Family and fans gather at Rockwells to watch PMHS boys lacrosse team in state semi-final

The nearly full downstairs dining room at Rockwells had all screens on the lacrosse state semi-final.

The nearly full downstairs dining room at Rockwells had all screens on the lacrosse state semi-final.

Family and fans of the Pelham Memorial High School boys lacrosse team crowded Rockwells last night to watch a video stream of the state semi-final game in Albany. Though the viewers at Rockwells didn’t get the result they were looking for, they supported the team until the final buzzer.

Islip defeated Pelham 14-4, ending Pelham’s unexpected run to the final four. A week before, Pelham defeated Rye in dramatic fashion to capture the program’s first sectional championship. The pelicans scored three goals in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, before Senior George Dunhill scored in sudden death overtime. The pelicans were victorious by a score of 9-8. Before falling to Islip, Pelham captured its first regional championship by defeating Glen Falls 16-3.

Most of the tables in the downstairs dining room were full with every monitor tuned to the feed of the game. Upstairs, three big screens also had the game on for fans at tables there. People popped in the door of the restaurant for a quick check of the score.

“I came to support the team,” said Peter Fradkin, a youth coach watching with his son and daughter, who both play for Pelham youth lacrosse. “It’s been really great for the community. It’s been really great to see the buzz.”

Chris Michailoff was on hand with his younger son Matt because his older son Alex, a sophomore, had been called up from the JV squad.

“I think that they’re trying their best and trying to hold in there and get the ball,” said Matt.

“We defied outside expectations and worked hard to take a huge step in the program,” said Senior captain Quinlan Crowley. “It’s been an honor to rep the blue, white and gold these last four years.” Crowley will be continuing his lacrosse career at Hamilton College.