Rizzotti leads Kellenberg to 1st CHSAA 'AA' title

The goals came in bunches in the fourth quarter, but Kellenberg built enough of a cushion to hold off Holy Trinity, 11-9, last night at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium to win the Class AA Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA championship for the first time in school history.

"Best feeling ever!" yelled attack Joe Rizzotti, who scored three goals and added two assists. "It's been a long time."

The Firebirds (9-8) advance to the Class AA state CHSAA semifinals against the New York City Catholic champion on Tuesday.

"We just made more plays than they did," Kellenberg coach Mike Schwalie said.

His team scored four goals in 3:17 early in the fourth quarter, including Tom Stackpole's third of the game, to build an 11-6 lead. The Titans (6-11) scored three goals in 59 seconds to cut it to 11-9 with 1:30 left but managed no more shots on goal. Michael Plaia had three goals and two assists for Holy Trinity.