Wandling’s Hat Trick Powers Sachem to Victory

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (LISN) — Junior Joe Wandling recorded a hat trick and added an assist for a four-point night, leading Sachem (7-3) to an 11-4 win over the Middle Country Cougars (0-10).

Senior Tyler Alamia netted his first career varsity goal and went on to finish with two goals. Senior Chris Suriano also recorded his first career varsity goal.

Senior Scott Loeb earned his fifth win in as many starts for Sachem. Junior Andrew Martens made his fifth start of the season in net for Middle Country.

Suriano opened the scoring with his first career varsity goal at the 12:36 mark of the 1st period, putting Sachem up 1-0. Junior Kevin Lyoshir dangled past a defender and delivered a perfect pass to Suriano for a tap-in.

Just 20 seconds later, Wandling sniped top cheddar to make it 2-0.

Alamia extended the lead to 3-0 with 10:00 left in the opening stanza. After blocking a shot, he went end-to-end, came in on a partial breakaway, and beat Martens five-hole.

Senior Dom Oppedisano lit the lamp at the 6:42 mark of the 1st period to make it 4-0. After circling the net, he passed to Wandling and immediately got the puck back for a one-timer. 

Wandling added his second goal over a minute later, redirecting a shot past Martens to give Sachem a commanding 5-0 lead.

Senior Alex Theodorellis got Middle Country on the board with his first career varsity goal at the 13:57 mark of the 2nd period. Following a turnover in front of the Sachem net, Theodorellis buried a shot over Loeb’s outstretched pad.

Theodorellis struck again with 9:40 remaining in the 2nd period. Junior Declan Munkwitz skated behind the net and made a feed to Theodorellis in the slot for a quick shot to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Junior James Drago scored for Sachem at the 6:04 mark of the middle frame. Junior Chase Saunders threaded the needle on a beautiful cross crease pass to Drago who tapped it home. 

Senior Lukas McDowell added his first career power-play goal, and second of the season, with 4:44 left in the 2nd period. Senior Harold Stauffer spun away from pressure and slid it to Junior Ian McGee, who found McDowell at the back door for a one-timer to make it 6-3.

Just 24 seconds later, Wandling completed his hat trick in style, dangling through the Cougars’ defense and finishing with a between-the-legs move to push the lead to 7-3.

Early in the 3rd period, Marcus scored his fourth goal of the season, finishing a drop pass from Saunders with a five-hole shot to make it 8-3.

Oppedisano added his second of the night and 10th of the season with 12:33 remaining in the final frame, using a forehand-backhand deke to beat Martens for a 9-3 lead.

Senior Thomas Granahan scored his first career varsity goal at the 11:23 mark, capitalizing on a loose puck in front of the net to make it 10-3.

Drago added his fifth goal of the season at 9:01 in the 3rd period, burying a rebound after Saunders circled the zone and fired on net.

Alamia capped the scoring with his second goal of the night, blasting a shot from the point with 6:47 left in regulation to seal Sachem’s 11-4 victory.

Box Score

Three Stars Of The Game

Upcoming Schedule

Sachem (7-3) squares off against the East Islip Chiefs (5-5) on Monday, December 2 at 8:10 pm. Sachem won 7-1 in their first clash against EI on Sunday, September 29.

The Middle Country Cougars (0-10) square off against the Ward Melville Patriots (3-7) on Monday, December 2 at 9:40 pm. The Cougars fell 5-0 to the Patriots in their first meeting on Wednesday, September 25.