We’ll have to check the archives to figure out how many Rye sophomores have scored five goals in a varsity game, but there’s one name for sure: Colin Nigro.
Nigro’s first goal came with the Garnets trailing by one in the second period. By the time he was done, Rye was leaving Massena Arena with a 7-4 win Friday.
Trailing Section X’s Massena 1-0 after the first period, Nigro evened the score, then added a second goal off a tip from senior Will Weinman to give Rye its first lead. A goal by senior Trevor Dolan made it 3-1 Rye in the middle of the second, but Nigro was just getting started.
His third goal to secure the hat trick – scored with about five minutes left in the second period – was nearly forgotten, after he scored his fourth of the period minutes later. At that point, Rye led 5-1 and Nigro was dreaming of NIL money.
A goal by Rye sophomore Will Niejadlik sent the Garnets to the lockers for the second intermission leading 6-2.
Massena nudged its way back with two goals early in the third to make it 6-4 Rye. But since it had been several minutes since Nigro’s last goal, senior Ryan Draddy said, “How ‘bout another?”
With a nifty assist from Draddy, Nigro found the back of the net for his FIFTH goal of the game.
It was a good team win for the Garnets after a long, five-hour road trip north, and a night Nigro – who has been flashing some serious stick of late – and his family will never forget.
Rye (6-1-1) plays Canton (3-4-1) at 2:45 p.m. Saturday in Massena before returning home.
