DEFENSIVE MODE

HIGGINS AND BARRON NET TWO GOALS EACH
McCARRIAGHER SHINES IN NET, PICKS UP 18 SAVES
PANTHERS LATE BARRAGE FAILS TO YIELD GOALS

(CLARENCE) The Red Devils picked up their first win of the season by defeating the visting Sweet Home Panthers by a 6-3 score. The name of the game was "defense" for Clarence as sophomore sensation Sean McCarraigher registered an incredible 18 saves in his first game on the varsity. McCarriagher, who was brought up from the junior varsity earlier in the week, was a force in the first half, picking up 10 saves, and shutting out a streaking Sweet Home team that were winners of their last three games. The starting Red Devil defense of Nick Hoffman, Jared Stockwell and J.D. Skura were also in top form, limiting the Panther offensive opportunities and blocking several shots. The Red Devils jumped out to a great start in the first half and then were forced to weather a barrage of fourth quarter shots by a rejuvenated Panther offense looking to exploit a weary defense.

For the second game in a row, the Red Devils struggled to regain the high-powered offense that led to 11 wins in 2007. However, in the first quarter, it looked as though they might get back on track, registering 10 of their game total of 22 shots against Sweet Home goalie Pat McMahon (12 saves). However, Clarence failed to keep possession of the ball for much of the second and third quarters, generating just six shots, and in turn keeping constant pressure on the defense. This would prove dangerous in the waning moments of the contest. The Red Devil defense grew increasingly tired and struggled with the Sweet Home midfielders determined to make a late comeback run.

The teams traded shots early on as both goalies made it clear that it would not be a high scoring affair. Just under four minutes in, Red Devil captain Jordan Collins-Hartwig once again took control, scooping up a ground ball in the midfield area and carrying it into the Sweet Home zone. Outrunning the midfielders, Collins-Hartwig broke in clean on the goalie McMahon. The Panther defense failed to slide and Jordan beat the goalie to give Clarence a 1-0 lead.

However, the Red Devils could not sustain the momentum and several minutes passed as both teams attempted to establish an offensive rythmn. With neither team able to get into the groove, much of the play consisted of chasing groundballs in the midfield area. It was there that the next Clarence goal would develop. Picking up a ball just outside a scrum of players, Josh Rawdin ran the ball down the sideline and spotted an open Caleb Higgins in the center of the field. Higgins weaved his way through a couple midfielders and broke deep into the Panther defense. Again, without pressure of a defensive slide, Higgins let it rip, beating McMahon and raising the Red Devil lead to 2-0.

Throughout the first quarter, McCarriagher frustrated the Panther offense, making several athletic saves and allowing Clarence to stay in the contest. McCarriagher and the defense looked like a well-oiled machine, blocking several shot opportunities and limiting chances. Higgins, Rawdin and Ryan Connolly played solid defense on a Sweet Home midfield that had registered most of the Panther goals this season. The first quarter ended at 2-0 and it looked as if Clarence was in firm control going into the second.

Both teams failed to generate much offense for most of the second quarter. Clarence was hurt several minutes into the period, picking up a penalty and forced to play man-down for two minutes. However, the Panthers were foiled in their scoring attempts and the Red Devils would get on the scoreboard. Doubling his goal output for 2007, captain Caleb Higgins once again found the back of the net. This one required a little more work on his part as he single- handedly scooped up a ground ball at midfield, put several impressive moves on the Sweet Home middies, and proceeded to break in again on McMahon. The one thing goalies really hate is trying to read a shot off a long pole. McMahon is no exception. Higgins' shot found its mark, and the Red Devils began to create some space between them and the Panthers.

Clarence would extend their lead two and a half minutes later. Senior captain Dan Barron (2g) registered his first goal of the season on an bit of hard work in front of the net. Collins-Hartwig helped create the opportunity on a fast dodge from the top of the box. His hard shot was difficult for McMahon to handle and the rebound ricocheted several feet in front of the Panther crease. Taking a tip from his old next door neighbor (Chris Drury), Barron swatted at the bouncing ball, connecting and slamming it into the goal for a 4-0 Clarence lead. While not pretty, the goal had its effect and the Red Devils rode into halftime up four goals.

The second half would be somewhat disappointing for Clarence as they failed to create many offensive opportunities. The third quarter saw the Red Devils fall into an old pattern of undisciplined penalties. This caused further difficulty, not only on the defense but an offense that has yet to find its mark in 2008.

Again, McCarriagher and the defense shut the door on the Panthers. Sweet Home began creating more space in their offensive zone and if not for the efforts of defensive midfielders and close defenders, Clarence would have surely been overtaken in the second half. Finally, the Panthers got on the board at the 7:10 mark as junior attackman Chris Covel made a nice shot off a roll dodge from behind the Red Devil net. The tally made it 4-1 Clarence.

The important response form the Red Devils came just 40 seconds later. Dave Colicchia scored his second goal of the season taking a pass from Tom Owen and beating the Sweet Home goaltender. Click's goal gave Clarence a four goal lead once again six and a half minutes remaining in the third.

Sweet Home refused to yield, bringing it back to a three goal game about 45 seconds later. This time, junior midfielder Jared McHenry ripped a shot past McCarriagher from about 15 yards out. The goal came off a nice pass from Donnie Daniels. It was a bad sign for the Red Devils as the Panthers seemed to be getting the shots they wanted and momentum was slowly turning.

The remainder of the third saw more pressure from Sweet Home as Clarence picked up another slashing penalty. Fortunately for the Red Devils, McCarraigher kept them off the scoreboard during the man down situation. While generating just two shots in the third quarter, Clarence held on to a 5-2 advantage.

The fourth quarter seemed like an eternity. Sweet Home applied constant pressure, generating several shots but failing to beat McCarriagher. Well, I should say McCarriagher and his best friend - "Mr. Pipes". On at least a half dozen occassions, McCarriagher failed to make a save on the ball, only to have it careen off the crossbar back into play. The frustration from these missed opportunities exacted a further toll on both the Panther players and their loyal fans. Clarence didn't help themselves, picking up three more penalties during this time frame. A struggling defense was holding on with what ever energy that had left.

Clarence did score again with just five and a half minutes remaining. Dan Barron picked up his second goal of the game on a simple but important play in front of the net. After a missed scoring opportunity, Barron camped out in front of McMahon's clearing attempt. As the goalie misplayed the ball in his stick, the ball rolled out in front of the crease. The ever-vigilant Barron scooped up the loose ball and popped it in to make it 6-2, putting a serious kink in any Panther comeback plans.

Sweet Home did apply some late pressure, continually buzzing around the net. The last Panther goal came off the stick of Donnie Daniels off a beautiful cut towards the net. Senior attackman Eric Danheiser made a pretty pass from X and Daniels finished the deal.

Overall, the Red Devils did what they had to do to win the game. Although a non-leaguer, the game was an important response to a poor showing in the season opener against Canisius. Sweet Home had come into the game as one of the hottest teams in Section 6. However, Clarence found a way to pull it out an important victory. The story in this one was obviously; the defense. With such a talented group of seniors, Clarence will improve offensively in the coming weeks. Once that it accomplished, the Red Devils should be back in fine form for the important league games in late April and May. Next up: The North Tonawanda Lumberjacks, Thursday at 5:00 in NT. This will be Clarence's first league contest and last game before the week-long spring break. See you there!