Wildcats ands Bulls Clash on Low Field in Holderness, NH - Bulls Prevail in Drammatic Overtime 7-6
Wildcats ands Bulls Clash on Low Field in Holderness, NH - Bulls Prevail in Drammatic Overtime 7-6
One of the most anticipated match ups in the 2007 season unfolded in Holderness, NH this afternoon as two talent laden clubs pushed each other to the limit. Kimball Union struck like lightning as attack man Ryan Hayes (Darien, CT) forced a Holderness clearing miscue and got the ball to teammate Cody Danforth (Milton, VT) who gave Kimball Union a 1-0 lead less than a half minute into the game. Roughly at the five minute mark Holderness capitalized on an extra man goal but Hayes put the Wildcats back up with a wing dodge resulting in an unassisted goal and a 2-1 Wildcat lead. With furious action at both ends of the field and lightning transition, the Wildcats were denied time and again by Holderness goalie O'Rioroan while Holderness scored twice to lead 3-2 after one.
Wildcats ands Bulls Clash on Low Field in Holderness, NH - Bulls Prevail in Drammatic Overtime 7-6
One of the most anticipated match ups in the 2007 season unfolded in Holderness, NH this afternoon as two talent laden clubs pushed each other to the limit. Kimball Union struck like lightning as attack man Ryan Hayes (Darien, CT) forced a Holderness clearing miscue and got the ball to teammate Cody Danforth (Milton, VT) who gave Kimball Union a 1-0 lead less than a half minute into the game. Roughly at the five minute mark Holderness capitalized on an extra man goal but Hayes put the Wildcats back up with a wing dodge resulting in an unassisted goal and a 2-1 Wildcat lead. With furious action at both ends of the field and lightning transition, the Wildcats were denied time and again by Holderness goalie O'Rioroan while Holderness scored twice to lead 3-2 after one.
The pace of the game continued in a relentless fashion with great lacrosse being played by both teams. In a game of inches Kimball Union came ever so close but could not score while giving up two more goals to Holderness. With three minutes left in the half, the Wildcats capitalized on a man up opportunity when midfielder David Robinson (Lexington, MA) set Hayes up beautifully to bring Kimball Union to within two as the first half ended.
At the eleven minute mark of the third Robinson, once again working hard in transition, found attack man Jamie Schmidt (Shelburne, VT) to bring the black and orange back to within two. The third period ended 5-4. The fourth period continued at a ferocious pace as both teams battled mental and physical fatigue. With Holderness scoring again with only four minutes left in the game, the Wildcats poured it on as Hayes found Schmidt to bring the Cats within one. A crucial win in the face off ring gave Kimball Union an opportunity that Danforth cashed in on with a great assist from Schmidt. With the score tied at 6 all, the Wildcats went man up. A great opportunity ending in an ever so narrow miss denied the KUA win and sent the game to overtime.
In a rare turn of events in the face off ring, Holderness gained possession and generated a great shot that was deftly turned away by goalie Robert Bleakley (Lexington, MA). In a melee at midfield the cleared ball came loose and into Holderness possession. Again Bleakley denied Holderness in transition but could not regain possession. Settling the ball, Holderness found Wildcat twine at the three minute mark in the overtime period to deny the Wildcats for the second consecutive year by an identical score.
Co- Captain Evan Roberts (West Cornwall, VT) was dominating in the face off ring winning 13 of 17 contests. Long Stick middies Brent Bourgeois (New Haven, VT) and Andrew Richardson (Lancaster, MA) played solid defense and transitioned the ball well. Colin Young (Dedham, MA) turned in a solid performance at close defense with timely body checks and effective clearing. Co-Captain Trevor McGraw (Meriden, NH) and Brian Orr (Medford, MA) played with skill and focus throughout the afternoon. Their constant talk and relentless play was a major factor in the effectiveness of the Kimball Union settled defense.
Kimball Union returns to action on Pope Field in Meriden on Wednesday as they face the League leading high scoring Bobcats from Brewster Academy. The face off is at 3:30. pm.
