Kimball Union Wildcats Pounce on Suffield Tigers, 12-3

Wildcats Pounce on Suffield Tigers, 12 -3

Playing under rainy skies on the natural grass of Carver Field for the first time this year, the Wildcats unloaded their offensive arsenal early on Suffield Academy, building a comfortable 4-1 lead in the first period. Sophomore attack man Cody Danforth (Milton, VT) started things off for the Wildcats, sinking a Scott Crawford (Mystic, CT) feed behind an excellent Tiger goalkeeper. One minute later Crawford scored from co- captain Evan Roberts (West Cornwall, VT). Suffield pulled to within one at the 5:39 mark but could not hold off the Wildcats offensive pressure as Ryan Hayes (Darien, CT) and David Robinson (Lexington. MA) each scored before the end of the first period with assists going to Jamie Schmidt (Shelburne, VT) and Hayes respectively.

Leading 6-2 at the top of the second, Trevor McDonald (Niwot, CO) scored a nice goal when Roberts found him open in the high crease. Schmidt scored his first goal of the day as Roberts registered his third assist. Suffield finally broke through the Black and Orange defense to bring the Tigers to within four at the half.

In one final gasp, Suffield scored one more time at the top of the third but could not hold back the surging Wildcats as Roberts scored from Robinson and Schmidt scored his second goal of the game unassisted. Period four was all Wildcat as the offense turned up the heat, pushing Suffield back on their heels. Hayes and Crawford each registered two more goals while Robinson, Crawford, Roberts and long stick middie Andrew Richardson (Lancaster, MA) assisted respectively.

The Wildcat defense broke down the Tiger offense as co-captain Trevor McGraw (Meriden, NH) teamed up with Brian Orr (Medford, MA), Matt Parker (Shelburne, VT) and Nathan Plummer (Meriden, NH) to keep Suffield off balance with multiple defenses and solid ground ball work. In the defensive effort, Zach Dayno (Thetford, VT) showed excellent promise at the long stick middie position as he played with intelligence and savvy. Rob Bleakley (Lexington, MA), defending between the pipes, stayed sharp and made few but great saves at critical times. Bleakley also cleared with finesse and confidence, breaking down the Tiger transition defense with some great penetrating downfield passes. Andrew Richardson and Brent Bourgeois (New Haven, VT) also played some quality minutes at close defense. Midfielder Todd Rowley (Billerica, MA) turned in a great performance today as he was everywhere on the field and seemingly always around the ball. Trevor McDonald, Scott Schachter, Ben Wyskiel and Andrew Morgan also registered quality minutes at midfield.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday in their 2007 season finale against the Tabor Academy Sea Wolves. The game will be played at Phillips Exeter Academy with the face off scheduled for 3:30 pm.