In the week leading up to May 13's championship clash at Hofstra University between Chaminade and St. Anthony's, the Flyers collected two victories over Connecticut clubs Wilton (13-10) and Darien (17-12) at Gold Star Stadium.
The Crimson and Gold secured these victories in the absence of starting FOGO George Mavlios, whose return for the showdown with St. Anthony's gave his Flyers a boost from the moment they stepped into James M. Shuart Stadium, home of the Hofstra Pride. The stadium was decked out in NCAA signage in preparation for the two NCAA men's lacrosse quarterfinal games the venue would host two days later.
The first half couldn't have gone much better for the Flyers.
Keeping possession for a majority of the first 24 minutes, the Crimson and Gold built a three-goal halftime lead. James Gillis and Brendan Sim combined for seven first-half tallies to lead the offense, and Mavlios (who was nursing a groin injury) held his ground at the X against the Friars' dynamic faceoff duo of Paul LoNigro and Robert Johnson.
However, despite the Flyers' first-half efforts, they once again fell victim to a second-half slide.
In the last two matchups against the Black and Yellow, Chaminade enjoyed multi-goal cushions at halftime, but to begin both third quarters, St. Anthony's surged ahead to snatch away the Flyers' momentum.
Unfortunately for Chaminade, this trend continued in the championship.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, the game was tied, and after Charlie Cacciabaudo beat goalie Kieran Walsh near the crease, the Friars found themselves in front. After St. Anthony's netted another to make it five goals in a row, both teams traded tallies and went into the final frame with the Friars ahead, 12-10.
"We went into halftime knowing we were the better team," said Danny Rooney, who notched three goals. "We just had to play smarter and harder."
Midway through the fourth quarter, Harrigan netted a goal on the doorstep to give the Friars a three-goal edge. In pure excitement, the senior attackman screamed towards the hundreds of St. Anthony's supporters in the stands, signaling that a seventh straight championship was on the verge of being secured.
Chaminade tried to come back, but their efforts came up short, as two late goals were not enough for the Crimson and Gold. When the final buzzer sounded, the Friars' bench flooded onto the field, throwing their helmets and sticks in celebration of their 13-12 victory.
"[This victory] is special; it really is," emphasized Rooney after the win.
The heartbreaking loss ends the Chaminade careers of the 26 seniors who gave their all to this program over their four years in Mineola. This group is highlighted by three of Inside Lacrosse's top-24 players in the Class of 2026: Gillis (#1), John Balsamo (#20), and Walsh (#24). Along with this trio, 20 other Flyers are committed to continue their lacrosse careers in college.
"This senior group has meant a great deal to the program. What stood out most this year was their leadership and their willingness to set the tone early. We asked a great deal of them with the travel and the level of competition, and they responded well throughout," praised Chaminade head coach Gregory Kay. "We came up a little short of our ultimate goal, but that was not a result of their effort or their attitude. At the next level, I fully expect these guys to thrive."
The Flyers now turn to 2027 with high aspirations. Current sophomore Benjamin Hristoforatos as well as juniors Brendan Sim, Hayden Sipress, William Pizzo, and Samuel Fox will all return to the varsity squad next year in hopes of capturing the program's first league title since 2018.
