“When I stepped on the line to take the shot, I took a look at my surroundings,” said Mackiewicz. “It led me to know where I was going to shoot. I don’t usually go with a plan in those situations, but take what the defense gives me and then adjust to that.”

What Hughes gave her was a tiny window in the top right corner of the net.  Mackiewicz took about four long strides and ripped it into that window, just above the goalkeepers outstretched stick for her 43^rd goal of the year.

The Lady Tigers, who had been dealt their only loss by another Connecticut team, New Canaan, mobbed Mackiewicz in game-ending jubilation session near the Wilton net. The overtime(s) scenario almost didn’t happen.

The Lady Tigers were down by a goal with less than two and half to go when Northport 8^th Grader Kate Atkinson appeared to have tied the score from about 12 feet away. Concurrently, the Northport/Ward Melville Boys game was in progress on the main football field and the girls game was taking place at the Curt Sweeney soccer field. As Atkinson’s shot nestled into the net, the alternate site’s scoreboard made a double buzzing sound, as if the period was over or a timeout had been called.

But both referees were initially unsure of what to make of this scoreboard situation.  After a twelve minute discussion and delay, the goal was allowed to stand and the score was now tied.

“It was definitely stressful to wait so long,” said the middle-schooler Atkinson. “I knew how much everybody wanted this game. I was thrilled that the goal was good and we were able to keep fighting.”

It was Atkinson’s 9^th goal of the year. Marauding Midfielder Ella Cabrera had three goals on the day, and Attackers Shannon Smith and Isabella Germani had one apiece. Tiger Goalie Megan Morris made nine saves, including a game-preserver on a free shot with three minutes to go that would have likely sealed it for Wilton. Northport, who had each player charcoal ‘LA12’ on the backs of their legs in honor of Mr. Acompora, improves to 11-1 overall.

“This win is definitely a boost of confidence and team spirit,” said Captain Smith. We came together as one and came back from a two-goal deficit. Winning in triple overtime is amazing and will give us confidence in our upcoming games. We believe in ourselves.”

On the adjacent field, were two other teams with strong beliefs and feelings – mostly hatred of each other.

In one of the most vicious rivalries in all of Suffolk High School Sports, the Northport and Ward Melville Boys Lax teams squared off for the first time since last June’s see-saw County Championship final. This game was somewhat more one-sided than that playoff brawl 10 months ago, which was won by the Tigers 8-6.

Northport led 3-0 after Jacob Starcke scored two and Jack Deliberti scored one in the first quarter. Dylan McNaughton and Andrew Miller give the Tigers a 5-1 lead, but Ward Melville cut it to 5-3 at halftime, culminating by Tyler Flynn netting one with three seconds to go in the half. They would get no closer

Tim Kirchner and Mike Meyer negated those two Patriot goals in the third; and at that juncture, the Tigers were on cruise control.

The 4^th period was scoreless for both teams. Luke Lamendola had 14 saves and Tyler Kuprianchick won an amazing 81.3% of his faceoffs at the X. The Tigers, like the Lady Tigers, are 11-1 and have won 11 in a row after losing to Mt. Sinai in the first game of the year.

“It’s always a battle facing Ward Melville and today was no different,” said Head Coach Larry Cerasi. “Both teams are ranked at the top of the league and today we were just a little bit better. It was an emotional day.”

Emotional on and off the field.

Louis Acompora was a freshman goalie for Northport in March of 2000. In his very first game at the high school level, he was struck in the chest by a shot in West Islip and died on the field. His parents, John and Karen were sitting in the stands.

Shortly thereafter, the Acompora family established a foundation to ensure the prevention of tragedies such as this. They have done this by raising awareness among schools and other public institutions about the importance of owning automated external defibrillators, a simple device that would have possibly saved Louis’s life that day.

As a result of this work, in 2002, Bill #A8779 was signed into law by Governor George Pataki making it mandatory to have AEDs in every school and at every sporting event in the State of New York. A month later, Pataki attended the Northport High School graduation ceremony to speak to the grads and present the bill  which he proclaimed to be “Louis’s Law.”

The celebration of Louis’ life as well the 107 lives saved by these defribulators, has been on display in the form of the Jamboree every April since the bill became a law.

“What an amazing day,” said Cerasi. “It is an honor to play lacrosse and be a part of such an amazing, lasting legacy continued by the tireless efforts of both the Northport community and Acompora family. They are incredible people.”

Tiger Assistant Coach and NHS Class of 2003 Alum Billy Cordts was a close friend of Louis’s and always looks forward to the day of the Jamboree.

“For me personally it has been an honor to have known him and I have carried his story everywhere life has taken me,” said Cordts. “I took it to college playing lacrosse, coaching outside of Philadelphia, and finally to returning home to Northport and be able to coach groups of young men in his honor on Team L.A.12 as well as the varsity lacrosse team at Northport high school.”

“It’s truly come full circle for me.  Since Louis’s passing, my life has been filled with lacrosse, and although we didn’t play together, lacrosse has filled my life with so many incredible moments and relationships and I truly owe that all to him. To see the Jamboree and its special day 20 plus years later still have the draw of spectators, incredible atmosphere and resounding message just truly goes to show the power of love and resilience of the Acompora family and the foundation’s board. When John and Karen set out on their journey all they wanted to do was help save another young person’s life. I know they would have done the same thing for one life. And now in the process, through all of their hard work they’ve not only saved 107 lives in New York alone but they inspired an army who will continue to spread Louis’s love and legacy and the importance of AEDs, CPR-first aid training, and heart screenings for student-athletes.”

Cordts’s twin brother Brian took over for Louis after the incident in net for that team and their younger brother Tommy also played goalkeeper for Northport. Coach Cordts, who was defenseman in his playing career, is a true blue and gold Northporter and knows that his friendship with Louis and love affair with the town are interwoven.

“We Northporters have a real pride in our town,” said Cordts. “It’s a special place – downtown, the village, the community. So many people move back home after college and raise their families here because they want their kids to have the amazing experience they had – and for me part of that experience is lacrosse and Louis’s legacy.”

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