Exeter 9   Andover 4
Exeter, NH , Friday, May 22nd -  It was a perfect setting to play a high school lacrosse game. The lights highlighted the beautiful green turf field, the stands were packed with enthusiastic fans for both sides, and you could feel the energy and anticipation coming from the players. In what has become a recent tradition, Andover came out strong against Exeter and managed to dominate ball possession for much of the first quarter. Good ball control by Andover coupled with some nervous unforced errors by Exeter allowed Andover to control the action. Despite the lopsided time of possession, Exeter scored first on a beautiful fast break led by LSM Matt Hatch who assisted Tyler Williams for a 1-0 Exeter lead. Andover's star middie responded with an unassisted goal 2 minutes later to knot the score, but Charlie Gill managed to squeeze home the first of his game high three goals just before the end of the first quarter to put Exeter ahead 2-1. Andover played their best lacrosse in the first half of the 2nd quarter and managed to score three unanswered goals in a six-minute span. This is when goalie Tyler Page was also at his best and made some of his toughest stops on the day to keep Exeter in the game. A 4-2 Andover lead could have easily been worse had it not been for Tyler's superb play. Tyler's play sparked the team in general and FROM MIDWAY THROUGH THE 2ND QUARTER UNTIL THE END OF THE GAME, EXETER PLAYED SHUTOUT LACROSSE. They eliminated the fast break threat that had caused all the problems in the 2nd quarter, and played dominant 6v6 defensive lacrosse. Long poles Sam Gardner, Matt Callahan, Alex Akoto, Matt Hatch, and Jeff Reppucci were all magnificent in both 1v1 defense and team concepts. When Andover tried to exploit short stick defenders, Tom Jardine and Mike Sotak were more than up to the challenge. Not only were they playing great defense, but clearing the ball to the offensive end was done almost without error. Meanwhile, a Walker Hallett goal near the end of the half was just the shot of adrenaline that a rather lackluster first half offense needed. When the BIG RED offense hit the field in the 3rd quarter, they were a confident and productive group. While Andover concentrated on stopping Exeter's All-American middie Eric Slingerland, the “young guns” on the team stepped it up big time. A pure hustle goal in true hockey style was checked off the goalies stick and into the cage by LSM Matt Hatch to start the ball rolling in the 3rd quarter. The next three goals of the 3rd quarter were scored by rookies as 10th graders Tyler Williams (2g, 2a), and Patrick Johnson (1g,1a) combined with 9th grader Charlie Gill (3g) to methodically start to put the game away. When Eric Slingerland made it an 8-4 contest a few minutes into the 4th quarter, one could sense a little panic on the Andover sideline. Andover tried to crank it up a notch and pressure Exeter all over the field in order to cause turnovers, but it resulted in a couple of penalties instead that allowed Exeter to continue to control the action. The 9th goal just before the 2-minute mark finished off Charlie Gill's hat trick and put the game away for sure. There were many game ball quality performances in this game. The coaches are awarding THREE game balls to the following: Tyler Williams for his career high 2 goal, 2 assist performance and great overall field play. Matt Hatch for superb work on the faceoff wing, midfield defense against Andover's top middies, and his offensive production of 1 goal and an assist. Tyler Page for another great performance in and out of the net, and his superb first half that kept the game from getting away early. It was a great way to finish a great season. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BIG RED LACROSSE TEAM and especially the seniors.
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Team	1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	Game Total
Exeter	2	1	4	2	9
Andover	1	3	0	0	4

Game Ball Winners - Matt Hatch , Tyler Page , Tyler Williams

Game Scoring - Goals - Slingerland, Gill (3), Williams (2), Hallett, Johnson, Hatch

                           Assists - Cassidy (3), Williams (2), Hatch , C.Page, Johnson, Jardine

Faceoffs Won/ Faceoff Attempted-Sotak 11/15

Saves/Shots on Goal - Page 8/12