Matt Grillo, late Providence commit, not slowing down

Matt Grillo is the latest in a line of Providence attackmen with New York roots. (PC Athletics)

Ward Melville (N.Y.) boys lacrosse coach Jay Negus said he's “still pinching” himself whenever he thinks of what Providence College freshman Matt Grillo did in the final seconds of the 2017 Class A New York state championship game.

The powerhouse program was down 9-4 to Pittsford (N.Y.) with 4:26 left in regulation, and still down three with 1:01 to go. Within one after a fourth straight tally with 27 ticks remaining, the ball went to the diminutive junior, and he forced overtime with by scoring with eight seconds to play.

Grillo was far from finished, as took the ball in the waning moments of overtime, withstood a check across the arm, held strong with possession and finished the game-winning tally with one second left in OT.