Exeter 5  Avon Old Farms 9
Sun, 4/13 Avon, CT - After finally being able to play on a field after more than a week practicing indoors, Exeter lost a tough 9-5 game to perennial western powerhouse Avon Old Farms. Early in the game, Exeter played exactly like you would expect for a team that had a total of two outdoor practices and one game. The hosts, who had spent a week playing in Florida during their spring break, were much sharper in their skills and general team play. Nevertheless, Exeter played hard and did not let an early 2-0 Avon lead discourage them. Mike Hines made it a 2-1 game near the end of the 1st quarter with a great outside shot on an extra-man feed from Suresh Jones. Mike's 2nd goal of the game in the 2nd quarter answered an earlier goal from Avon, and made it a 3-2 game. Meanwhile, the defense of Wiley Dornseif, Will Tuttle, Stew Stout, and Tom Rubel were keeping a very good Avon offense at bay despite a lopsided possession time in favor of Avon. Goalie Julian Rodier made several key saves as well, and was also playing excellent lacrosse. Avon went up 4-2 with less than a minute to play in the half on a man up situation that resulted from a terrible call by one of three poor officials doing the game. (Both coaches agreed after the game that this was a badly officiated contest with many bad calls or missed calls for both sides). Avon struck first in the 3rd quarter to go up 5-2, but Eric Horan scored the first of his two goals off a Tom Petty feed to narrow the margin back to two. Avon and Exeter traded goals twice more with Eric's second goal of the day, and a Sloan Smith solo score. This made the score 7-5 in Avon's favor with 6 minutes to play in the game. When Avon started quasi stall tactics, Exeter was forced to pressure all over the field and the result was Avon icing the game with two more goals near the end. Although the defeat was disappointing, playing a game on a beautiful day was just what this team needed. Exeter matched up well with a very talented and well-coached Avon team, and the coaches were very encouraged about what the future will bring the rest of this season. Click to see Pictures from game.

Team	1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	Game Total
Exeter	1	1	1	2	5
Avon Old Farms	2	2	2	3	9

Game Scoring - Goals - Hines(2), Horan(2), Smith

                           Assists - Petty, Jones

Saves/Shots on Goal - Rodier 10/19