Rallying the Troops

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Bryan Gerrato wasn't the biggest player in the huddle, but he was the loudest. The South Side rising senior midfielder contributed plenty on the field as the Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team won an unprecedented fifth straight gold medal at the Empire State Games. Yet it was his presence in the huddle that proved invaluable.

It was Gerrato who set the tone – before each game, during each time out and after each quarter – with some colorful language peppered between words of encouragement. Whenever the coaches finished offering up insight and instruction, Gerrato took the pulpit and ran.

Call his style a cross between Tony Robbins and Eminem. For all his machismo, Gerrato's words before the gold medal game against the Central region on Sunday resonated the most.

"I would die with you boys,'' he yelled at the players surrounding him on the turf at Canisius College. "We're a family. Let's go. It's all about heart. Let's take this gold. Take it from these cocky [guys]. I love you."

It struck the right tone. A little more than a day after the Central region earned an 8-7 overtime win to stun Long Island, Gerrato and Co. roared onto the field and went toe-to-toe with Central for the gold medal. Gerrato left just before halftime after hitting the turf. He'd taken a shot to the midsection while battling for a ground ball.

"I'm not the biggest guy," Gerrato said afterward. "But I just throw myself out there. I take hits and that one got me in the ribs."

It appeared serious. Gerrato hid from the trainers behind a batting cage at halftime doubled over in pain. Teammates assumed he had been throwing up. But when it came time to play, Gerrato bounced up, popped an Advil given to him by a teammate and got back into the huddle – and then the field. But before Long Island ran onto the turf, its motivational speaker offered up another fiery sermon.

"It's all about the gold," Gerrato shouted loud enough to strain a ribcage. "It's all about heart. It's all about family. Let's go!"

Long Island rallied in the second half for a 7-6 win, finishing the four-day tournament 5-1. Gerrato contributed a goal and three assists during the tournament. He was a factor in the box score in four of six games. But if you were close enough to hear the goings on along the sideline, you knew Gerrato's influence extended well beyond the midfield. 

"It's my personality. I'm a loud guy," Gerrato said. "I like taking it upon myself. I like being that guy."

There's no doubt Gerrato, who has already committed to the U.S. Naval Academy, is a natural leader. He was the guy an entire team of all-stars rallied behind. Now he's a champion too.