LANDON LACROSSE 8 PAUL VI 00

Lacrosse is a team sport and today’s game (actually the week’s games) proves that truism. For 96 consecutive minutes, the Bears shut out their opponents (n.b. StA’s goals for average was 8.3 and Paul VI’s was 12). The obvious analysis would focus on the Bears’ defense, but part of this unusual streak is attributable to a team effort, like:

· Aggressive rides by the attackmen that cause failed clears by their opponents and that frequently result in Landon goals;
· Transition defense by the middies, whose primary job is the O zone, but who turn their opposite numbers back and stifle them in their offensive sets;
· Blocked shots, intercepted or tipped passes, ground balls and caused turnovers by a variety of players—not all of these events are captured by the scorekeeper;
· An incredibly efficient Bear offense which possesses the ball when needed and which puts balls on cage or in the back of the nets plus beating their opponents to the end line after a shot to retain the ball, and
· Every Bear, who was suited up, played; fresh legs contribute to the boys’ ability to press out on the D end and to attack in the O zone!

On a day in which the Bears set a mark for defense (Coach Bordley does not remember prior back-to-back shut outs, Sean O’Brine (sic and this error will be explained later) and Matt Potolicchio had 4 point days!

The two teams cautiously tested each other out for most of the first quarter, but the Bears converted on their 1^st EMO effort (a 30 second advantage). A well designed play ended with Charlie Schnider feeding Matt with 0:35.3 remaining in the period.

END OF 1^ST Q BEARS 1 PANTHERS 0

Peter Laco unleashed a shot from the left alley and got the Bears’ offense started at 11:08.

Soon thereafter, the Panther goalie was peppered by several short range shots and the ball rebounded out to where Sean O’Brine crosse’s gathered it up. The sophomore buried it for the team’s 3^rd goal at 9:04. [though he is a world class coach, Coach Bordley is not a world class speller and his initial team roster and a few of the early season scorebooks spelled this special attackman’s mane as “O’Brine” (sic). Those who know lacrosse equipment know Brine© and would accept the coach’s error as a subconscious compliment. It seemed appropriate to share this quirky fact in conjunction with Sean’s 4 point game!)

At the end of an EMO by Paul VI, Alex Joyce made a great save, then made a quick, decisive outlet pass that started an electric fast break and ended with the ball being passed to Sean O’Brien, who then found Taylor Valencia, who scored before the Panthers’ defense could organize; time of the goal was 5:10. The soph attackman, Sean had the ball at X and in a timing move passed to a cutting at Matt 4:14 for goal #5.

HALFTIME BEARS 5 PANTHERS 0

To start the 3^rd quarter, Peter fed Sean for a goal at 8:25. This period is emblematic of the Bear D’s efforts. In order of their numbers, Messrs. Joyce (10 saves, zero goals) , Povich, Strabo, Garrett, Pena, Falcone, Lamson(3/6 on FOs), Rhoads, Dunigan, Johnson, Falk, Petersand a host of other players made life miserable for the Panthers—good body checks, smart slides, pressing in the passing lanes, exceptional poke checks and great communication were the reasons why they blanketed their opponents. The D was every effective on EMD holding the Panthers to ZERO on 5 advantages.

END OF 3^rd Q BEARS 6 PANTHERS 0

During this last period, the younger Bears displayed their skills; the names included, in order of numbers, Prutting (4 saves, zero goals), Lynch, Buller, Murphy (3/3 at the X), Gansler, Axelson, Vassos, Keena, Lundelius, Kelso, Trumbower, Kleiner, Lynch, Buckingham, Murty (2 saves, zero goals) and Fitzgerald.

There was offensive prowess in the last quarter, Matt scored an unassisted goal at 10:44 and then Matt was fed at 9:46 by Charlie to reach a total of 4 goals by #9 and the 8^th by the Bears.

FINAL SCORE BEARS 8 PANTHERS 0

PLAYER	GOAL(s)	ASSIST(s)	POINT(s)
Potolicchio	4		4
O’Brien	2	2	4
Schnider		2	2
Laco	1	1	2
Valencia	1		1

GBs–Team, Opponents, Bear leader

Team 21

Opponents 13

Bear leader Fellows with 3

Shots–Team, Opponents, Bear leader

Team 30

Opponents 22

Bear leader Potolicchio with 10

Face-offs

Lamson 3/6

Murphy 3/3

Goalie Saves Goals Against

Joyce 10 0

Prutting 4 0

Murty 2 0

KHARI BATEN “THAT’S A BEAR’ AWARD reflects the values and spirit of Khari, who contributed in many ways. To quote a man, who knew him well and who knows his current boys well: “enthusiasm, spirit, and dedication to the team have contributed to the wonderful chemistry that this team has.” As pictured here, ROBERT LEACHMAN, due to no fault of his own (in fact after lots of hard work to get ready), was unable to play. His presence on the sidelines, his observations of the play and his support of his boys embody what this AWARD reflects.