COLD AS ICE
CANISIUS HAMMERS RED DEVILS 11-4 IN OPENER
WAGNER & DEVINE COMBINE FOR 7 GOALS
DUFF's STROLL PROVES COSTLY TO TEAM

(WEST SENECA) The 2008 varsity lacrosse season did not begin well for the Red Devils as they were outhustled, outmuscled and outplayed by a strong contingent from Canisius High School. This was the inaugural game played at the new Canisius Sports Complex, and the Crusaders made it one to remember by dispatching the visitors by a 11-4 score. The weather seemed to be a factor for much of the contest, as the players tried to overcome mid 30 degree temperatures and the 30-40 mph wind gusts that blew straight across the field. However, the temperatures seemingly had little effect on the Crusaders who looked in mid-season form. The Red Devils at times looked like the inexperienced team that stumbled through its last two games of the 2007 season. For much of the contest, Clarence lacked the cohesiveness and mental toughness necessary to compete at this level of competition. Appropriately, it was the Devils who were left standing out in the cold as the Crusaders proved that although young, they will be a formidable foe in the parochial league this coming season.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, very physical and both teams cautiously trying create some kind of offensive rythmn. Quality shots were at a premium. The Red Devils defense did a great job of blocking many of the Crusader shots. The time of possession heavily favored Canisius but no goals were scored on either end. Finally, with just 1:15 left to play in the first, Canisius attackman Ryan Wagner (3g, 1a) scored off of a pretty dodge to the right side of Clarence goalie Ryan Duff. The shot gave the Crusaders a 1-0 edge at the end of one quarter.

The Crusaders struck for their second goal about three minutes into the second quarter. Junior attackman John Devine (4g) finished off a fine passing play, popping it in uncontested from the left crease area. The feed came from the stick of sophomore middie William Koessler.

The Devils snapped out of their slumber less than a minute later on a nice play and finish off the extra man offense. Losing possession deep in the Canisius zone, Jordan Zaprowski (1g, 1a) picked off the Crusader clearing attempt in front of a defenseless Kerry Freeburg. Zap made it count, and the Devils were back in it at 2-1.

Unfortunately, the physical play of the first quarter would take its toll on the Red Devils. On two separate occassions in the first, the Clarence defense was caught upfield as the Crusaders broke behind them uncontested. On both occassions, goalie Ryan Duff chose to leave the cozy confines of his crease and drop the oncoming threat. While both of the bone-jarring hits caused the shots to sail wide, they exacted a heavy price on Duff who left the game with a concussion. Backup goalie Jason Pazda took his place between the pipes and play continued.

Two minutes later Devine would inflict more damage on the Devils with what was perhaps the prettiest shot of the afternoon. The Clarence defense fought hard to get back on a Canisius fast break opportunity. Devine caught a nice feed from Wagner and looked to finish off the play. However, the Red Devil defender stopped him dead in his tracks. Recovering quickly, Devine spun around and ripped a blast past Pazda for a 3-1 Canisius lead. Sensing blood, the Crusaders struck again just 24 seconds later as Wagner rifled a shot from the top of the box to make it 4-1 Canisius at the half.

A cold and wary Clarence team attempted to get back on track at halftime. However, the third quarter would not be kind to the Red Devils. The Crusaders came out flying and responded by scoring three goals in a time span of 37 seconds. The barrage broke the game wide open for the home team. Wagner picked up where he left off hurling another 15 yard laser past Pazda. Twenty four seconds later Anthony Fulham (1g, 1a) tallied on a nice dodge and bounce shot to make it 6-1. Gaining possession on the faceoff, Canisius would score another 13 seconds later as midfielder Teach Gannon popped a quick shot in off a nice feed from A.J. Catalano. The damage complete, Clarence did little to defend themselves for the remainder of the quarter.

The unrelenting Canisius attack was not done yet. Shortly after another quick faceoff win, the Red Devils were caught unsettled in their own zone. Devine added his third goal of the day on a fastbreak feed from Fulham. Mike Raham finished off the third quarter scoring for the Crusaders on a nice shot moving off a dodge in front. Canisius held a commanding 9-1 lead going into the final stanza.

The Devils had been dysfunctional since midway through the second quarter. The defense was spotty, they were losing ground ball battles, and failed to establish any type of recognizable offense. However, they would respond shortly after the fourth quarter began. Playing on the extra-man offense, Clarence was struggling to move the ball effectively. Finally, Jordan Collins-Hartwig took matters in his own hands, rifling a quick tough-angle shot past goalie Jeff White. The much needed goal set the score at 9-2.

A little over a minute later, the sophomore tandem of Tayler Swanson and Tom Owen hooked up for a quick goal. Owen was able to spot and then fire a beautiful pass down into the crease area where Swanson then caught it, turned around, and gunned it home. The score crept to 9-3.

Two minutes later, Dave Colicchia would get things going, scoring off a nice cut to the net. Credit a nice feed from Zaprowski and Clarence made it 9-4.

Unfortunately, the Crusaders weren't about to let this one slip away. The remainder of the quarter, the Red Devils did little to challenge. Canisius would score twice more to finish the onslaught and pull away with the 11-4 victory.

Not alot of bright spots. Plenty of areas to work on going into next week's games against Sweet Home and North Tonawanda. It was a suprisingly poor effort by a senior laden team that showed little in the way of challenging under adverse conditions. Disappointing-Yes, but nothing to dwell too deeply on, as the process must be underway to move the team forward. Hopefully this will provide a hard-learned lesson. Especially with the absence of Duff, this team must forcibly pull themselves together if they are to find success in the coming weeks.