Braden Tucker leads Massapequa boys lacrosse into state final with four-goal effort

MIDDLETOWN — Massapequa goalie Peter Konstantinakos sat on the turf in the middle of the cage. Defender Justin Farrell had just forced a turnover right in front of him, enabling Luke Garguilo to successfully clear.

The final seconds of the clock ticked away. Lightning struck in the distance as it had throughout the fourth quarter, just far enough away to keep the game going.

And then Massapequa’s boys lacrosse team provided the thunder, screaming and running across the field toward Konstantinakos to celebrate Massapequa’s Class A state semifinal win, 13-11, over Section I’s Mamaroneck Thursday at Middletown High School.

Massapequa’s boys lacrosse team had one goal the whole year; win the state championship.

A 13-11 win over Mamaroneck puts the program just one more win away from accomplishing that goal.

The moment that became official👇 pic.twitter.com/hRv1ogSLFG

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) June 12, 2026

“This group of guys is just special,” said Braden Tucker, who had four goals and one assist. “When one’s down, someone picks us up. That’s how it’s been all year. We had one goal all year — go to states — and we’re going to get it.”

Nolan Wieczorek had two goals and six assists to help Massapequa (18-3) book a date with Section III’s West Genessee at 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Class A state championship at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

Both teams were tied at the end of the first, second and third quarters: 1-1, 5-5 and 8-8. Massapequa scored three goals to open the second quarter, two from Tucker and another from Sean Durnin, and Mamaroneck (17-4) responded with four of its own.

Yet the switch flipped for Massapequa in the fourth quarter. What was the plan?

“We put the ball in 12’s stick,” coach Kevin Catalano said of Wieczorek. “He was our guy all year, an All-American this season. You got to trust those guys in big situations. He stepped up, had the confidence and got it done.”

Highlights from Massapequa v Mamaroneck.

MAS’s Tyler Byrnes scores at the end of the shot clock, 7:58 left.

MAS’s Braden Tucker shows off his power and range.

MAS’s Ryan Kiderman buried a shot into the top right corner.

MAS’s Justin Farrell calls game with CTO. pic.twitter.com/dAXaTA5N3o

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) June 12, 2026

Wieczorek had both of his goals and two of his game-high six assists in the fourth quarter. It included a pinpoint pass from behind the cage just over the crossbar for Rocco Spallina to slam down, giving Massapequa a 13-9 lead with 3:35 remaining.

But this wasn’t a one-man army. Every player had their moment. Tyler Byrnes scored with just three seconds left on the shot clock with 7:58 left, roaring and pumping his right arm in the air. Tucker — who Catalano said “wanted it more than anybody” — added to his five-point day with a caused turnover with 5:28 left, setting up a possession where Wieczorek’s shot ended up in the top right corner.

The whole team fed off each other like moths to a flame, and it wasn’t without reason. Massapequa had lost to Mamaroneck, 16-10, in March. That gave Massapequa what Wieczorek called “the competitive edge,” with Catalano adding that “these boys thrive on that.” And it showed.

“It’s a special feeling,” Wieczorek said. “We’re just looking forward to getting to practice tomorrow, practice Saturday and put a show on Sunday.”