Commack boys soccer's Jacob Weiss raises over $1,800 ahead of Danny Mihnovich Game draw with Ward Melville

Commack senior goalkeeper Jacob Weiss didn’t know Danny Mihnovich, the former captain of Commack’s boys soccer team who died in 2013 from an epilepsy-related seizure.

But Weiss did know about Commack’s Danny Mihnovich Game, an annual tradition that began in 2014 that raises money for a scholarship fund in Mihnovich’s name and raise awareness for SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy).

So, when he was assigned in class to work on a community service project, he knew exactly where to start. With an original goal of $1,000, Weiss helped raise over $1,800 by selling purple T-shirts — the color associated with epilepsy awareness — and connecting with local businesses to ask for contributions.

“Going into it, I didn’t know how big it was going to get,” Weiss said. “Almost doubling my goal, it makes me feel incredible.”

For someone like Mihnovich, a fierce competitor, Monday’s game against Ward Melville epitomized exactly what he was all about.

“It’s always a tough, scrappy game against Ward Melville,” Commack coach Dave Moran said. “And that’s the way Danny would have wanted it … We know he was here today.”

Commack hosted and tied Ward Melville in a thrilling 1-1 overtime draw in Suffolk’s League II. While the Cougars dominated possession in the first half, Ward Melville capitalized on its opportunity in the 27th minute when Johnny Glennon’s throw-in found the feet of his brother, Ryan Glennon.

Ryan Glennon used the outside of his right foot to turn inwards, slipping a pass into the box where sophomore Evren Ataman scored the opening goal.

Commack (9-1-1) had trailed against Ward Melville (6-4-1) on Sept. 9 before Ryan Curcio scored the tying goal in the second half to force overtime. As Commack’s offense pressured a stout Ward Melville defense led by Luke Erickson and Derek Clarke, Commack’s Paul Maricevic lofted a terrific ball into the box with just 8:29 to play.

Fittingly, Curcio was there to receive it. The senior took a great touch and lofted his shot over Ward Melville sophomore goalie James Wright to score and force overtime.

Yet there would be no brace coming for Curcio, albeit through zero fault of his own. Wright was brilliant for Ward Melville in the second half, making eight saves with another two in overtime.

“He’s making save after save after save to keep us in the game,” Ward Melville coach Rocco Vetro said. “I’m so proud of him.”

The joy from Ward Melville’s bench was palpable at the final whistle, pride at a well-played game against the defending Class AAA state champions.

Commack’s sideline, meanwhile, was full of frustration, particularly with the Cougars coming off their first loss of the season the week prior.

“We just missed too many chances in front of the box,” Moran said. “If you don’t finish your chances, you don’t get to win a game.”

By Michael Sicoli

michael.sicoli@newsday.com

Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.