A classic in Charlottesville. The #8 Virginia Cavaliers (4-1) get back to their winning ways with a classic against #19 High Point Panthers (1-3), 12-11. Virginia stormed out to an early 3-0 lead with less than five players. Peter Garno (2g), Ben Wayer picking up his first Collegiate assist setting up Grayson Slade (1g) and Connor Shellenberger (1g, 3a) converting a pretty feed from Xander Dickson.
High Point ended the rally 1:01 later with Koby Russell (1g) besting Virginia netminder, Alex Rode. The Cavs went right back to work fueled by Matt Moore (3g,2a), Petey LaSalla (1g) and Shellenberger assisting on another first for Wayer (1g,1a) this time scoring his first NCAA goal. The flurry ended the first stanza will Virginia seemingly in control, 6-1. High Point would have none of that and stormed the shore with a big rally. Clayton Krol (1g), AJ Kieran (1g), and Kevin Rogers (2g,1a) all scored in only fifty-two seconds. The Panthers were snarling and Rogers set up Dalton Sulver (2g,1a) before Asher Nolting (1g,2a) got High Point even at 6-6.
“ I loved how we started this game. I love the energy from the bench and I loved how our guys got excited for a 3 p.m. start in the middle of the week. Coming out of class at noon, 12:30 p.m., as a coach you get concerned – ‘are we ready to play?’ I was so excited about the start we had. High Point, you have to give them credit. This is never going to be an easy opponent to play.
They popped one forward on the fast break off the face-off. Then they had another transition goal, and all of a sudden it was 6-3 and they had some momentum going. It’s a tribute to Jon Torpey and the way he builds his teams, his men. They’re not intimidated by anyone, and they made some nice adjustments with their offense. I give them a lot of credit for pushing a little lower with their 1-4-1 wing dodge and making some really nice looks through our defense. We talked about that at halftime, and we made some adjustments there.”- Lars Tiffany
Another piece of history was made when Charlie Bertrand (1g) broke the deadlock. The goal continues Bertrand’s scoring streak which moves to a point in all 63 games he has played. With :01 on the clock, Shellenberger was back at it hitting Xander Dickson (1g,1a) to close the half with the Cavs holding a two goal cushion, 8-6.
It took 1:04 for Matt Moore to make it a three-goal advantage. Nolting assisted on the second Sulver goal to knock it back to a two-goal differential. Garno and Moore scoring his 11th of the season took us to the final quarter with Virginia clinging to a four-goal 11-7 lead.
Fifty-five seconds later, Ian Laviano (1g) scored what seemed to be the backbreaker for High Point. By now, we should know better. A furious final three minutes would reveal Kevin Rogers and Braydon Mayes (2g) markers and the Panthers were snarling again. Mayea added his second but, unfortunately for High Point. It came with only one second on the clock and Virginia dodged a bullet to go to 4-1 on the season.
Alex Rode, Virginia goaltender was outstanding with 19 saves which included 12 in the first half. High Point received goals from eight different players with Rogers and Sulver each notching a pair. Virginia one-upped with ten different scorers with Matt Moore getting three and Peter Garno adding two. A Classic in Charlottesville.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
