The Cambridge Boys Lacrosse team opened their 2020 season on the road against the South Forsyth War Eagles, on Wednesday February 12th winning 8-7 to start the season 1-0.
Showing some great early energy, the Bears defense stuffed the War Eagles early and often. Given several early turnovers by the Bears offense the defensive unit stood tall, including several great early saves by Freshman Goalie, Drew Toeppner, while shutting out South in their first six possessions.
The first quarter was a struggle for both teams though time of possession favored South Forsyth. Senior Captain, Chase DuMond, put the Bears on the board with an early 1-0 lead after Tyler Morris found him just above the goal line for the first point of the season. The lead was quickly erased as the War Eagles tied it near the end of the quarter. The Bears had several good looks on goal coming off several defensive stops, including a heads up play by Freshman Midfielder Jack Marlow where he intercepted a pass on a defensive clear. Senior Defenseman, Matthew Lodigensky, was aggressive all night.
During the 2nd quarter, Lodigensky made one clean steal near the goal and caused another turnover just minutes later. The Bears had a golden opportunity midway through Q2 with a two-man up possession. South's defense stiffened leaving the Bears without a point during that possession. The War Eagles took advantage of several favorable bounces and jumped ahead 1-3 before the Bears regained composure. Sophomore Attackman, Tyler Morris, made a nifty behind the net dodge move on an unassisted score cutting the lead to 2-3. Senior Captain, Reese Pieroni, just missed on a fastball rip however as the South goalie cleared the ball upfield, Pieroni deflected the pass and then grabbed the loose ball injecting some new energy into the offense. Seconds later, the speedy Zach Shiffman laced a pass to teammate, Chase DuMond, who drove the ball into the back of the net to tie the game.
Face-off Specialist, Charlie Cardullo, battled all game making several key face-off wins during the 2nd quarter helping offensive momentum. In one of the few fast breaks on the night, the Bears defense—anchored by Senior Captain Mathew Schnetzka---delivered the ball quickly up field where Bryson Hawkins passed it to the waiting Tyler Morris for a quick score giving the Bears a 4-3 lead. Yet again the opponents fought back to tie the game as the first half neared its end. The Bears were determined to gain the lead before the half as Senior Bryson Hawkins faked his man and fired a shot into the net just before halftime. Hawkins was a force all evening collecting loose balls and making timely assists for the offense to go with that key goal.
The second half started much like the first half as each team battled hard on the defensive end. Holding the 5-4 lead midway through the third quarter, the Bears worked as one unit to add to the lead. In one of the games key highlights, Goalie Toeppner battled for a save and found fellow freshman, Jack Marlow streaking up the field. Marlow, making many key plays in his first varsity game, found DuMond in the middle of the offensive side of the field. The senior Captain drilled the ball to Hawkins who zipped it to the waiting Morris collecting his third goal of the game giving the Bears a 6-4 lead. From there the home team chipped away at Cambridge by first cutting the lead to 6-5 as the quarter expired.
The War Eagles steadily took control over most of the final quarter as both teams consistently made defensive stops. After tying the game again early in the 4th quarter, the home team found the net to take a 6-7 lead with under five minutes to play. The fourth quarter included several key defensive plays by both teams but none more important than the stop made by Cambridge with three minutes to play where the defenders---Lodigensky, Schnetza, Ethan Landry and Noah McClain stiffened to cause one more turnover giving the ball to the offense for a chance to tie. Senior Ian Oblen's hustle play during a battle for a loose ball caused a penalty on South Forsyth giving the Bears a man up possession with less than two minutes to play. The offense worked the ball back and forth trying to draw defenders out of position. As the clock continued to elapse, Bryson Hawkins delivered a perfect pass to DuMond who delivered a fireball from 15 yards out that the goalie had no chance to stop. DuMond's third goal of the game was a dagger to the home team as the game was tied a 7-7.
Sophomore, Charlie Cardullo, once again won a key face off battle as the clock counted under one minute to play. On a night of strong play by the entire team, Tyler Morris would not be denied as the Sophomore scored with 22 seconds left ensuring the lead and celebratory victory.
It was a total team win by Cambridge who will take their 1-0 record into the first home game on Tuesday February 18th against North Gwinnett.