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STATESMEN SCOREBOARD    VARSITY, FRI 3/30 STONE BRIDGE  8   MARSHALL  5      JV, FRI 3/30 MARSHALL  9   STONE BRIDGE  4

Stone Bridge High School, 3/30/07 --
SB: JV KNOCKS OFF BULLDOGS, QTR 4 UNDOES VARSITY
Both squads traveled to Stone Bridge on another gorgeous night for lacrosse. Our JV took the opener over the Bulldogs, 9-4, but our Varsity got zapped with a fourth-quarter blitz that gave Stone Bridge the win in regulation, 8-5.

Our JV wasn't originally scheduled to play tonight, but a last minute change by Stone Bridge sent us scurrying to try to get as many of our players there, dressed and ready to go. Which was a good thing, because the Bulldogs played us tough. Frankly, they've got some really fast players and we ended up scurrying just as much during the game as we'd done before the game. View From The Stands says our players stepped up Big Time and you could see the squad start to come together and "click"--both on offense and defense. Final score on this late-scheduled matchup, Marshall 9, Stone Bridge 4.

The Varsity played another tight game--carrying a 5-5 tie deep into the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs. But with the clock winding down in regulation, the Bulldogs broke through with what turned out to be a game-turning goal. Suddenly, our Statesmen had to gamble at every opportunity and the Bulldogs capitalized. And let's give 'em their due ... as we rolled into the fourth quarter, the Stone Bridge squad seemed to tap into an extra reserve. Their passing was crisp, the footwork was solid, and in a matter of minutes the 5-5 tie balooned to an 8-5 deficit.

We're off on Spring Break next week, but that doesn't mean "we're off" ... practices are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and of course Saturday. And as soon as we come back ... it's Monday Night Lacrosse against the Cavaliers at WT Woodson. Be there!

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VARSITY GAME: STONE BRIDGE 8 - MARSHALL 5
These are pictures from the Varsity game. Pictures from the JV game are on the JV Pix page!

Senior Co-Captains Kevin Hia #6 and Ben Yazman #1 come out first

#3 is Co-Captain Sam Mencarini and #24 is Michael Born

Can't be here without our managers! (That's Junior Tommy Miossi)

During warmups, the defense wears our red singlets ... (#27 Chris Newcomb)

And our face-off middies runs drills on the sideline

Coach Vasquez calls our Statesmen together for one last huddle

Middie Matthew Chamberlin #12 calls for help on the face-off

The Bulldogs get possession and press the attack. #2 Stephen Armstrong stands in at the first line, while #30 Taylor Delean sets up in back

The ball breaks loose and Kevin Hia breaks out of goal to pick it up!

Kevin led the clears - frequently running it out himself. Sometimes it seemed like he was running through the entire Stone Bridge team :-)

We get a chance on offense and Soph attackman Matt Stonehill #10 stickhandles past the defender

A sweet pass and suddenly Sam Mencarini is point blank on the goalie. Sam goes AIRBORNE and scores!

Welcome to the Fastest Sport On Two Feet! Mrs. Newcomb's widescreen pic shows our Statesmen in swarming blanket coverage, while Ben Yazman (middle) knocks the ball loose. Ball!

On a loose ball, everyone's gotta dig for possession. Attacker John Zettler #7 dives into the middle!

Oh man I LOVE this picture sequence! Junior middie Michael Born #24 lays a HUGE check on the much-taller Bulldogs attacker! How big was his hit? :-) Check the next pic!

OH MAN!   Attacker ... stick ... ball ... NEVER underestimate Michael Born. (Meanwhile #14 Phillip Beard picks up the pieces.)

Buckle up, 'cause this game is gonna get bumpy fast! And our Statesmen are rarin' to crank it up a notch. Freshman middie Kayvon Nikbakhshian #16 leaves the defender swinging for air!

#22 Jason Cheng streaks up the sideline!

In the middle of a storm Matt Stonehill keeps his eye on the prize!

Running the point, Michael Born fades away to make room for a pass

As we run our offense, the Bulldogs long sticks clamp down. From the very start this game is amazingly close!

In a game like this, ball control is critical

While Matthew Chamberlin sets a pick, middie Sam Newland gets open and winds up for a shot!

BAM!   (I toldja it was gonna get bumpy.) Kayvon Nikbakhshian takes a hit but keeps on ticking :-) Gotta get up again 'cause the hitting is picking up. Both squads are making this game physical!

Did someone say "physical"? Michael Born is picking on someone not-his-size again :-)

Oh man, did someone get the number of that truck? (I did. It was #24 :-)

Our defense is busy out here! #30 Taylor Delean has the ball and sets up the clear.

#20 is long stick middie Jonathan Chambers ... gettin' the ball over to the Bulldogs' side of the field.

All game long Ben Yazman is a monster. His defense is always strong, but what's amazing is how he stickhandles with that flagpole!

At the half, our Statesmen huddle up for the mid-game adjustments (and Coach Vasquez has their undivided attention!)

Meanwhile, a little over-the-top Big Heart support is always appreciated on the road! (OK, OK, so maybe we know these guys ... the JV knocked off the Bulldogs 9-4 earlier in the evening.)

The second half opens and it takes Kevin Hia about TWO SECONDS to start digging for loose balls in front of his crease!

And when Kevin runs it out, he's definitely got more moves than your average stuck-in-the-circle goalie :-)

It's rough and tumble with John Zettler and Sam Newland in the lane. Not for the faint of heart!

Again, Kevin is pretty active in the net ...

... because it's important to control your own crease!

#11 Eliot Gehley breaks up a play with the long stick ...

... while Ben Yazman picks up the loose ball and starts a critical fast break ...

... which sets up Kayvon Nikbakhshian for a HUGE shot on goal ...

SWEET!   Deep into the third quarter the game is amazingly tight! (I love this game! :-)

Stickhandling rules. Sam Newland hangs on while turning the corner!

Sam Mencarini opens up a little breathing room

Our Statesmen connect on a fast break to go up by one. But as the game wears on the Bulldogs tie it up ... time after time. Late in the fourth quarter, it's STILL TIED. Marshall 5, Stone Bridge 5. In the stands, it's white-knuckle time!

Oh man!   The Bulldogs break the tie late in the 4th quarter!

Phillip Beard and Sam Newland give chase, but this time Stone Bridge only needs to hang on for a few minutes!

This is no time to panic, but there's no time to waste either.

With time running out, we've gotta start gambling ...

The Bulldogs' #1 has lost his stick ... but we just can't get the pick-up. The gambling backfires and Stone Bridge scores again!

Down by two with no time left, we're still goin' for every possible chance!   Doesn't click.

Kevin stands in against this Stone Bridge offensive blitz, but the Bulldogs capitalize on another Statesmen gamble and take an 8-5 lead for the game's final score.

There you have it. A heartbreaking loss ... so close ... and yet it falls JUST out of reach!

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For your moment of Statesmen Zen, we bring you the LAX version of Last Man Standing. "I get knocked down - I get up again - You're never gonna keep me down!" Chumbawumba Pride!