Exeter 12 Pinkerton 10
April 13th, Exeter, NH - Today's game was a high
level, hard-fought, and tight clash between two of the top lacrosse programs
in New England. Exeter prevailed 12-10 in a game that featured great athleticism
and hustle on the part of both squads. This victory avenges Exeter's 5-7 loss
from last year, and stopped a Pinkerton 35-game win streak that extended back
to the middle of the 2000 season. Last season,
Pinkerton's 20-0 record earned them a laxpower 2nd place rating in all of
New England behind the Taft School, and a 10th place rating in the final national
computer rankings. Exeter finished 10th in all of New England last season,
and 43rd nationally.
Exeter jumped in the lead with three quick unanswered goals in the first four
minutes of play. These goals by Suresh Jones, Casey D'Annolfo, and Ryan Ambs
were especially important because they marked the first career Exeter goals
for both Suresh and Ryan. Pinkerton came storming back behind their all-star
attackman Brian Boyle. He scored two first quarter goals to make the game
3-2. Then, after an Alan Eberstein goal put Exeter ahead 4-2 at the end of
the 1st quarter, he scored two more goals to knot the game at 4-4 just two
minutes into the 2nd quarter. The defenses for both teams tightened up at
this point, each allowing only one more goal in the 2nd quarter. Exeter blew
the game open with their usual 3rd quarter outburst. It must be the halftime
talks. The big red scored four unanswered goals in less than six minutes to
go ahead 9-5. Alan Eberstein scored three of those goals and assisted Suresh
Jones on the other. Pinkerton scored just once in the 3rd period, but Eberstein
responded with his 5th goal of the game to keep the margin at four and a 10-6
lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. Pinkerton tried to mount a charge in the
4th quarter, but when they scored their 7th and 8th goals of the game, Exeter
answered immediately with their 11th and 12th goals by Casey and Colin Thune
respectively. Exeter led by a 12-8 score with less than 3 minutes to go, but
Pinkerton never gave up. Two goals in succession by the amazing Boyle made
it a 12-10 game, but Exeter controlled the ball the final two minutes and
ran out the clock. This was a BIG win, a total team effort, and many players
doing an amazing job. It is fitting to reward more than one game ball for
this contest, and middie Suresh Jones,
and long pole Gabe Wood are both deserving
of the honor. Suresh not only pumped in 3 goals on the day, but he was great
as a wing man on faceoffs, played a key role in the defensive scheme, and
scooped up ground balls all over the field. Gabe was an iron man as a long
pole middie. He also played great on faceoffs, was crucial to the defense,
cleared the ball effectively against pressure, and was a ground ball monster.
Gabe even assisted on a goal and hit the pipe with a shot of his own. Also
deserving mention are the other offensive stars Eberstein (5 goals, 1 assist),
D'Annolfo (2 goals, 2 assists), and Thune (1 goal, 2 assists). In addition,
the defense and clearing of Matt Perdoni, Ben Gage, Seth Coburn, Tom Rubel,
and James Sheehan was outstanding. Wyatt Golding remains amazing on faceoffs,
and Gavin Nurick and Ryan Voccola were also outstanding in settling the ball
under a lot of Pinkerton pressure. Jeff Miller continues his great play in
the goal and on the clears.
See Game Pics
|
Team |
1st quarter |
2nd quarter |
3rd quarter |
4th quarter |
Game Total |
|
Exeter |
4
|
1
|
5
|
2
|
12
|
|
Pinkerton |
2
|
3
|
1
|
4
|
10
|
Game Ball Winners - Suresh Jones, Gabe Wood
Game Scoring - Goals - Eberstein (5), Jones (3), D'Annolfo (2), Ambs, Thune
Assists - D'Annolfo (2), Thune (2), Eberstein, Voccola, Wood
Saves/Shots on Goal - Miller 11/21