Exeter 7 Deerfield 11
Saturday, May 17th - Deerfield, MA - As expected, the
Big Red played hard and well against one
of the top 10 teams in the country in Deerfield Academy.
Deerfield capitalized on a couple of breaks early in the game to take a 4-0
lead at the end of the first stanza. Exeter was playing well and needed some
good fortune to shine down on them just like the sun on this 75 degree day.
It happened. In a man up situation, Sloan Smith ripped a hard shot
just under the cross bar to put Exeter on the board. This was the break that
was needed. The Big Red poured it on and pressured
Deerfield for the remainder of the second quarter. Sloan added his
second goal of the day to make the 4-2 with five minutes gone in the 2nd quarter.
The momentum was swinging in the Exeter direction. Deerfield added on one
more tally, but Exeter countered it with a beautiful invert move by team Captain
Suresh Jones. This made the score 5-3 and a great game was evolving.
Deerfield picked up the pressure and with just under two minutes left in the
half managed to add to their lead and it looked like the half would end 6-3.
However, Exeter turned the ball over and with 1 tick left on the clock until
halftime, Deerfield managed to score and we headed to the half with Deerfield
ahead 7-3. With some minor adjustments during the break Exeter came out and
played some of their best lacrosse all year. The Deerfield coach stated after
the game that during the third quarter, "Exeter controlled every facet of
the game especially the ground balls." This ball control led to three goals
by Exeter during this time while the defense of Wiley Dornseif, Will Tuttle,
Stew Stout, Tom Rubel, and John Reed held the powerful Deerfield
offense to a single goal. Mike Hines scored on a beautiful high bounce
shot from the top of the box, Chris Mottau ripped one to the off hip
side of the goalie, and Tom Petty scored on a beautiful inside roll
move. The score stood at 8-6 heading into the final quarter and the game was
becoming a barn burner. Both teams had electrified the crowd, the atmoshere
was great, and it felt like we were at a great small college venue instead
of a prep school game. Exeter and Deerfield traded goals. Mike Hines
beat his defender and pumped in a nice bounce shot to make the score 9-7 with
8 minutes to play. From the middle of the first period, goalie Julian Rodier
was as they say "en feugo". Julian recorded 17 saves on the afternoon,
with some in the spectacular category. Julian and the BIG
RED solid team defense held Deerfield at bay until the last three minutes
of the contest. With the score 9-7 and less than six minutes to play, Exeter
had to extend defensive pressure. In an otherwise well officiated game, we
were called for a weak pushing penalty on a great hustling play. This was
an unlucky break and the Big Green put in a man-up goal to make the score
10-7. Deerfield added one more score after Rodier made the last of
his 17 saves on another great play. By pure chance, the saved ball deflected
directly to the stick of a Deerfield attacker and he placed it in the empty
net. This made the final score Deerfield 11 Exeter 7. There were so many great
performances in this game that it would be unjust to mention a few players.
The bench support was fantastic and inspiring to those on the field. The coaches,
with the addition of assistant Ryan Glennon, were pleased with the
performance and proud of the boys. Next up a powerful Holderness team Many
thanks to all the parents in attendance and to the Nuricks who spearheaded
another fantastic finish at the tailgate.
Click here for game pictures.
|
Team |
1st quarter |
2nd quarter |
3rd quarter |
4th quarter |
Game Total |
|
Exeter |
0
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
7
|
|
Deerfield |
4
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
11
|
Game Scoring - Goals - Hines(2), Smith(2), Petty, Jones, Mottau
Assists - Petty(2), Jones, Ambs
Saves/Shots on Goal - Rodier 17/28