Joe Regan and Chris Sullivan.
But Candon, who scored three of his four goals in the second quarter, netted two goals before the end of the half. At the half, Holy Trinity had a 9-4 lead.
In the third quarter, Andreycak scored to cut the Holy Trinity lead 9-5. But Nick Susko, who had two goals, would score on a shot which was between his legs to make it 10-5. Fordham Prep never got closer than four goals in the second half.
Susko was excited about his accomplishment. "It felt great to score behind the back and between my legs in my last game at Trinity," Susko said. "I've always wanted to try it after watching my peers do it. In the state championship we are looking forward to just playing smart, focusing on our key plays, and all I can say is ‘Just Win Baby!'" "
Senior Nick Olsen added three goals in the fourth to secure the Titans victory. Senior goalie D.J. Mauro led the Titans with 10 saves.
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