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Close encounter
MC succumbs to last year's state champs in last seconds
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April 09, 2009 | 02:05 PM
For the second consecutive year the Rocky Point Eagles got a wakeup call from Middle Country. Last year the Eagles survived a three-goal deficit to overcome a rejuvenated Middle Country squad, and this year the defending New York State champs needed a goal from senior Tim Hawkins with 24 seconds remaining to do in an upstart and determined Middle Country team 6-5 in non-league lacrosse action last Tuesday at Rocky Point High School.
"We hit a lot of pipes and missed some opportunities," stated Rocky Point head coach Mike Bowler afterward. "Last year we had a veteran team. This year we're a work in progress and this was a character builder. It's great to get off to a winning start. It was a real super effort."
Following a tenacious defensive showing by both teams in the opening quarter, Middle Country broke the ice as Dom Cerasi whisked a shot past Eagles senior goalie Alex Cain (13 saves) 30 seconds into the frame for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later it was Cerasi finding the back of the net, once again giving Middle Country a 2-0 lead.
But that wouldn't last long. Rocky Point won the subsequent faceoff — the Eagles won 12 of 14 faceoffs — and seven seconds later junior Tom Kelly put the Eagles on the board with a shot past Middle Country goalie Nick DiGiacomo (17 saves) to make it 2-1. Moments later Ed Ferchland stole an errant pass in the midfield, walked in on goal unfettered and fired a shot past Cain giving Middle Country a 3-1 lead with 7:25 remaining in the half. Again Rocky Point quickly responded as Hawkins notched his first tally of the season off an assist from Kelly at 7:11 to pull the Eagles within one at 4-3.
Both teams scored twice in the third period but the real stars of the frame were Cain and DiGiacomo, each of whom came up big in the quarter. DiGiacomo in particular kept his team in the game with a spectacular save on senior Matt Palasek. Still at the end of three quarter the Eagles trailed 5-4 and Middle Country, which scored the last two goals of the quarter, seemed to have momentum.
Here, however, the Eagles demonstrated the character of a champion. They dominated play in the final quarter and more so forced Middle Country into costly mistakes. Middle Country had problems maintaining possession and their passes — crisp until then — went awry. The Eagles made them pay for their mistakes. Junior Nick Schneider knotted the score at 5-5 with a goal at 10:31. Over the next nine minutes Rocky Point limited Middle Country's offensive opportunities as they dominated play. Finally with two minutes remaining Middle Country found its offensive groove and began to apply some pressure. But it was a short-lived opportunity. The Eagles quickly regained possession of the ball and moved downfield.
To his credit DiGiacomo remained solid in goal. With time running down in the quarter he turned away an Eagle shot with a tremendous save, but his defense was unable to clear the ball. Senior Tyler Super took control of the ball fed Hawkins and he did the rest.
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