Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
In old horror movies, we were advised, “If are queasy, you may not want to watch this.”
Well, if you are a fan of lacrosse defense, you may want to look away.
In Arena Lacrosse League West, the Shooting Eagles (6-6) outscored the Black Fish (4-8) by an 18-13 score.
The Eagles claimed second place despite a 1-4 start of their season.
What if I told you, besides the 31 goals, there were 82 points.
A combined 29 players hit the score sheet and three goaltenders assists.
Thomas Semple, fresh from the Georgia Swarm, suited up for the Eagles
Without any ALL practice or game time, Semple turned in a 6 point game.
“I like to get myself in the game by making a play and bang bodies around; just be a presence out there and do whatever I can to help the team out, After a quarter or two, you learn everyone’s tendencies and figure it out. You kind of get the grip of it and get in the swing of things.” Semple said.
Grab a Sandwich and a Beverage for This
It took just twenty one seconds for Dylan LaCroix (3g,3a) to hit net off a Rhys Blake set up to giving the Eagles a quick lead,1-0.
Ethan M’Lot (2g,4a) answered with help from Greg Lunde and Ryan Jones (1a).
The Eagles unfurled the first run of the affair fueled by, Garrett Winter (2g,5a), Mark Yingling (4g,1a), a man up score from Jake Foster (2g,2a) just :48 later and, finally, LaCroix converting an outlet from netminder, Brody Harris on a short handed strike.
The Black Dish took the hit and said, “hold my beer” and had an answer.
At 2:49 Chase McIntyre (2g,2a) jumpstarted a rally to erase the first four goal lead of the match.
Greg Lunde (2g,3a), Anthony Buono (1g) and a man up from Laszlo Henning (1g,2a) erased the four goal run to end the 5-5 quarter.
Just Getting Started
At the 12:41 mark, Semple (4g, 2a) joined the action and stopped the run.Chapin Adlington (1g) had an answer at 9:53.
Semple said, “oh yeah” and hit net again fourteen seconds later.
Liking it so much, Semple scored again to get his hat trick in just 4:09.
M’Lot got it to an 8-7 contest and Winter putting home a Justin Digby set up to get it to 9-7.
With :33 left, who else? Semple added his fourth of the quarter to close the half with a 10-7 Eagles lead.
Can This Get Any Better?
Justin Digby (2g,1a) gave the Eagles a second four goal lead.
Inexplically, there would only be two more third quarter goals.
McIntyre and Nick Jensen (1g) cut the deficit to two at 11-9.
Still a Long Way to Go
The Black Fish kept the pressure on and just eight seconds in, it was Nathan Romanchych (1g, 1a) cutting it a one goal game
Yet another man advantage tally, this one from Jon Phillips (1g,4a) erased the second four goal lead.
Yingling,followed by Digby just :44 later put the Eagles back up two.
Make it three as Lecroix converted from Winter and Yingling
The trio of goals came in just 88 seconds
Nick Scott (1g,1a) got it to a 14-12 score.
Foster and Yingling stretched things to 16-12.
At 2:55, Lunde attempted to jump start a comeback but, the Eagles would have none of that
A pair of empty net goals, first from Sam Clare (1g, 3a) at 1:01 and Yingling at :39 sealed the deal.
“The Black Fish came out and were really physical and after two weeks off, I was worried that was going to happen and we were going to collapse, and we didn’t. We withstood it when we need to, we fought back when we needed to, we stayed hot on the balls, and it turned out in our favour,” said Shooting Eagles coach Adam Smith.
Info
Brody Harris had 58 saves on 71…yes,71 Black Fish shots. In addition, he added a pair of helpers.
Gordy Bowden played 37:15 with 8 goals on 33 shots.
David Mather allowed 8 goals on 24 shots and threw in an assist
• The Eagles we’re 1 for 3 on the power play with a shorthanded marker.
• The Fish we’re outstanding going 4 for 4.
• The Black Fish’ Nick Scott was excellent with his 13 of 14 from the “X and a goal.and an apple.
The Black Fish take on the Sea Spray (9-3) while the Shooting Eagles tackle the Grizzlies (5-7) in playoff action.
One For the Ages in Langley.
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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