LANDON LAX 6 THE HILL ACADEMY 7

The Bears’ first 2012 loss was the consequence of the first visit by a Canadian Team to Landon, THA (can’t find a nickname) 7 Bears 6.  They traveled 1,000 miles on their spring break and arrived with wins over Gilman, Archbishop Spaulding, URichmond (their club team?), Collegiate, Norfolk Academy, St. Christopher’s and a sole loss to Calvert Hall. To quote THA’s website, “The Academy’s unique “Learn to Learn” approach offers a complete educational platform, linking the disciplines of athletics and academics.”

THA’s face off stud, Zach Miller, (future Denver Pioneer from Steamburg, NY) controlled the ball the first 5 times at the X (Sam Lamson’s absence may have added to this advantage).  While this X success facilitated the visitors’ first goal, an unassisted shot at 8:56 (THA has no roster available and the few names that appear here are at best educated guesses), the Bears responded with two successive scores—Charlie Schnider from Hank Brown at 7:07 and then Peter Laco  from Matt Potolicchio at 5:08 on the clock. The Canadians responded with a 2^nd goal at 4:33. Charlie put the Bears ahead with an unassisted tally at 3:27. Coach Merrill took a time out with 72 seconds remaining in the opening quarter and the ball entered the nets 74 seconds after the resumption of play—NO GOAL.

END of 1^st QUARTER BEARS 3 THA 2

Whatever was said between the periods obviously had impact on the THA players; for they scored the next three goals—at 8:52, 6:41 and 6:16. The Canadians were called for a penalty and the Bears’ EMO moved the ball for a close in shot; the THA goal made a spectacular save, but Rob Dunigan had quick reflexes and equally adroit hands, scooped up the ball and scored the Bears’ 4^th goal at 4:26. A Canadian commentator, well versed in the vocabulary of hockey, might label this as a garbage goal, but it was a thing of beauty. Demonstrating even greater shooting skills,  Rob received a nice pass from Hank at 3:18 to even the score.

AT THE HALF BEARS 5 THA 5

It would appear that the halftime instructions of both staffs must have focused on their respective defenses. For the Bears, Alex Joyce made several incredible saves against the Canadians, renowned for their snipping and multiple stick fakes; the Bears’ stopper blocked 9 of the opponents shots. The Bear defense is a complex set of rules as to position on X and Y axes that define their zone; the collective unit executed these “if then” statements with the precision required of linear thinking. All contributed, but the eight Ground Balls, four Caused Turnovers and several one man clears of senior co-captain Mark Strabo defined the upper end of performance among the long poles. After all of the scoring of the 1^st half, this period drew a blank.

END of 3rd   QUARTER BEARS 5 THA 5

The last 12 minute period continued the theme of low scoring. THA notched the sixth goal at 9:45. The Bears equaled the score 6-6 at 3:37 on a Charlie goal with an assist from Hank. With last possession, THA put its seventh tally in the back of the net at 0:56 remaining. The Bears lost the face off, but regained possession. The clear play put the ball in the hands of a Landon shooter, but a superb defensive play by the Canadians resulted in a pass out of bounds.

FINAL SCORE THA 7 BEARS 6

The final stats will be published when my confusion over the Bears; 6^th goal is clarified

The   Khari Baten, THAT’S A BEAR AWARD, goes to MARK STRABO, for his 8 GBs,   4CTs and overall intensity of play.

.

NEXT   GAME: 3/22 against   a very good Calverton team, home at   4:15THEN : 3/23 against 2011   #1 HAVERFORD, @ USNA’s Navy Marine   Corps Stadium at 5pm. To buy tickets click on http://i95classic.ticketleap.com/lacrosseplaygroundcom-spring-classic-presented-by-motive-pure/