DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

SALVATORE EXPLODES FOR 5 GOALS IN ROUT OF RAIDERS
COLICCHIA GOES 4 AND 3 ON THE DAY
SYTY, SKURA AND BRYCE COMBINE FOR 22 GROUNDBALLS

(CLARENCE) For the second time in as many games, the Clarence Red Devils lacrosse team exploded for 20 goals. This time the victim was the Jamestown Red Raiders. The Raiders came into Monday's contest winners of only two games, both over cellar dwellars; North Tonawanda and Silver Creek. However, it was business as usual for the Red Devils who dominated play for the majority of the contest. Clarence won many of the one-on-one battles, scoopingh up a season high 77 ground balls. Again, it was an opportunity for many of the developing players on the squad to get some quality game experience. Dan Salvatore was an important story of the day as he fired in five goals. Salvatore, predominately used as a midfielder, took over for an injured Mark Lopian at one of the attack positions. The change seemed to be a better fit for Salvatore as he dominated for much of the second and third quarters. Dave Colicchia had another game for the stats book, recording four goals, three assists, and picking up five ground balls in the process.

Dave Colicchia ( 4g, 3a ) got the offense rolling on a nice passing play from Mark Lopian. Click found the opening and buried it for his first goal of the day. Next, the Devils benefitted from a six on three man advantage after a frustrated Raider defense picked up two slashing and an unsportsmanlike penalty on the same play. The Clarence EMO went to work and popped in a goal off the stick of Dan Barron ( 3g, 3a ). Midfielder John Syty set Barron up on a nice feed and the Devils led 2 to 0.

Jamestown's time of possession was very limited throughout the contest. However, they managed to fight back after the first two scores, cutting the Clarence lead to one. Midfielder Mike Brooks snuck behind the Red Devil defense and snapped off a shot, beating Clarence goalie Ryan Duff in the process. The play was set up off a nice pass and assist from Matt Comella.

Barron led the Devils back on an man advantage goal after a Raider tripping penalty. The play was set up by Jordan Collins-Hartwig ( 1g, 2a ) who made a great pass to an awaiting Barron off the right crease. Dan buried his chance and the Red Devils led 3 to 1. Collins-Hartwig had a businesslike afternoon, spending much of his time creating offensive scoring opportunities, feeding other players and inflicting contusions to the legs of the Jamestown defense. The next Clarence goal came off some hardwork by Jordan as he dodged his way through the top of the Raider defense and fired a long, hard shot on the goaltender. The goalie blocked the shot but gave up a rebound just outside the crease. Click was in the right spot at the right time, scooping it up and beating the goalie for a 5 to 1 lead.

Click picked up his third a short time later. The play developed as Barron dodged in and around the back of the net. Finally, spotting his attack partner just outside the crease, Barron flung the ball over to Click who quick-sticked it home. Colicchia has done a great job in recent games finishing off his chances. A good sign, as the Devils will be counting on him in coming games.

Dan Salvatore ( 5g ) finished off the scoring in the first quarter. The junior mid/attackman scored his first goal of the day off a nice play in the Red Devil zone. A groundball pickup was fired out to Barron just across midfield. Barron sent it down to Colicchia who found an open Salvatore for the shot. Salvatore buried it behind the Jamestown goalie with a fast, hard shot. The score after the first quarter stood at 6 to 1 Clarence.

The second quarter was much of the same, as the Devils scored four unanswered goals and dominated play throughout. Salvatore picked up where he left off, scoring the first goal of the second quarter. The play was set up on a nice skip pass from Colicchia. Salvatore ripped another hard shot past the Jamestown netminder. Collins-Hartwig tallied the next goal. Jordan fired a nice shot past the goalie after a long, sharp pass from Barron. The goal increased the lead to 8 to 1. Barron helped create the next Clarence score off a nice array of dodges. Barron's movement helped draw the defensive slide, opening up a lane for Salvatore. Salvatore ripped home his third of the day on a strong, hard shot from the right slot area.

