Sachem (1-0) gave Middle Country (0-1) a warm welcome back to the varsity level in a huge 11-1 victory. Cameron Kalberer and Dominick Oppedisano each netted hat-tricks in the game. Scott Loeb allowed one goal in a winning performance for Sachem. Kenny Bridgeford Jr. allowed 7 goals against in his varsity debut. Andrew Martens was outstanding in goal after relieving Bridgeford Jr. at the midway mark of the 2nd period.
Kalberer scored to make it 1-0 Sachem with 13:30 left in the 1st period. Kalberer forced a turnover in the neutral zone before reentering Middle Country territory, blowing by the defense, and sniping glove side high from the bottom of the right wing circle.
Chase Saunders scored his first career varsity goal to put Sachem up 2-0 with 11:05 remaining in the first frame. Saunders came in on a partial breakaway and sniped stick side high from the right wing dot.
James Drago scored his first varsity goal to make it a 3-0 lead with 9:49 left in the opening stanza. Drago scored on a quick shot from beneath the left wing dot.
Kalberer scored his second of the night on the power play to make it 4-0 Sachem with 5:46 to go in the period.
Saunders buried a rebound for his second of the night with 57 seconds to go in the period.
It was the first of two goals in the final minute for Sachem, as Oppedisano buried a rebound with 21 seconds left to go in the period. Oppedisano’s first varsity goal since January of 2023 made it a 6-0 game.
C.J. Pena scored his first career varsity goal to make it 7-0 with 14:13 left in the second stanza.
Zack Atkinson his first career varsity goal to open the scoring for Middle Country with 11:39 to go in the 2nd period. Cougars Captain Harold Stauffer drove to the net before firing a shot that was turned aside by Loeb. Steven Graziano pounced on the loose puck before moving it to the back door for Atkinson.
Sachem led 7-0 when Martens relieved Bridgeford Jr. with 7:29 remaining in the 2nd period.
Oppedisano beat Martens for his second of the night with 10:34 left in the 3rd period. The Sachem star blew by the defense before going forehand-backhand on a partial breakaway to beat Martens.
Oppedisano completed the hat-trick to make it 9-1 Sachem with 9:04 remaining in the frame. Cameron Kalberer entered the zone, circled the cage, and found Oppedisano on the back door for a tap in goal.
Kalberer buried a rebound to complete the hat-trick with 5:35 remaining in the final frame.
Nyckie Ress scored his first of the season with 2:38 to go in regulation. Oppedisano slid it across to Ress for a backdoor tap in.
Three Stars of the Game
1st Dom Oppedisano — Netted a hat-trick and added 2 assists in his return to the varsity level
2nd Cameron Kalberer — Completed the hat-trick and added 2 assists for Sachem
3rd Chase Saunders — Scored twice in his varsity debut
