Shooting Eagles Shut Down Sea Spray
Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly- Part of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
The first place Sea Spray (5-2) were shut down by the Shooting Eagles (3-4) in Arena Lacrosse League Action in the Langley Events Center, 13-10.
“Massive. We wanted to come out and prove we could play defence, that is the thing we have kept preaching the last couple of weeks,” said coach Adam Smith. “‘These guys are the top-scoring team in the league and to keep them under eight goals until a few minutes left, that was fantastic. It was a huge statement game for us.”
What Went On
A 7-0 start by the Shooting Eagles made the difference in this one.
The Sea Spray couldn’t get a handle on the Eagles defense but, put up a valiant effort despite the loss.
The first stanza was all Shooting Eagles who jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to, Doug Porter (2g) scoring short-handed at 7:06 with help from Coady Adamson.(1a).
Jake Foster (4g,4a) started his huge day when he took advantage of a pretty passing play from Mark Yingling and Declan Fitzpatrick (1a) at 2:36.
Dean Fairall (4g, 3a) stepped up with a pair to end the opening quarter with a 4-0 Eagles lead.
It Continues
It took all of twenty three seconds for Fairall to acquire his hat-trick followed by Foster on the advantage at 12:45 and again at 8:13 to push it to 7-0.
Aidan Ellis (1g) got the Sea Spray on the board that jump started a rally.
Sam Clare (2g) hit rope on an advantage with Adam Dickson (4a) and Tyler Kirkby (5a) helping out.
Kirkby kept the run going when he fed a pretty pass to Preston Lupul (2g) at 5:34 to cut it to a 7-3 game.
The Eagles had enough of that and fired back with Fairall and James Rahe dishing to Mark Yingling (1g, 4a) that closed the half with an 8-4 Shooting Eagles lead.
Third Quarter
Rahe and Foster set up the hot hand of Fairall at 12:43 with Gordie Phillips (1a) countering thirty eight seconds later.
James Rahe (2g,6a) registered his first career ALL goal (in his first game) that got it to a 10-4 game.
Parker Kump (2g, 1a) and Rob Hofseth (1g) would each score for the Sea Spray to make it a 10-6 contest.
Now or Never for Sea Spray
Sea Spray netminder, Matteo Tack hooked up with David Byrne on a long transition pass that Byrne (1g, 1a) made no mistake on and, with 10:01 to play, things were tightening up, 10-7.
Foster and Fairall helped Rahe to bag his second pushing it to a four goal game at 11-7.
Kump hit on the advantage at 3:06 followed at 2:42 with another power play tally from Clare.
That quick it was a one goal game, 11-10.
With :36 remaining, Foster hit net with Porter following suit 25 seconds later to end the 13-10 mini upset.
Dis and Dat
The Sea Spray are now in a tie. For first place with the Grizzlies.
The Sea Spray went 3 for 5 on the advantage while the Eagles were 1 for their 5.
Gordie Phillips went 16 of 25 from the “X” for the Spray.
Shots on Goal went the way of the Eagles, 47-46 with Brody Harris stopping 37 Sea Spray shots.
Matteo Tuck knocked away 33 for the Spray.
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.
