The 2021 hockey season is finally here! After a long, unwanted, break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The St. Anthony’s Hockey Team is back! This season the team is being led by Captain, Robert Lane, and Assistants Michael Luzapone and Luca Mandato. These three seniors are more than ready to lead us to victory! After making it to the championship series last season, and going 1-2 against rival Chaminade in 2020, the team was hoping to make this short season just as successful.
Senior defensemen, #4, Bobby Lane has been playing on the Friar hockey club team since his freshmen year. As a skilled player, he made the junior varsity team and was an assistant captain. The following year, as a sophomore, he made the varsity squad, and in 11th grade, Bobby was selected as an assistant captain. His commitment to hockey and SA again has earned him the honor of leading the Friars as Captain in his senior year. When speaking to Bobby, he discussed many expectations he has for the team this year. He wants the team to work hard, get the job done, win, and most importantly give 100 percent all the time. Bobby has set his own expectations for himself as well. He is leading by example and supporting his teammates no matter what; his goal is to be a good role model so that one day when it’s time for his “boys” to be captains of a team, they know how to lead with pride and strength.
Michael Luzopone, #97, is a senior who has been playing on the varsity hockey team for two years as a forward. This year he is an assistant captain with big dreams for the team; Mike’s leadership style is staying driven and keeping his team motivated even when things aren’t going their way. Unfortunately, there are no playoffs this year, but that’s not stopping Mike from having incredible expectations for the team. 110 percent effort given in every game is the way to fame. Mike’s goal for the team is to always improve and be prepared, and success will follow closely behind. In the fall of 2021, Mike will either be attending SUNY Cortland or SUNY Farmingdale. Additionally, Luca Mandato, #18, is assuming the role of assistant captain in his second year on varsity as a forward. Luca plans to attend Fairfield in the fall after having a great four years at St. Anthony’s.
With a short season on the ice, these different leadership styles will certainly have an important role in creating a great outcome; with all the hard work these boys put in, nothing less than greatness is expected. The Friar’s last game was 3/24/21, and although they did not win, the effort and defense were incredible. They truly played a great game against Iona Prep to end the season.
This season only consisted of five games against Chaminade High School, Kellenberg Memorial High School, St. Mary’s High School, and Iona Preparatory School. The Friars are 2-3 after four games. These strong leaders definitely pulled through on their promise to keep the team unified and victorious.
Nicola Teutonico is a sophomore at St. Anthony’s High School in her first year writing for The Friar Scoreboard. She enjoys journalism and writing for fun. She is also part of the Future Business Leaders Club, The Paduan, and Special Needs Ministry Club.
