WHATTA FINISH!

BARRON NETS GAME WINNER WITH :02 LEFT
DEVILS AND RAIDERS BATTLE DOWN TO THE WIRE
SKURA, STOCKWELL & HOFFMAN STANDOUT

(CLARENCE) The Clarence Red Devils and St. Francis Red Raiders were locked in a back and forth battle at Clarence High School on Saturday. The game would not be settled until the final seconds, as Clarence captain Dan Barron (4g, 1a) buried a shot with just two seconds left to lift the Red Devils over St. Francis by a 5-4 score. The game was about as even as you could get. However, it was the Red Devils that finally found a way to break through for the big win.

The first quarter started out poorly for the home team, as St. Francis attackman Mike Alberts put the Red Raiders on the board just over a minute and a half into the contest. The goal came off a great individual effort by Alberts, who dodged across the top of the Clarence defense and then quickly ripped a laser to the back top corner against goalie Ryan Duff (11 saves). It was an impressive shot and St. Francis took the lead 1-0.

The balance of the first quarter saw both teams trying to get some type of rhythm going offensively. Both defenses limited the scoring opportunities, and it wasn't until 1:23 left in the first before Clarence finally struck back. The goal came off the stick of Dave Colicchia on a nice passing play in transition. Clarence had a difficult time beating St. Francis goalie Jon Lawless, one of the best in WNY. Lawless had little chance on this one as the ball was carried on the fastbreak by Tom Owen. Owen beat the Raider defense back with a quick pass down to Dan Barron. Barron moved the ball over to Colicchia on the backside crease and Click popped it in to knot the game at 1-1.

The second quarter saw the most scoring, as both teams tallied two goals each. St. Francis took the lead at the 9:52 mark on a goal by Joe Rautenstrauch. The goal was set up by Alberts from the X position. Alberts had a difficult time setting up the Red Raider offense most of the day due to the constant harrassment of J.D. Skura. However, he picked up the assist on this play. Alberts dodged back and forth looking for some breathing room. He quickly spotted Rautenstrauch alone in the left slot. An apparent breakdown in the Red Devil defense left the atackman with plenty of space to operate. Taking full advantage, Rautenstrauch ripped a 15 yard shot past Duff to put St. Francis back on top 2-1.

Clarence would respond three minutes later. The goal was scored by Dan Barron. Barron was an offensive juggernaut on the day, scoring four goals and assisting on the other Red Devil tally. This one came off the extra man offense after a slashing call put the Red Raiders man down. It was obvious early that it would take a perfect shot to beat Lawless. Barron's was a beauty, cranking the ball with great velocity from the slot. The shot beat Lawless to the top opposite corner of the net to make it 2-2.

Clarence took the lead at the 3:43 mark. The play was created off some nice hustle from Jordan Zaprowski. With the ball heading out of bounds at the midfield sideline, Zap quickly chased it down and saved the ball back into play. Barron took the ball and carried it into the St. Francis zone. Taking his defender behind the net, Dan continued to curl around the backside. Fighting his way to the front, Barron turned and fired a quick shot past Lawless to give the Red Devils a 3-2 lead.

It looked as though the Red Devils would take a one goal lead into halftime. However, the Red Raiders had other ideas, scoring a big goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The goal came off a nice individual effort by Kevin English, who drove hard from behind the Clarence goal. The Red Devil defender failed to take the body, and English bulled his way out past the goal line extended. English then simply inside rolled towards Duff and beat the netminder with a quick shot to make it 3-3.

The second half would be tightly played and filled with up and down action. The Red Devils weathered two critical man down situations in the third quarter. St. Francis was unable to capitalize on the extra man opportunities, and Clarence dug in for a battle to the end. No goals were scored in the third, leaving the fourth quarter or possible extra time to decide this one.

The fourth quarter was a physical affair as both teams fought hard to get the go ahead goal. Defenseman Jared Stockwell had his most impressive game of the season, playing tough defense throughout. It would be Stockwell who would help recharge the Red Devils with a bone jarring hit on a Red Raider midfielder. Clarence fed off the emotion, and the check helped to set the tone for the final minutes.

Dan Barron picked up the go ahead goal on the extra man opportunity at the 9:46 mark. The shot was one of his best of the year. The pass went to Barron up on top of the Red Raiders' sagged-in defense. Seeing an opening, Dan unleashed a big bounce shot from about 15 yards out. The ball beat Lawless, bouncing directly underneath the crossbar. It was an important emotional lift for the Red Devils. They now led 4-3.

Undeterred, the Red Raiders fought to tie up the game. With 4:22 remaining, that is exactly what happened. It came off a botched clear attempt in the Red Devil zone. Trying to move the ball out of the zone, defenseman Nick Hoffman threw the ball back to goalie Ryan Duff who was about 5 yards in front of the Clarence goal. Hoffman's pass dropped short and Duff had trouble handling it. St. Francis attackman Connor Bernas was on the ride, and saw his big opportunity. Both Duff and Bernas dove to play the ball. However, the attackman slapped at the ball first, and it rolled slowly into the Red Devil net. St. Francis had tied it late at 4-4.

The most impressive thing about the remainder of the fourth quarter was the great effort by Clarence to respond for the win. In previous games, the Red Devils struggled in tight games. Finding a way to win this contest would be their most difficult test of the season. The weather turned bad in the closing minutes, extremely windy, dropping cold rain on both the players and spectators.

And then it happened, like something out of a movie script. In the waning moments of the game, senior defenseman Nick Hoffman picked up a ball in the Clarence zone. Hoffman ran up through the midfield through several defenders. Hoffman ran up into the offensive zone past several defenders. Hoffman ran towards the top of the box. Hoffman ran into towards the goal crease...

...time stopped for a moment. Could Hoffman go the distance, beat Lawless, pick up his first goal of the season, and in doing so, finish off the Red Raiders? He reared back his Dpole and let go the shot...

...the ball sailed up like a rainbow and just missed (going into the tennis courts).

Wow, we could have sold the rights to Disney if he had finished, but it was not to be. However, with the ball in the St. Francis zone, the stage was set for the exciting finish.

And then it happened (no, really this time). With under 20 seconds on left on the clock, the Red Devils had their last opportunity to settle this one before an extra time period. The play of the year. With the clock ticking down in regulation, Dan Barron took possession of the ball. Barron dodged several time behind the side of the net. Gaining an advantage over his defender, Barron started towards the front of the goal. The defender struggled to keep up, Barron continued to work towards the top. With just two ticks left on the clock, Barron turned and ripped a hard shot past Lawless to win the game! As the bench erupted, Barron was quickly mobbed by his teammates. An incredible finish, but most importantly a great team effort by the Red Devils!

I guess you had to be there, but that is what high school lacrosse is all about! Clarence hopes to keep their winning ways rolling this Monday as they take on the Williamsville East Flames. East comes in as the #8th ranked team in WNY at 10-4, winners of their last three. Clarence has yet to beat the Flames in lacrosse at the varsity level. The returning players hope to rectify one of their worst performances during the 2007 season. Hope to see every one up at the high school. Gametime: 5:00