Determined Devils
Make Sweet Home Panthers
"...History"

Devils Outwork Panthers For First Victory of 2007.
Jordan Collins-Hartwig and Dave Colicchia Combine For 5 Goals
Ryan Duff Shuts The Door On Sweet Home With 14 Saves

(WEST AMHERST) The Buffalo News HS Sports Notes read, "Historic Win For Clarence Lax." However, Coach Mike Silverstein and his Red Devils took it all in stride as they defeated the Sweet Home Panthers for the first time in school history. The significance of the victory was not lost, yet the win more importantly marked a drastic improvement in play over in the first two games of the season. It was an overall team effort that carried the Devils through this one, as they dominated most of the battles in the midfield area. Jordan Collins-Hartwig was a dominant force in this one, as he displayed the speed and excitement that is making him one of the top offensive midfielders in WNY. Attackman Dave Colicchia played his best game of the year, scoring two goals and dishing out 2 assists in the process. Goalie Ryan Duff was almost unbeatable, finishing with 14 saves on the afternoon.

Dan Barron (1g) got things started for the Devils in the first quarter. His second goal of the season came on a great individual effort as he dodged and curled his way around the back of the net and fired a left handed shot past the Sweet Home goaltender.

However, the Panthers would battle back, scoring the next two goals of the game. Attackman Chris Covell (2g) scored the first of his two goals off the side of the crease from about 10 yards away. Shortly after, midfielder Nick Cavaleiri put Sweet Home ahead 2-1. Cavaleiri made a beautiful inside dodge scoring on the run from about 15 yards. As the first quarter ended, the Panthers held a one goal edge on the visiting Red Devils.

Clarence took control in the second quarter, scoring three unanswered goals. Sophomore Mark Lopian tied things up, as he used his speed to penetrate the Sweet Home defense and soundly beat the goalie with a quick shot from 15 yards. The play developed on a great carry-in and assist from midfielder Caleb Higgins who played extremely well throughout the contest. Lopian's timely goal seemed to revitalize the Devils, and their would be no looking back.

Jordan Collins-Hartwig took control of the game, dominating with his great speed in the midfield. His first goal came off a beautiful feed from attackman Jordan Zaprowski. Collins-Hartwig quick-sticked Zaprowski's pass just outside the crease to give back the lead to Clarence 3 to 2.

The Devils struck again as senior middie John Syty scooped up a groundball in the midfield and flung a long, accurate pass over the top of the Panther longpoles who were caught up in the chase. Collins-Hartwig snared the pass directly in front of the goalie and buried it in the back of the net for his second goal of the day. The half ended with the Devils in the lead 4 to 2 and riding a giant wave of momentum.

Carrying It Through

The West Seneca East game proved as a valuable lesson in that you must play with the same intensity for both halves. The Devils came out in the second half in hopes of increasing their cushion to three goals. Unfortunately, Sweet Home had other ideas, as they cut the Clarence lead to 4-3 on a solid shot by midfielder Taylor Heald. Heald was left alone in the slot and let one fly past the goaltender, keeping the Panthers quest alive.

The Devils remained undeterred, answering the Panthers and scoring the critical next goal. Attackman Dave Colicchia created the play as he was able to gain the edge on his defender. The move drew a slide and freed up middie Dan Salvatore for the shot. Salvatore made it count, as he ripped it past the goalie to increase the Clarence lead to two goals. The goal was the final turning point for the Panthers who could not seem to catch the pesky Devils on this day.

As the fourth quarter began, a hungry Clarence team, re-energized from the Salvatore tally, rifled off three unanswered goals. The first was a pretty passing play that developed in the Clarence zone. Senior captain Nick Robinson won a ground ball battle and cleared it up to Higgins. Caleb's pass was on the money to a speeding Josh Rawdin. Rawdin penetrated the Panther defense and dished off to Colicchia, who then quick-sticked it home for a 6 to 3 Clarence lead.

Colicchia wasn't through, as moments later he fought-off three Panther D-poles for a ground ball in the Sweet Home zone. Colicchia quickly found Collins-Hartwig in the crease for his third goal of the day.

The Devil offense was having its way with the tired Sweet Home defense. With the score at 7 to 3, the "Click" and Collins-Hartwig connection continued the onslaught. Again, Syty started things out , passing to a fast moving Collins-Hartwig. Jordan returned the favor, sending a sharp pass over to Colicchia who "high-lowed" the Panther goaltender for his second goal of the game.

Chris Covell notched his second goal of the day for Sweet Home, sneaking into the crease area and making the final score 8 to 4 in favor of the Red Devils.

The difference in this game seemed to be the overall commitment by the Devils to one another. The starting defensive corps of J.D Skura, Nick Hoffman, and Nick Robinson were solid throughout, harrassing and discouraging the Panther attack. Ryan Duff was flat-out unbelievable between the pipes. Several of his early saves generated the confidence the Devils carried throughout the game. Hopefully the confidence will continue after the holidays, as the Red Devils face off next against Williamsville East on April 17th in a non-league contest.