Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Luke Mizro and his older brother, Jacob Morin, grew up playing their own Army versus Navy lacrosse matchups in their Auburn, New York, backyard. The duo often fed each other passes, taking game-like shots and imagining themselves scoring big-time goals.

Morin, who’s six years older, has played in the real game four times. From 2020-24, Morin starred for Army, scoring three times against Navy in his career. Mizro will soon get his chance to do the same.

“I want to create my own path, but (Morin) pushes me to live up to it,” Mizro said.

As a senior at Skaneateles High School, Mizro excels in both hockey and lacrosse. As a midfielder, Mizro scored 31 goals in 2023. On the ice in his junior season, he tallied 37 points in 20 games en route to an undefeated season and state championship. Following his senior year, Mizro will follow in his brother’s footsteps and play lacrosse at West Point.

Before transferring to Skaneateles ahead of his junior season, Mizro was a standout at Auburn High School. In April 2023, the Maroons trailed in the third quarter against East Syracuse Minoa. Amid a torrid stretch to mount a comeback, Mizro completed it with a goal to take the lead.

For Auburn head coach Matt Smith, who has been coaching Mizro since he was around 8 years old, the goal was a culmination of years of work. Though his talent was always there.

“It was immediate,” Smith said of Mizro. “He had a big body, big shot and was not afraid to use it.”

After Mizro’s sophomore year, he transferred to Skaneateles, a hockey powerhouse in central New York. The move appeared to be an opportunity to develop Mizro’s secondary sport. However, he viewed it as a chance to take skills from the ice to the lacrosse field and vice versa. The hand-eye coordination, mixed with open ice or field agility makes the two sports similar to work off of.

In his first season with the Lakers’ hockey team, he scored 19 times. Skaneateles outscored its opponents by a combined 159-21 margin. The season culminated in a state championship win over Queensbury. Mizro notched a hat trick in the first round and finished with six points in the New York High School Section II Tournament.

“Nothing has hit harder than that state championship win,” Mizro said. “It all paid off, and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The day after his hockey team finished their season, Mizro began his lacrosse campaign. Mizro finished the season with 49 goal contributions from the midfield, and helped the Lakers finish atop their division and second in their conference. Skaneateles ultimately fell short in the sectional championship, but his first season at the school was filled with highlights.

Hailey Hoang | Design Editor

Before representing any team for Skaneateles, Mizro committed to Army’s men’s lacrosse program on Sept. 28, 2023. Despite interest from Rutgers, the decision wasn’t too difficult for him, partly because of his brother’s legacy.

Morin started every game at Army from 2022-24. During his final season, he was named a unanimous All-American and First-Team All-Patriot League selection. Morin helped Army to Patriot League regular-season championships in his final two seasons and an NCAA Tournament round one win in 2023.

Through Morin, Mizro got to know the Black Knights’ coaching staff well. Army head coach Joe Alberici also is an Auburn native, knowing the family from years past.

However, the connections weren’t the only reason Mizro chose Army. He appreciates the historic program, the campus and people who the United States Military Academy attracts. Morin sees his little brother fitting in well.

“Knowing what he’ll have there and the people he’ll be surrounded by makes me unbelievably happy for him,” Morin said.

Mizro’s accomplishments have also stretched to the national circuit. He was recently selected to the United States 2024 U18 boys lacrosse select team among a group of 48 players.

After multiple regional tryouts, more than 150 players were selected for a three-day combine in late July. Mizro was named to the team after the combine. He competed in a development camp from Sept. 20-22 and will play in Sparks, Maryland, for the Brogden Cup from Oct. 25-27.

Mizro still has one more high school season to make his mark in both hockey and lacrosse. While he’s already experienced a state championship, he’s hungry for another in both sports.

Scoring big goals in big moments started in the backyard with Morin. Scrimmages against his brothers turned into playing on competitive travel teams, excelling on high school squads and a national team invite. But now, he’s set to carry on the family legacy.

“I always wanted (Mizro) to be his own person and follow the path that excited him most,” Morin said. “But him wanting to go to West Point is one of the most rewarding feelings as a big brother.”

Published on October 17, 2024 at 12:18 am

Contact Will: wtmoffit@syr.edu