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05/11/2022 12:00 AMAs a goalkeeper, Michael Masto knows that along with stopping shots, he always needs to be a leader for his team. Now a junior on the North Haven boys’ lacrosse team, Michael is getting an opportunity to do both of those things as the starting goalie and a captain for the Nighthawks.
Michael started playing lacrosse in North Haven’s recreational league at the age of eight. He was encouraged to play by Pete Arsich, who was Michael’s youth football coach at the time. Arsich ended up coaching Michael throughout his entire youth career and was a big inspiration for Michael as he became a lacrosse player.
As soon as he started with lacrosse, Michael was playing the goalkeeper position. It was difficult at first since Michael had no experience in goal. He then met Eric Bailey, the director of Team Connecticut.
Michael joined the program at age 11 and is now finishing out his final year with Team Connecticut. Michael says that Team Connecticut not only taught him the fundamentals of being a goalie, but also how to have a winning mindset every time he steps on the field.
“Growing up, I was known as a competitor. I was always competitive. Winning is very important to me. Those early days in my life shaped me into the player I am today,” says Michael. “[Team Connecticut] taught me how to treat each game on its own. You have to have the mindset that you’re going to win. I try to carry that mindset through my team.”
Although his freshman season was canceled, Michael did get to play in some winter games with the high school team. Michael served as the starting goalie in those contests then took on that role when he returned for his sophomore year. Being thrown into the varsity fray right away didn’t faze Michael, who embraced the challenge and viewed it as a way to improve.
“It was a great way to grow my game. My age wasn’t a big priority,” Michael says. “I adapted very quickly and was a leader right away. As a goalie, I needed to be a leader, despite my age.”
Michael is maintaining his role as North Haven’s starting goalie in his junior season. This year marks the Nighthawks’ first campaign with new Head Coach Justin Blood. Michael feels that he’s having his best season to date, and a lot of that is because of Blood and North Haven’s coaching staff. Michael has confidence in his coaches and believes that they will help both him and the program ascend to a higher level.
Coach Blood says that Michael is displaying all of the traits you want to see in a leader and a goalkeeper. Blood praises the junior for setting a great example for his teammates and feels that he has a bright future ahead of him with both the Nighthawks and beyond.
“Michael has brought incredible work ethic, passion, and leadership to the North Haven boys’ lacrosse program,” says Blood. “He is always available to lend a helping hand to his team and provides structured feedback for his peers. Michael is always responsive, responsible, and coachable.”
Along with the support of the coaching staff, Michael says that his mindset has helped him improve his performance in net. Even if he lets a ball gets past him, Michael stays focused on making the next play. Michael understands his role on the team and knows what he needs to do to help North Haven succeed.
“When I’m on the field, the biggest thing for me is short memory. As soon as a ball goes in, I’m on to the next play. It’s my job to keep the team in the game,” Michael says. “I have to stop as many balls as I can to help my team win. I don’t need the light in my eyes. I’m not the scorer. I know my role on the team, and it’s really important to me.”
Michael realizes that he’s not in it alone when he’s manning the goal. Michael says that the trio of juniors Chayse Mangino and Sal DeMaio and freshman Tyler Dimauro are leading the best defensive corps that he’s ever played behind.
Michael was also named one of North Haven’s captains alongside seniors Jake Hines and Sebastian Derubeis this season. Michael says his teammates have always recognized him as a leader, and now he wants to do everything in his power to prove that their trust in him was for a good purpose.
“My teammates recognized that I never cared about my age growing up. I would always be there for my teammates. They know I want to make plays for them and that I have their back,” says Michael. “I’m big on energy and awareness on the field. I know the defense like the back of my hands. I’m all-in on winning, and I’m all-in on team effort.”
Michael is also a member of North Haven’s football team will be a captain in his senior season. Michael says that playing football has helped him improve in lacrosse and learn how to be a much-tougher and more-disciplined player.
As a member of the North Haven boys’ lacrosse team, Michael has already taken away many lessons that will stick with him after graduation. With a few games left in his junior year and a full senior season still remaining, Michael is excited to keep getting back on the field and continue leaving it all on the line, just like his teammates do for him.
“It means everything to me. This program has taught me so many lessons in my life that I will keep with me forever,” Michael says. “The group of guys with me are my family. Family means the guys you look to, knowing they work their butt off every single day for you. They’re brothers to me. They put their body on the line for me, so I’ll put my body on the line for them.”