Exeter Big Red Win the Ground Ball Battle – Prevail 8-3 over Wildcats
In unusually warm May temperatures in Meriden, the Kimball Union Academy Wildcats hosted the Big Red of Phillips Exeter Academy this afternoon on Pope Field. The Wildcats, focused and confident after successive wins over Brewster and Vermont, knew the ground ball contest was a critical aspect of any formula for success against Exeter - a team that boasted strong long pole defenders reputed as tenacious ground ballers and a patient offense that would exert control for long periods of time. Defending a slow down offense was not something that predicted success for Kimball Union and ball control was all important. Unfortunately Exeter scored at the 4:13 mark of the first period to take an early 1 – 0 lead, extending same to 2-0 with only 40 seconds left in the period. Twenty seconds later Ryan Henry (Norwood, MA) found Exeter twine as the Wildcats struggled to get on track. Co-Captain Evan Roberts (West Cornwall, VT) got the assist. Unfortunately several errant clears and an inability to field ground balls cleanly, allowed Exeter to maintain possession and continue to execute a slow down offense which forced the Wildcats to continue to expend energy on the defensive end. Two more Exeter goals, one at 5:42 and another at 3:42 gave the visitors a comfortable 4-2 lead at the half. Two more Exeter goals in the third extended Exeter’s lead to 6-1 and put the game nearly out of reach for the Wildcats. Still determined, Kimball Union started the fourth with a fast break goal off the face off as Ryan Hayes (Darien, CT) finished nicely to reduce the Exeter lead to 6-2. The assist again went to Roberts. Unfortunately the Big Red answered a minute later to all but secure the victory. Kimball Union’s David Robinson (Lexington, MA) found the Exeter net one more time at the 5:03 mark, assisted by Scott Crawford (Mystic, CT). But once again Exeter answered to end the contest at 8-3. Rob Bleakley (Lexington, MA) again defended between the pipes and registered 13 saves. In contrast to 21 shots for Exeter, the Wildcats could not sustain offensive pressure as they struggled to generate 10 shots on the Exeter goal on the day. Kimball Union was awarded five penalties as opposed to none for Exeter. One bright spot on the day was a 100% success mark for the Wildcat Man Down Defense, holding Exeter scoreless in five attempts. Roberts won seven face off contests out of 15, at times winning the draw but losing the ground ball to Exeter long poles. New to a long stick, Matt Parker (Shelburne, VT) played well at close defense. The Wildcats travel to Massachusetts on Friday afternoon as they tangle with Phillips Academy. The face off is slated for 6:00 pm.