DEVILS CAGE LIONS
TO PICK UP THIRD WIN.

Jordan Collins-Hartwig Scores 4 Goals In Rout Of Lockport.
Stellar Play By Higgins, Syty, James and Stalker In The Midfield.
Colicchia Picks Up Four Assists To Lead Devils Attack.

(LOCKPORT) The Red Devils went back to their winning ways on Wednesday, cruising past the host Lockport Lions by the score of 11 to 3. The Clarence defense played very well, limiting Lockport to only 13 shots on the day. Jordan Collins-Hartwig and Dave Colicchia led the team offensively, combining for 5 goals and 5 assists on the afternoon. Clarence controlled much of the play throughout the contest and were never seriously threatened by the hardworking Lions. The hustle of the Red Devil midfielders proved to be a significant factor in hammering-out their third victory of the season. Full marks to Lockport coach Mike Evans and his team as they are in the initial stages of building a varsity lacrosse program in only its second season.

The Red Devils were able to get things going early in the first quarter. Attackman Dan Barron rifled a fast, hard shot past the Lockport goalie as the offense was settling in. The Lion netminder began to relax, and seemed somewhat surprised by the shot moments later after it whizzed past his head for the score. Barron's goal put Clarence up 1 to 0 and helped set the offensive tone for game.

Jordan Zaprowski ( 2g 2 a ) extended his goal scoring streak to four games, scoring Clarence's second tally of the day. The goal came in transition as the Red Devils were playing man down due to a penalty. After regaining possession, the Red Devils worked the ball up the field. Dave Colicchia ( 1g 4a ) found Zaprowski in the right crease for the quick shot. Zaprowski delivered once again, repeatedly showing that he has that special "knack" for finishing off a play. Clarence led by the score of 2 to 0. The defensive middies and D-poles had their hands full early as Clarence was called for 5 infractions in the first quarter. Ryan Duff was a stalwart in net as usual. Caleb Higgins and Josh James played extremely well, fighting for ground balls and helping to keep the ball out of the Clarence zone.

As has been a continuing pattern, the Red Devils seem to play at their offensive best in the second quarter. Clarence ripped off five unanswered goals to completely take control of the game. Jordan Collins-Hartwig ( 4g, 1a ) was the catalyst for the Clarence offense, causing constant problems with his speed cuts through the Lockport defense. His first goal of the day came off a cut down the middle of the zone. Zaprowski hit Collins-Hartwig with a perfect pass, and the score raised the Clarence lead to three goals.

Mark Lopian played one of his best games of the season. He was a workhorse throughout, leading the team with six groundballs. Lopian extended the Red Devil lead to 4 to 0, beating the Lockport defenders on a beautiful dodge down the middle. The goal, reminiscent of one he scored against Sweet Home, was a potent combination of both his speed and vision in front of the net.

Not to be outdone, captain John Syty got into the act. Syty played another strong game as he continues to use his athletic ability and toughness to create opportunities for the Red Devil offense. This time, Syty was on the receiving end of a pass as Zaprowski found him on the top of the crease area. Syty bounced it past the goalie, making it 5 to 0 Clarence.

With the offensive machine in full swing, Zaprowski gunned in his second of the day . Collins-Hartwig was the setup man, hitting "Zap" at his favorite location on the right crease. Zaprowski finished it off once again while extending the Clarence lead to six.

Collins-Hartwig scored next on his most impressive shot of the day. Taking it upon himself, he took the ball and dodged across the field. After finding a brief opening in the Lion defense, Jordan lasered a shot past the goalie so hard that it took him several moments to comprehend what had just happened. As with Barron's initial goal of the game, you can't stop what you can't see!

Lockport would break the shutout late in the second quarter as attackman Nick Ciemny popped in a shot from about 5 yards out. The goal put the Lions on the board, but Clarence held the lead at the half by the score of 7 to1.

Senior captain Nick Robinson was once again solid on defense, using his speed and toughness to discourage the Lion attack. Robinson also took a couple faceoffs as Coach Silverstein continues to tinker with several combinations of players on this unit. In all, Robinson, J.D. Skura, and Nick Hoffman combined for 10 groundballs in the afternoon. Dave Metzger, Jared Stockwell and Dave Gallegos played extremely well throughout the second half. Their development will be an important component for the Red Devils as the season progresses.

Shortly into the third quarter, the Lions would get their second goal of the game off the stick of attackman Nick Demarco. Demarco beat Duff on sharp angle shot off the left side from about 10 yards out to make the score 7 to 2.

Clarence responded several minutes later as Collins-Hartwig quick-sticked a shot in past the goalie from just outside the crease. The play was setup on a great play by Dave Colicchia who dodged away his defender from behind the net and planted a perfect pass to the cutting Collins-Hartwig.

Neal Stalker was a standout during the second half, playing aggressively on both ends and creating several opportunities for the Clarence attack. Dan Barron registered another goal in the third quarter as Clarence was on the extra man offense due to a Lockport holding penalty. Dan would make the Lions pay, firing it past the goalie for a 9-2 Red Devil lead.

Several minutes later, Dave Colicchia would close out the third quarter scoring on a pretty passing play. Dan Barron began the play on a cross-field pass to Zaprowski. Zaprowski fired another crossing pass over to "Click", who finished it off and a 10-2 Clarence lead after three.

Two goals would be scored in the final quarter. Collins-Hartwig scored his fourth of the day on a setup by Colicchia. The play began in the Clarence zone. Robinson scooped up a groundball and "legged" it up the field. Robinson fired it to Click, who found Collins-Hartwig for the last Clarence tally of the day. Lockport would close out the scoring late, capitalizing on a Clarence unnecessary roughness penalty. Nick Demarco registered his second of the day as he ripped a shot from the top right from 15 yards out.

The Devils' reserves were also able to show their stuff late. Tyler McCoy and Chris 'Trashtalk' Tornabene played well given their opportunity. Overall, a nice win. A very important game will take place on Friday against Lancaster up at CHS. Regardless of weather conditions, we hope to get a strong contingent of fans to attend. It should be a great game between two evenly matched teams. Hope to see you there!