WESTON — Ryan Metsis (WMHS senior) and his brother Nick Metsis (WMHS sophomore) participated in the Heritage Games representing the Greece Lacrosse Association in the U19 division and took home the Heritage Cup going 4-1. The games took place in Weston over Memorial Day Weekend. Ryan played the same position as he does for Wakefield High as a long stick defensive midfielder and Nick played as an offensive midfielder.
They only lost in their first matchup against Israel (Olive) falling 6-5.
“It was our first game of the weekend and since we had never played together before, we were still getting a feel for each other and did not have good communication,” Nick Metsis said.
Team Greece is comprised of 23 athletes hailing from as far as Seattle and Canada.
Later on Saturday evening, Greece played Team Ireland and beat them solidly, 10-2. Ryan had a great behind the back pass when he was tripled teamed and enabled the offense to set up to score.
Sunday was a rematch against Israel (Olive) and when Israel tied it up 5-5 with 7 seconds remaining in the game, the Greek team rallied and won in sudden death in a 1v1 face off to be victorious 6-5.
The final for the championship was played on Sunday against The Haudenosaunee Jr. Nationals Development Team. They turned out to be no match for Greece who easily clinched the win going 10-3. Through the entire game series, Nick got 5 goals and 10 assists and Ryan scored one goal.
The Haudenosaunee team is credited with the birth of lacrosse back in the 11th century where they often used the sport to develop their warriors and settle disputes. They are made up of 5 tribes in the Central New York and Southern Canada region together that make the Haudenosaunee Nation.
This is the second back to back win for Nick who played in the 2024 Heritage Cup for the U15 Greece team and Ryan played for the Men’s Team when the Men’s division came in 12th. Ryan participated with the Men’s team in the World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, NY back in September 2024.
“It was an incredible experience to play lacrosse on the world stage with the best of the best,” Ryan said. He was really impressed by the agility and speed of the Japanese who ended up coming in 4th place behind Canada (1st), USA (2nd) and Haudenosaunee (3rd).
This year’s Heritage Games had 112 teams representing 36 countries competing across Men’s, U-19 Boys, U-15 Boys, U-13 Boys, Women’s and U-15 Girls divisions.
The Heritage Cup is held every Memorial Day weekend to coincide with the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Final Four.