TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

DEVILS CAN'T OVERCOME SLUGGISH FIRST HALF
TEAL & FROST LEAD FLAMES IN VICTORY
BOTH SHEEHAN & DUFF LOOK SHARP IN NET

(CLARENCE) The Clarence varsity lacrosse team dropped a 6-4 non league decision to Williamsville East on Monday. In what seems to be yet another puzzling effort by the Red Devils, Clarence stumbled their way through much of the first half of play. The Red Devils struggled with their midfield clears, and for the third straight game failed to generate much on offense. Despite three goals in the fourth quarter, Clarence could not overcome the damage inflicted earlier in the contest. The Flames' methodical and disciplined style of play set the tempo throughout. This would be a key factor, making it extremely difficult for Clarence to play catch-up in the late stages of the game.

The first quarter was all East, as they scored three unanswered goals. The Flames dominated time of possession, forcing countless Clarence turnovers in the midfield area. Brad Teal (2g) got things rolling for East at the 8:01 mark. The play was created by Derek Frost (1g, 2a), who skipped a beautiful pass over to Teal just outside the goal crease. All alone, Teal fired it past Clarence goalie Ryan Duff (10 saves) to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

The next East goal came from junior attackman Austin Weil. Dodging from behind the Clarence goal, Weil cleanly beat the Red Devil defender and curled to the front of the net. With little defensive slide help available, Weil popped it past Duff to make it 2-0.

One minute later, the Flames took a three goal lead on an important tally by Blake Dougherty. The determined senior middie dodged through several defenders towards the front of the net. Failing to put a body on Dougherty would cost the Red Devils dearly, as he continued to battle his way towards the goal. Struggling to go to his off hand, Dougherty finally powered towards the goal and managed to fire the ball past Duff for 3-0 lead.

As the second quarter progressed, the Red Devils began to move the ball better. However, they once again struggled against the disciplined East defense. An anemic Clarence offense generated very few quality scoring chances. The Red Devils were held to only four shots in the second, and to compound the frustration, goalie Ryan Sheehan was extremely sharp in net for the Flames.

At the 6:46 mark, Clarence finally broke through into the scoring column. It developed off a nice passing play from Jordan Zaprowki to Tom Owen. Zaprowski, parked out at X, spotted Owen cutting through the East defense. He delivered the ball right on the money, and Owen fired it past Ryan Sheehan (15 saves) . The East goalie had little chance on this one, and the score now stood at 3-1 in favor of the visitors.

Ryan Duff kept the Red Devils in it with several big saves during the second. It looked as though the score would remain 3-1 at the halftime break. However, the Flames had other ideas. Immediately after an East timeout, the visitors played the ball just inside Clarence territory. Derek Frost picked it up and immediately pressured towards the Red Devil defense. He set his defender up dodging to the right, then quickly dodged back to the left. Frost wound up and let the left hand shot rip through the defense. The ball quickly roared past Duff, and the Flames would reclaim their three goal lead with just five seconds remaining in the half. It was probably the most important goal of the game, as it further cemented East's control over the tempo of the game in the second half.

The game opened up a bit for the Red Devils in the third quarter. They were better able maintain possession of the ball and create more scoring opportunities. However, Clarence would again fail to net any goals during this period. East would capitalize late, and for all intents and purposes knock the Red Devils out of contention. The Flames struck again with 1:13 remaining in the third. Brad Teal picked up his second goal of the day on a nice pass from Derek Frost. The Clarence defense was unsettled, Teal cut through the crease, and Frost hit him with a perfect pass. Duff had little chance and the Flames took a four goal lead.

The Red Devils were assessed a slashing penalty on the scoring play, and East went to work on the extra man offense. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, the Flames delivered the knockout punch with just 19 seconds left. Michael Faltisco picked up the big goal on nice pass from Austin Weil. Faltisco curled up on the backside of the Clarence defense and was all alone when he quicked it in from just outside the crease. East led 6-1 as time ran out in the third.

Clarence worked hard in the fourth quarter to get back into the contest. However, with a five goal lead, the Flames had no intention of letting the Red Devils off the mat. Clarence would strike at the 9:33 mark on a pretty passing play. Moving the ball quickly, Dan Barron fired a pass to Dave Colicchia. Click soon found midfielder Tayler Swanson cutting through the East defense and laid a perfect pass on his stick. Swanson delivered, beating Sheehan and the Red Devils crawled back into it, down 6-2.

Through the next several minutes, Clarence controlled much of the play. However, they couldn't seem to beat Sheehan. The Red Devils registered 13 shots in the final period but had trouble putting it in the net. As time ticked away, Clarence began running out of opportunities to narrow the gap. Finally, with 2:41 left, Jordan Collins-Hartwig scored on a play off the transition. Dan Barron moved the ball quickly down to Collins-Hartwig, who turned and buried a hard shot past Sheehan. East now led 6-3.

Clarence applied a great deal of pressure towards the end of the contest. The Red Devils had several opportunities late, and once again scored off the stick of Tayler Swanson. Swanson made an incredible athletic play, cutting through the East defense and quick- sticking a pass from Barron. However, it would not be real easy as the pass was extremely high. Swanson jumped up and stretched out, catching the ball and whipping it past Sheehan "Gary Gait style". It was a great play by the sophomore middie who has steadily improved his game throughout the course of the season. Unfortunately for Clarence, the goal came with just 49 seconds remaining. Clarence now trailed 6-4, but had little time to tie up the contest. As the final seconds ticked away, the Flames had handed the Red Devils their ninth straight loss against their neighbors to the East. The drought continues.

Overall, not the effort needed to beat the Flames. East plays a good brand of disciplined lacrosse. A poor showing in the first half overshadowed any late game heroics the Red Devils may have entertained. It will be a good lesson going into the last game against St. Joes and the first round of the playoffs; Teams must play a solid 48 minutes to be successful. The Flames played selfless lacrosse. They cared only about the success of their team. Clarence has gotten away from that concept in recent games and it is beginning to show.

St. Joes on Thursday, and then a week to prepare for Williamsville North. Don't miss the JV team, as they play this friday against the Marauders; 5:00 up at the high school. Coach Muldowney's team is 15-1 and hopes to finish off the season on a winning note!