Landon Lacrosse 11 Brunswick 6

Mar 24, 2017

3 min read

This matchup of two Bears was also a game against two highly rated teams (depending on which poll you read, the two teams were ranked as high as #5 but no lower than #11). The ‘Wick roster included 17 recruits of big time programs. The ursine testosterone in the air at Bordley Stadium would have terrified any animal traveling near the assembled brown/yellow and brown/orange lacrosse players. To add to the atmosphere, the game was televised and well attended by both sides’ parents. Through 3 quarters, the competition was intense and the score close. Ultimately the MD Bears separated from the CT Bears.

For the 4^th consecutive game, the opponent scored 1^st. A visitor attackman shot and scored at 8:03. The CT netminder was stopping everything shot by the MD players. The scoreboard numbers were equalized based on a sudden play– a ground ball and a great pass by Joey Epstein to Will Oliver for Landon’s 1st goal 2:49.

The Brunswick Bears had a number of big middies and quick attackmen. The Landon Bears close D (Andrew Fowler, Drew Wellington, Cam James, and Carter Johnson), LSM (Brendan Gallagher and Mo Sillah) , multiple two-way middies, and G Shane Corcoran frustrated the visitors’ O. As a ‘Wick middie would get an edge or a Brown-jerseyed attackman would arrive at GLE, a MD Bear would quickly slide to deny the advantage and rotate behind to protect against the anticipated pass.

END OF 1^ST Q MD BEARS 1 CT BEARS 1

The same Brunswick A tallied initial goal of this period and he did at the beginning of the 1^st at 6:59.

With a call from the sidelines of Paul VI, the CT Bears switched into a zone defense daring Landon to shoot outside the visitors’ swarming sticks. The home team responded with an offense designed to crack the ‘Wick Zone.

Zach Johnson threaded a pass through the active D sticks and connected with Evan Schwartz who was crushed, but as he hit the turf, the Freshman back-handed the ball into the CT net. Soon afterwards, the MD Bears forced a turnover and Drew Wellington flew down the field. He saw Jace “Desi” Menendez, got him the ball and @ 3:13 deposited goal #3.

HALFTIME MD BEARS 3 CT BEARS 2

After the break, the ‘Wick zone required precise passes and quick releases by the shooters; the CT D were good at covering space and intercepting lazy passes. Nate Buller, who was being “faced” by an athletic middie, lasered the ball to Will Oliver (oddly there are 6 “Will’s” on the Landon roster) who buried it past the CT netminder @6:36.

The visitors did not back down and tied the score with goals at 5:50 and 4:10.

Nate again demonstrated his ability to pass and moved the ball cross the crease where Joey faked and shot for the go-ahead score @3:35

END OF 3^RD Q MD BEARS 5 CT BEARS 4

The dominance of Justin Shockey (18/20 at the X) started to wear down the ‘Wick team.

His wins (with the help of his wing men John Geppert and Andrew) were the predicates to +2 on the BD Bear side of the scoreboard. First, @10:15 Garrett Kurtz received the ball and connected with Zach Johnson for a goal. After FOGO island captured possession again , the spheroid moved from Nate to John, who cranked it past the Brunswick G @9:22.

The Brown/Yellow Bears earned their 5^th goal at 8:03.

The Brown/White/Orange Bears responded

@6:43 Joey to John Ganother monster shot
@6:25 Joey unassisted after an exceptional dodge

[yes, that’s 0:18 between goals; guess how the Bears got the ball that fast?]

@2:47 Will “OMC” Powell used his speed to get a shot

The CT Bears scored at 0:49.1and @0:46 the X man, Justin, fed Joey for the 11^th MD Bear goal [yes, that 0:03.1 between the two goals].