U-32 boys lacrosse trounces Montpelier
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Toolbox
By Anna Grearson Staff Writer - Published: May 6, 2007
EAST MONTPELIER – The U-32 boys lacrosse team fashioned its own version of Green Up day with an 8-0 win over rival (and green-clad) Montpelier on Saturday.
"Our approach today was that everybody was going to play if we could get them in, we were going to make good passes to each other," U-32 coach Lee Morse said. "Today we were hoping to get more assists on every goal than just guys going to the goal and trying to score."
The Raiders wasted no time getting on the board, as Will Curchin scored on the opening possession and teammates Chris Shapiro and Tucker LaClair added goals of their own to make it a 3-0 game after one quarter.
Shapiro took a pass from Curchin and reached around the right post for a 2-0 U-32 advantage and Shapiro assisted LaClair on the third Raider goal, a straight shot past Montpelier goalie Kolby Martineau.
The Solons came up with nine ground balls in the first quarter and took a handful of quality shots, but we unable to crack U-32 goalie Gordon Matheson.
Taylor Gerrish started the second quarter with a goal, assisted by Shapiro, putting the Raiders up 4-0. Montpelier held U-32 scoreless for most of the rest of the half, but the Raiders fired three shots roughly 30 seconds apart (Todd Murphy, Jeremy Pextong and Shapiro) for a 7-0 lead at halftime.
U-32 dominated the possession time in the second half, coming up with 22 ground balls to Montpelier's 10, and fired over three times as many shots on goal. Montpelier was able to contain the Raiders, however, and held U-32 to just one second-half goal.
Shaun Young-Eagle found the back of the net off an assist by Pat Sikora with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter for the 8-0 final.
"We were trying to develop a team approach, top to bottom, in every game, but this one in particular because it was against their rivals, Montpelier," Morse said.
The Montpelier defense forced a failure to advance midway through the fourth, but the Solons were unable to put together a scoring drive.
"I thought U-32 played well today," Montpelier coach Myles Chater said. "We had a hard time gaining possession of the ball and maintaining possession of the ball. It was a hard game today."
The Raiders saw eight goals from seven different players, four of which were assisted, and two of the four team captains had a hand in two of U-32's goals.
"I'm very proud of our captains for really leading this team today," Morse said. "They know that in the past, we've struggled, we split with Montpelier the last couple years, so protecting our turf at home was huge, and that really was the captains who took that on their shoulder – Gordon Matheson, Todd Murphy, Pat Sikora and Bob Fitch. This is their fourth year in this program with me. All my players are very special to me, and in particular, these captains have taken this team and in a sense have become assistant coaches."
Josh Pickel and Matheson combined for five saves for U-32, which improves to 5-1-1 and will host St. Johnsbury on Tuesday.
Morse lauded the play of Martineau, who made 13 saves for Montpelier, and the young Solons team.
"Montpelier and U-32 has a rivalry, but it's a joy playing against Myles Chater and his team because he always has a team that plays with class," Morse said. "No matter what the outcome, it's nice to win, but I think Montpelier is definitely a classy organization. They have young players that are developing, and their goalie, I think he really has an opportunity to become an amazing goalie."
The Solons drop to 0-4-1 and will play at Rice on Tuesday.
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