Lacrosse game raises funds for two charities – and cements community ties in Manhasset
The love of lacrosse runs so deep in his town, said Kurt Kiess of Manhasset, that his late son Ryan forged lifelong bonds on the elementary school field.
It’s no surprise, then, that the community turned out in full force Friday night for the second annual Munsey Park vs. Shelter Rock charity lacrosse game, which pits fifth-grade players from these two Manhasset elementary schools against each other. – for a good cause. The event raised more than $15,000 for the Farrell Boy Foundation and the Ryan Kiess Memorial Fund, which honors the legacy of three Manhasset lacrosse players killed in a Quogue crash last year.
“It makes me feel really, really good,” said Aiden Flynn, 11, of Shelter Rock Elementary School. “I love lacrosse and it’s a great cause we’re doing this for.
“Lacrosse is kind of life in this town,” added his friend Alexander Dalessio, 11, of Munsey Park Elementary School.
A high-speed Nissan Maxima driven by Justin Mendez, 22, of Brookhaven, collided head-on with a Toyota Prius on the Montauk Highway in Quogue on July 24, killing Mendez and four of the five people aboard the Prius.
Michael Farrell, 20, his brother James Farrell, 25, and childhood friend Ryan Kiess, 25, all from Manhasset, died in the crash, as did their Uber driver, Farhan Zahid, 32, of Bayshore. Kiess’ girlfriend Brianna Maglio, 22, of Garden City, was seriously injured.
Members of the Manhasset lacrosse teams played a game Friday at Manhasset High School to raise money for the Kiess Fund and the Farrell Foundation.
Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The Manhasset trio were star lacrosse players during their high school years, with James Farrell continuing to play at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was team captain his senior year, and Kiess playing for the University of Scranton.
The Farrell Boy Foundation Inc., established after their deaths, provides funds for charitable and educational purposes and scholarships, according to the foundation’s website.
Money raised through the Ryan Kiess Memorial Fund will be used for scholarships, community needs projects and other similar events, according to Kurt Kiess.
The elementary school players sold raffle tickets and solicited donations to benefit the respective foundations. In keeping with the community spirit, the match had no winner and ended in a 3-3 draw.
“I think they’re all proud to be playing for more than just a W in the column,” said Sondra Goettelmann, whose son Cooper played in the game. “It’s a great vibe, atmosphere and lesson for these kids.”
Kurt Kiess, who also played elementary lacrosse at Shelter Rock, acted as an assistant coach during the game. He said the final score, 3-3 in a game honoring three young men, was symbolic.
“It was perfect,” he said. “Manhasset is a family, not just a team.”
With Steve Pfost
Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 and covers the cities of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. Originally from Long Island, she reported on the problems of the East End for 10 years.