Fairfield drops their opener, 18-17. A score fest in Rhode Island as The Providence Friars (2-2) welcomed the Fairfield Stags (0-1) to Providence Stadium. Each time one squad started to gather momentum, they would be stopped.
The Stags scored the first two and 3 of the first four thanks to Matt Chiastawa (2g,1) and Travis Ford (2g,1) putting it at 2 zip. Two and a half minutes later, Tim Hinrichs set up Brendan Driscoll (2g,1) before Fairfield countered off a Taylor Strough (3g,1) goal that pushed it back to a two-goal edge. Ryan Nawrocki (2g,1a) followed by Dan Axelson (2g,2a) would get things knotted up. Kyle Borda (1g,1a) took all of forty-three ticks to put Fairfield back up before Mike O’Grady (1g) stepped up and once again, tie the game.
Do we see a trend being set here? Strough and Nawrocki exchanged markers to keep it tied. The Nawrocki goal came with just :35 remaining so it appeared the quarter would end at 5-5. Save your breath as the Nawrocki goal ignited a Providence run. Axelson closed the quarter with :03 to play and the Friars boasting a 6-5 advantage.
The second quarter was pretty much all Providence with run reaching five total goals. Tim Hinrichs (4g,1a) was the star of the stanza. He notched two in a row followed by a man up goal from Ryan Zimmerman (4g,2a). Tyler Wuchte (1g) stemmed the Friars tide but Hinrichs added his third of the quarter to give Providence a seemingly comfortable four goal edge at 10-6.
Fairfield opened the third by cutting the lead to two thanks to Dylan Beckwith (2g, 3a) at 12:37 and Strough just twenty-two seconds later. Providence roared back and said, “hold my beer.” Matt Grillo (2g), Zimmerman, and Grillo pushed it to 13-8. Fairfield not only held the Providence beer but drank it.
Chiastawa, Beckwith, Shane Osborn (1g) and twelve seconds later, Patrick Drake. Hinrichs ended the onslaught before Drake hit a pair to close the third with, you guessed it, a tie, 14-14. Chris Cusolito (1g,1a) and Zimmerman gave Providence a 16-14 advantage.
You can hazard a guess as to what would happen next. Travis Ford (1g) and Trent Moran (1g) once again evened it up. Brendan Driscoll at 2:21 and with :53 to go, Zimmerman seemed to end it but, Fairfield had no quit with Dean Ford (1g) making it 18-17 with :36 remaining.
The Stags couldn’t find the equalizer and the curtain came down on an absolute classic, 18-17. Fairfield drops their opener, 18-17.
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.
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