Leo Palamara delivered a masterful offensive display, recording a hat trick and four points to lead Ward Melville Freshman past winless Northport Huntington Freshman Blue 7-3 at North on Sunday. The Patriots (4-14) pulled away with a dominant third period, scoring three goals including Palamara‘s empty-netter with one second remaining to seal their fourth win of the season against a Tigers squad still searching for its first victory at 0-15-1.
The game featured multiple momentum swings in the opening period before Ward Melville took control. Matthew Waldner opened the scoring unassisted at 10:10, but Northport Huntington’s Finn Reynolds answered just 58 seconds later with a five-hole goal to tie the game 1-1. The Patriots regained their lead when Zachary Berliant converted a Waldner feed at 5:32, then extended their advantage to 3-1 on Christian Mirabile‘s goal with assists from Palamara at 1:31.
Northport Huntington refused to fold in the second period, with Henry Alfano cutting the deficit to 3-2 at 8:33 on assists from Robert Coiscou and Reynolds. However, Palamara provided the game-winner just 1:46 later, finishing a Berliant setup at 6:47 to restore Ward Melville’s two-goal cushion entering the final frame.
The third period belonged entirely to the Patriots, who broke open what had been a competitive contest. Berliant struck again at 14:19 with another assist from Waldner, before Palamara added his second goal at 4:44 with helpers from Jayden Valanzuolo and Caden Esposito. Alfano managed his second goal of the game for Northport Huntington at 3:02, but Palamara completed his hat trick with the empty-net goal as time expired.
Palamara entered the game averaging over two points per contest with 21 goals and five assists in 12 games, and his dominant performance underscored why he’s been Ward Melville’s offensive catalyst in an otherwise challenging season. Berliant contributed two goals and an assist, while Waldner added a goal and two helpers in the balanced attack. For Northport Huntington, Alfano’s two-goal effort showcased the scoring ability that has made him the team’s leading threat with nine goals entering the contest.
The victory marked a crucial win for Ward Melville as both struggling programs battled for rare success in the SCHSHL freshman division. Despite the lopsided final score, the Tigers showed resilience throughout, particularly Reynolds who tallied a goal and two assists while Coiscou contributed two assists in the losing effort.