As we know, midfielder Josh Rawdin is not tall in stature but plays "big". Known for his defensive ability and groundball work, Rawdin has shown his offensive prowess as of late. He could have used an extra inch or two on his stick late in the second quarter, as he took a long high pass from Barron. The ball looked as though it would sail high past the outstreched arms of our "vertically-challenged" friend. However, Rawdin somehow snagged the ball into his stick and then turned and fired a hard shot past the Raider goaltender. Rawdin's goal finished off the scoring in the first half. Clarence 10 - Jamestown 1.

The second half reflected the first as Clarence dominated in both ball possession and goal scoring. A great deal of the credit should go to the Red Devils midfielders and defense who limited the Raider shots and won most of the groundball battles. John Syty ( 1g, 3a) led Clarence with 9 groundball pickups. JD Skura, Caleb Higgins and Nick Robinson combined for an additional 15.

The streak continues! Midfield workhorse Mark Bryce registered his fourth straight game with one goal or more. This goal was pretty by Bryce standards as he took a nice feed from Barron at X while cutting through the Jamestown defense. Bryce "quicked" it home to get the third quarter underway.

The Raiders notched their second goal of the game as the Red Devil defense played a little sloppy in their own end. Jamestown attackman Andy Lamb snuck it in from the front of the crease area. The play was set up on a nice dodge and assist from John Miller. The goal made the score 11 to 2.

Thriving in his newfound position, Salvatore again went to work. His next goal was his most athletic of the day. Dodging from behind the crease, Salvatore drove past his defender, whipping a shot past the goaltender from the right slot. Minutes later, Salvatore scored his fifth and final goal of the game. This goal came off a pass from Barron. The shot came from about 10 yards off the top middle area. The scoreboard read: 13 to 2 Red Devils.

Dan Barron registered his third and final goal of the afternoon on a nice play by John Syty. Syty won a groundball battle at midfield and quickly passed down to Barron. The Raider defense was unsettled and Barron fired it in for the score. Barron and Syty were extremely active throughout the contest, creating scoring opportunities for many of their teammates.

The next Clarence goal came off the stick of Neil Stalker ( 2g ). Soccer and basketball star, JJ Hughes, has shown great potential in his fledgling lacrosse career, mainly using his speed and explosiveness to outwork his opponents. Hughes picked up four groundballs and two assists on the afternoon to help the Devil cause. Stalker was solid as well, picking up three groundballs and scoring two goals. The tandem worked well together on this scoring play. Stalker became the recipient of a Hughes feed, and then blasted a great bounce shot past the Raider goalie. Colicchia finished the scoring in the third quarter. This Click goal was somewhat different than most, as he dodged hard through the middle of the Raider defense and fired a running shot in to make it 16 to 2.

The Devils scored four more unanswered goals in the fourth quarter. Chris "The Goal Machine" Tornabene continued his scoring contributions on his best goal of the season. Tornabene was impressive, powering from behind the net past two Jamestown defenders. After creating a good angle shot, Chris turned and fired a blast into the net to collect his third goal in the past two games. Syty scored his fifteenth goal of the season midway into the quarter. Hughes found Syty alone in the left crease after drawing a slide from the Raider D-poles. Syty buried it, and Clarence took an 18 to 2 lead.

Neal Stalker's next goal was built on hard work. Stalker fought it out for a groundball at the midfield. After gaining possession, he stormed down the center of the field, made a dodge or two and bounced a beauty into the goal. Finally, junior midfielder Tyler "Air" McCoy scored his first of the season. McCoy, who registered three groundballs on the day, contributed offensively on a nice shot. Determined to get his first, McCoy drove hard to the net, then suddenly jumped high over the Jamestown defender to fire the shot. The goal was a nice reward for McCoy who has played very well in recent games.

The 20 to 2 drubbing of Raiders was over. The Devils must now turn their attention to Williamsville South on Wednesday and Friday's matchup against West Seneca West which has important playoff implications. Hope to see everyone there!