Senior Mitchell Kozak made Floral Park Memorial high school history April 16 when he became the school’s all-time leader in career goals during a varsity boys’ lacrosse game against Seaford High School.
“This accomplishment means a lot as I finish off my long career at Floral Park and is a testament to the hard work put in over my time here,” said Kozak.
Ryan Obloj, the varsity lacrosse coach for Floral Park Memorial, said the previous all-time career goals record was 155 goals. Kozak is currently at 159 goals with three games left in the season.
Kozak plays attack, which can be explained as the scoring position. There are three attackmen on each team. He is also the quarterback of the Floral Park Memorial high school football team.
Kozak is a six-year varsity player and was brought up to varsity in seventh grade. Obloj said he was more of an extra man player in seventh grade due to his size and scored 12 points that year. The following year, Kozak contributed 33 points to the team during the season.
In lacrosse, points are defined as both assists and goals scored. Assists and goals count for the same amount. For example, if a player has 40 assists and 30 goals, then he would have 70 points.
Obloj said Kozak ended up with more than 60 points in both his freshman and sophomore years. He also received all-county honors as a sophomore.
“That’s where he kind of blossomed into the player that he is today,” said Obloj.
Kozak continued his run with 50 points in his junior year and captured another all-county honors as a junior. Now in his senior year, Obloj said he is on pace for another 50- point season.
“Mitch is a lacrosse junky,” said Obloj. “He lives and breathes it. You’ll see him a lot of times outside of practice working, and in return, he’s got a great skill set.”
Obloj said Kozak is currently the captain of the varsity lacrosse team.
“He’s one of those guys that everyone looks up to,” said Obloj.
Kozak will be attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, to play Division I lacrosse next year.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to play at the next level with some very talented players, which is something I have always wanted to do,” said Kozak.
