Holbrook, NY--Led by two goals and an assist in the second half from James Sgiugna, War on The Shore LC rattled off 6 straight goals, erasing a 3-2 halftime deficit to roll past Grey Dogs 8-5 last night in lax action at the Holbrook PAL Complex.
Sgiugna who continues his excellent midfield play from the Greenport Tournament, where he played for Typhoon Lacrosse, got things going early in the second half with a bull dodge from the top of the restraining box in the middle of the field, ripping a stick-side low shot that the goalie didn't even see. Next offensive set, off of a pick and roll, he ripped his second G, upper right corner, from a step inside the restraining box pulling his team ahead 4-3 with what would turn out to be the turning point in the contest. Minutes later in transition, Sgiugna threaded the needle through an over aggressive Grey Dogs defense, finding a War on the Shore attackmen cutting back door in front of the crease for an assist increasing the lead to 5-4.
With only one substitute the entire game, and momentum on their side, War on the Shore implemented a slow down offense. Working the ball around several times on each offensive possession, they showed poise and patience, taking what the defense game them rather than forcing things. The strategy seemed to work, wearing down the Grey Dogs defense, creating mismatches on offense, giving their own defense a rest, but most importantly running precious time off the clock.
With fresh legs at midfield, War on the Shore dominated in the transition game. Clearing, riding, scooping up ground balls, and dominating face-offs deep into the second half. Scottie " Fitzie" Fitzgerald played an outstanding game at defensive middie and was the catalyst for goals 6 and 7 that put his team firmly in the lead. Fitzgerald, a former Naval Officer at Annapolis, who is often criticized by fellow teammates for playing soft, silenced his critics with excellent open field stick checks, and scooping up 5 ground balls. Two of those groundballs led to the aforementioned goals.
After losing the majority of the face-offs in the first half, War on the Shore turned things around in the second half winning over 90%. "The face-offs were they key to the slow strategy. The enabled us to maintain possession and the lead", exclaimed War on the Shore attackman Steve 'Braveheart' Maloney.
With another quick goal of of the face-off with 3:30 left to play War on the Shore went up 8-3.
Grey Dogs did not lay down to die. They managed to pump in 2 goals in the final 2 minutes of the game in attempts to stage a comeback which eventually fell short.
War on the Shore goaltender Brian Buckley of Holy Cross fame continued to show why he is the team's MVP. Buckley kept his team in the game early and often, bailing out his defense on missed communications and poor transition plays. He held off Grey Dogs until his team's offense finally started rolling. Buckley, a man of few words, sporting the professorial beard, had 14 saves on the night. He also did a great job of hitting his outlets in the clearing game.
Other notes: Bryan Davis scored the first goal of the game despite back spasms which forced him to leave the game early during the beginning of the second half. Steve "Braveheart" Maloney (Marist '90) started at X in the place of "Broadway" Brett Jeffares. Maloney was the impetus behind the first two goals of the game for War on the Shore. His contributions were a major factor in the victory.
War on the Shore is now 1-1 on the season. Grey Dogs drops to 0-2.
Other News.....
Landsharks White defeated SCPD by a score of 8-2. Goaltender Rob Serratore (Stony Brook '91, Comsewogue '87) was a good as Kevlar against Suffolk's Finest. LI Lax Blog couldn't believe the final score. Showing up late to the field, we didn't know who was in goal for the Landsharks. We asked ourselves, "How could Landsharks beat SCPD this badly?" Serratore took his helmet off to shake hands with the other team and that explained it.
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Great Job from James Sqiuna. A true hero. A 28 year old midfielder playing in a 40 and over league.
ReplyDeleteEvery team has young guys on them, from Brunos to Landsharks. Even Grey Dogs. Don't player hate because you suck!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the older guys would be able to handle all that running if a few younger guys weren't sprinkled in there.
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