Austin Fitzpatrick set a goal for himself going into his junior lacrosse season at Riverhead: finish the year with a collegiate commitment.
After being brought up to varsity his freshman season, there was no doubt that Fitzpatrick was going to be something special. Riverhead head coach Vic Guadagnino saw it from day one.
“He’s always been a very coachable kid,” Guadagnino said. “Very focused and incredibly reliable for our program.”
This past year he took on more responsibility on the attacking end and shined instead of shying away from the spotlight. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it.
Fitzpatrick traveled all over to get his name out there. It’s the only way to really get noticed. He participated in the Maverik Showtime National Recruiting Spotlight, played in the Brogden Cup and he made the Long Island team in the Brine National Lacrosse Classic two years in a row.
It all led up to his junior season at Riverhead. About halfway through the season, Riverhead was matched up against Walt Whitman in a must-win situation in order to make the playoffs. NYIT was in attendance.
It just so happened to be his best game of the season. With seconds left on the clock, Fitzpatrick won the game for the Blue Waves.
“The assistant coach saw that game and then called the head coach,” Fitzpatrick said. “Then he came to see me play against Copiague.”
And of course against Copiague, which struggled to get any wins during the season, Fitzpatrick lit up the scoreboard.
He finished the season with a career-high 56 points.
Riverhead then faced perennial powerhouse Ward Melville in the playoffs, playing to a 12-6 defeat. Fitzpatrick’s performance in that game however, earned him an offer.
“I guess they really liked how I played in that game,” Fitzpatrick said.
They offered a scholarship to Fitzpatrick in June and understandably an answer was wanted by the end of July.
“I visited and really enjoyed my stay,” Fitzpatrick said. “In the end it was the best option.”
He verbally committed to Division II NYIT on July 23.
“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” Fitzpatrick said. “Now I can just play lacrosse, enjoy it and have fun and lift.”
Fitzpatrick, who only plays lacrosse for Riverhead, plans to get stronger for his final season. He recently hooked up with local weightlifter Steve Tria at GymNation and is already seeing immediate results.
“I’m looking forward to my final year at Riverhead,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have a lot to accomplish.”
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