GETTING BACK TO
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RED DEVILS SHAKE OUT RUST IN WIN OVER LIONS
COLICCHIA, OWEN & COLLINS-HARTWIG
COMBINE FOR 7 OUT OF 9 GOALS
DUFF STRONG IN NET IN FIRST OUTING BACK

(LOCKPORT) The Clarence Red Devils resumed their lacrosse season on a beautiful, sunny April afternoon by hammering the Lockport Lions by the score of 9-2. However, the Lions were much improved over last season and played much stronger than the score would indicate. After a week respite, the Devils would spend much of the first half trying to get their legs back, as the Lockport repeatedly won many of the groundball battles. Clarence struggled early with the physical defensive style of the Lions, especially sophomore Luke Rankie who inflicted several big hits on the Clarence attack. However, Lockport struggled to generate any type of consistent offense throughout the contest. A veteran Red Devil attack group proved to be too much for them to handle as the team picked up its second league win (2-0, 3-1). Dave Colicchia (3g), Tom Owen (2g) and Jordan Collins-Hartwig (2g) provided the bulk of the scoring. However, seniors Dan Barron and Jordan Zaprowski provided the setups that would pick apart a tough Lockport defensive corps.

The Red Devils would jump out with four first quarter scores. Colicchia started things off just over one minute into the contest on a quick cut through the defense. Dan Barron created the play on a perfect feed to Click. Dave finished the opportunity off, firing it past Lockport goalie D.J. Haseley for a 1-0 Clarence lead.

Clarence controlled much of the play throughout the quarter but failed to create any serious scoring opportunities as the Lions put on an impressive defensive showing. Just over five minutes later, the Red Devils would score again as captain Jordan Collins-Hartwig beat his midfield defender on a speed dodge from the top. Collins-Hartwig rifled in the shot on- the-run to build the Clarence lead to 2-0.

Sensing blood, the Red Devil attack went to work right away, picking up another goal a half minute later. Dan Barron did the bulk of the work on his own, dodging back and forth several times from behind the net. Eventually, Barron was able to lose his defender and deposit the ball past Haseley from the left crease area. Both Barron and Collins-Hartwigs' goals seemed to open things up for the Red Devil offense, forcing the Lockport defense to slide a little earlier to help.

Just before the quarter ended, Clarence would score another. Dave Colicchia would pick up his second goal of the day, again off a nice passing play by Dan Barron. The attack quickly moved the ball to the backside of the Lion defense where Click lay waiting alone to beat the Lockport goalie. The shot extended the Clarence lead to 4-0 after one quarter of play.

Lockport would finally respond several minutes into the second quarter. After an undisciplined penalty put the Red Devils in a man-down situation. Lockport attackman Dan Stephan would find the back of the net as he beat Clarence goalie Ryan Duff (11 saves) off the right crease area. The goal was setup on a nice assist from Dan Kremer.

Clarence responded midway through the quarter on a beautiful cut through the Lion defense by Tom Owen. Owen delivered on his shot, beating Haseley to make it 5-1. Once again Dan Barron was the set up man, laying a beautiful feed into Owen's stick. Tommy made a quick dodge and let it fly. Not satisfied, Owen struck again two minutes later. This time Owen was the benefactor from a beautiful assist by Jordan Zaprowski. Barron set up the play on a quick reverse pass back to Zaprowski at X. Zap found Owen on the left doorstep for the score. Owen's two goal outburst put the Red Devils up 6-1 at the half.

The Red Devils seemed to get back into the groove in the second half. The offense was able to move the ball more effectively. Collins-Hartwig got things rolling just over a minute into the third quarter. The Clarence motion offense seemed to be clicking as Collins-Hartwig received a nice feed as the second cutter through the Lion defense. Jordan ripped it home, as Lockport goalie Chris Eglin had little chance on the shot opportunity.

The Red Devils picked up several penalties towards the end of the third. The first didn't help the Lions cause, as Clarence regained possession of the ball and transitioned the ball back into the offensive end. Dan Barron once gain found his partner Dave Colicchia on the right crease and Click beat the goalie for a man-down score at the 6:21 mark of the third. The damaging goal distanced Clarence further away from the Lions for a 8-1 lead.

Lockport would get their second goal of the contest seconds after another extra-man opportunity expired. This time, senior attackman Nick Ciemny popped it home several yards in front of Duff to make it 8-2. Adam Braunbach picked up a nice assist, sneaking the pass into a tight space and onto Ciemny's stick.

The final quarter would only produce one goal. Senior attackman Jordan Zaprowski was finally rewarded for all his hard work. In what could have been the prettiest goal of the afternoon, Zap shot a laser into the top right corner of the net. Eglin was beaten cleanly on his near side and the final score registered 9-2 in favor of Clarence.

The game was a tough, physical contest. Coach Mike Evans and his Lions are much improved, and will be a team to contend with by season's end. The game should prove very beneficial for the Red Devils as they faceoff against their toughest opponent thus far-the Niagara Wheatfield Falcons. It will be a stiff test, and should be a great measuring stick as to where Clarence stands almost a third of the way into the regular season. Hopefully, the continued development of Owen will help to establish some much needed depth at attack for the Red Devils. The Clarence midfield has struggled up to this point as it searches for someone to step-up and create more offense. In the meantime, the Red Devil defense will have their hands full with Emmett, Elijah and Gehnew Printup as they hope to stop a Falcon offense averaging 14 goals per game. See you Wednesday!