Gonzaga 7 Landon 2

About 4 years ago, after a particularly close game against the Purple Eagles, someone commented “Watch out for them, they can recruit, have ample scholarship funds and their tuition is relatively lower than any IAC school.” That prediction came to full fruition today. Gonzaga put a team with numbers and deep talent on the field.

In contrast, the Bears were playing without 5 key midfielders (2 seniors, 2 juniors and a freshman), the only returning senior attackman and a defender. To add to the challenge, the game time temperature was in the high 80s and the field’s AstroTurf reflects the heat. That meant, the visitors rotated six middies, had two sophomores, two juniors and one senior get significant time at attack and the D included one sophomore as a starter and another 2015 player with major playing time. The goalie is another 4^th Former as they are also known.

Given all those caveats, it was remarkable that the Bears were down only 4-2 at half—goals by Colton Rupp @ 5:06 of the 1^st period and Zac Buller on an assist from Sam Lynch @ 6:24 of the second.

The Bears befuddled the Purple Eagles with a variety of zone defenses which required them to communicate and switch. They did; led by long poles– Mike Rhoads, Andrew Mitchell, Connor Lynch, Marshall Peters, Taylor Trumbower (all 2013), Trey Lundelius (2014) plus Kolby Williams and Paul Padalino (2015). Out front a number of SSDMs played hard—Brandon Johnson and Leo Falcone. The last Bear protecting the goal was 2015 Hunter Sells.

The Purple Eagles outshot the visitors 37 to 10, testament to their excellence defense and some sharpshooters for the home team. A couple of lasers came beyond the MLL 2 point line.

Khari   Baten “That’s a Bear” Award

Hunter   Sells

13   saves, 3 GBs and 1 CT

Onto the 1st IAC game on Friday!