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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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JV GAME: MARSHALL 9 - STONE BRIDGE 4
These are pictures from the JV game. Pictures from the Varsity game are on the Varsity Pix page!

Meeting the Bulldogs at midfield - #2 Matt Hia, #29 Collin Newcomb, #41 Andrew Embree, #45 Sachin Dumra, #28 Brandon McCullen, #12 Nick Picone, #18 Craig Murphy, #27 Alex Guerin, #37 Nick Keshavarz-Nia and #22 Peter Martinez.

Coach Engley with last-minute instructions in the huddle ...

... and the Statesmen JV lacrosse squad is ready and rarin' to go!

That's #18 Craig Murphy on the face-off and the GAME IS ON!   (In a textbook face-off, Craig is lower than the other guy, has better position, and is driving with his legs. The ball goes to the Statesmen!)

We're gonna have to play this tight. #41 Andrew Embree and #45 Sachin Dumra mark the attacker step for step.

Every loose ball is an opportunity ... #26 Owen Weiss cuts in front to make a try for it!

BAM! #28 Brandon McCullen lowers the boom. :-)

BAM again! #15 Steven Nguyen gets his own boom lowered. The hitting starts early in this contest!

When the hitting picks up, ya gotta take advantage! Frosh defender Alex Guerin #27 gets the clear and starts the fast break.

Middies Viktar OpdeBeke #36 and Austin Raymer #33 work the advantage! Viktar gets a clear shot and our Statesmen are taking an early lead in this game.

Nothin' comes easy on the LAX field (the sooner you learn that the better. :-) #29 Collin Newcomb leans into another big hit!

#2 Matt Hia is playin' tough in goal, but he's also ready to mix it up as we wait for this pop-up to come back to earth :-)

The Bulldogs fall behind, but they're quick to come back as well. We have SO gotta get our clears out cleanly!

Collin Newcomb runs the clear all the way into Stone Bridge territory!

MAN he's quick! #22 Peter Martinez turns on a dime and leaves the defender swinging for air!

The Bulldogs Defense is tenacious out here tonight! Owen Weiss stickhandles through a huge poke check.

Sharp, crisp passing - Brandon McCullen snaps off a quick toss!

#25 Cameron Herbolsheimer takes a check to the chest and blasts right through it! It looks like the JV is startin' to click out here.

OK, so we played a solid first half and earned a nice lead ... (Coach Antonellis leads this halftime huddle.)

... but if we don't keep up the pressure, the lead won't hold! (Coach Engley offers up encouragement!)

Comin' out for the second half, it's all about who has the ball ... EVERYONE gets their stick in play!

Yikes! Sometimes the scoop pick is more scoop and not enough pick! :-)

BOOM ! Oh. My. Goodness. A monster hit by Craig Murphy causes EVERYONE in the stands to groan in sympathy. (Important lesson for oppo offense: Always know where #18 is :-)

CLANG !   Cameron Herbolsheimer puts in a sweet shot off the pipe!

We've got a pretty good lead goin' into the fourth quarter, but there's no quit in these Bulldogs. We have to stay sharp on defense!

Long stick middie Nick Picone #12 closes in on the Bulldogs' biggest shotmaker!

OOPS ! Collin zigs when he should'a zagged :-)

#41 Andrew Embree shows off a huge wingspan

But when push comes to shove, it's the crease ya gotta control! Collin and Andrew apply the squeeze out front while Matt Hia cuts off the angle.

Coach Gehley looks nervous (View From The Stands says he looks confident :-)

Team speed counts for a lot ... Soph Nick Picone races up the sideline on D ...

... while Craig Murphy always seems to be out in front of the pack!

HANG ON DEFENSE! Collin leans into a check to hold his ground. Andrew Embree is goin' for the loose ball, while #15 Steven Nguyen comes in to join in the fun!

That's Sachin Dumra clearing on defense!

Time's running out and Austin Raymer stands up his man with a close check

Matt Hia controls, the Statesmen hold off the late-game rush, and our we take the JV opener, pretty convincingly, on the road against Stone Bridge - Final score: Statesmen 9, Bulldogs 4

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For your moment of Statesmen Zen, we bring you one more look at life in the crease. Matt Hia blocks the shot AND gathers in the rebound while Mrs. Newcomb gets a great picture of the Bulldogs attacker (left) trying to dive for his shot! - Dive. Swim. Or dog paddle. Matt was watertight!