Frank Sangiovanni Leads College Lacrosse Conference in Goals
He’s far away from where he grew up, but Frank Sangiovanni is making himself right at home at SUNY College at Plattsburgh where he is coming off an amazing season that included leading the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in goals.
In 15 games this past spring, the 5’9, 165 lb. Sangiovanni scored 48 times and added nine assists for 57 points. His 3.8 points per game placed him third in the SUNYAC. The star attack netted four game winning goals, too. He fired off 96 shots (70 on goal) and also tallied nine man-up goals for Plattsburgh, which finished the year with a 9-6 mark, narrowly missing a post-season berth.
Sangiovanni is enjoying this period in his life along with his time on campus. “It’s fun,” he said during a brief interview early in the summer. “I’m very happy with my decision” to attend Plattsburgh, he added. He expects to graduate in December 2008 with a degree in communications and professional business.
Despite leading the conference in goals, Sangiovanni was left off the All-SUNYAC team. “I am disappointed that the league did not recognize Frank Sangiovanni for his valuable contributions to our team,” said P.J. Kavanagh, Plattsburgh’s coach. It’s an injustice that has left many scratching their heads.
A member of Huntington High School’s Class of 2004, Sangiovanni scored 30 goals and added 17 assists as a senior, earning All-County lacrosse honors. The performance helped the Blue Devils finish 12-4, after an upset loss in the Suffolk playoffs.
In addition to starring with the Blue Devils on the lacrosse field, Sangiovanni was one of the wrestling team’s most important members throughout his high school varsity career. He proved his mettle in both dual meets and tournaments and was known as one of the hardest workers in the practice room. “Frank is an all-around great guy and he meant a lot to our program,” said Travis Smith, an assistant wrestling coach. “He helped us win many championships over the years.”
But, at Plattsburgh it’s all lacrosse for Sangiovanni, who grew up across the street from Blue Devil Stadium and the high school. He has fit right into the college program and developed a good relationship with Kavanagh. “I get along well with the coach,” he said. It’s hard to believe a person not getting along well with Sangiovanni, who is one of the most well liked Huntington athletes of the past decade.
He’s getting the job done in the college game. Just as impressive as his 48 goals is the fact that Sangiovanni turned the ball over only twice this spring, despite constantly handling it. He’s enjoyed some memorable days. The Huntington alumnus notched eight points this past season against both SUNY College at Oswego and the University of New England. He scored six goals against Oswego on that April 14 afternoon and had a five goal day on six other occasions.
With one season remaining in his college career Sangiovanni appears headed for an even bigger offensive showing, one that could earn him All-American honors. If that happens it would make being left off the All-SUNYAC team quickly disappear from his memory.
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