HOMER 3 GOALS, 3 ASSISTS; FAIRWEATHER 3 GOALS
Very little mercy was shown by the third-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School boys lacrosse Raiders when they hosted the seventh-seeded Cranford Cougars in the quarterfinal round of the Union County Tournament at Scotch Plains on May 7. The 7-7 Raiders jumped all over the Cougars with five first-quarter goals before Cranford could even get a shot on goal en route a 17-1 rout. The victory set up a semifinal showdown with the second-seeded Summit Hilltoppers on May 9.
Less than two minutes into the game with 10:19 on the clock, Raider midfielder Jake Timchak (2 goals, 2 ground balls) got in front of the Cougars’ net and slammed one home then a minute later at 9:11 showing, attacker Nick Homer got in close from the left side and fired in the second goal. It took three minutes for the Raiders to make the score 3-0 when attacker Aidan Fairweather, who would finish with three goals and two ground balls, flicked in a left side, sidearm shot.
With 4:59 left in the quarter, Asher Silva (2 assists, 2 ground balls) assisted Homer on his second goal, which was a left side stuff. Homer would finish with three goals, three assists and two ground balls. The fifth goal of the quarter came 45 seconds later (4:14 left) when midfielder Jack Wall (4 assists, ground ball) assisted attacker Colin McAuliffe (goal, 3 assists, 2 ground balls) on an overhead slam. Nearly the entire first quarter was a half-court situation because the Raiders were winning all the face-offs and maintaining possession. Face-off specialist Ryan Mauer won all 14 of his face-offs, scooped 11 ground balls and even scored once later in the game. Matt Iannotta won five of seven face-offs and scooped a ground ball. Brian Kloepfer was 1-for-1 in faceoffs and scooped a ground ball.
The Raiders added five more goals in the second quarter for a 10-1 halftime lead. The overwhelming dominance allowed the Raiders to work in their entire bench. Five more goals were added in the third quarter then the Raiders capped it off with another two in the fourth quarter.
Lucas Caldwell (ground ball)
more photos at goleader.com Ballyhoo Sports scored the Cougars’ only goal. Kevin Goldfeder and Lucas Hoeffler each scooped a pair of ground balls. Tommy McCarthy, Greg Reilly, Mason Mannix and Jared Acinapura each had a ground ball. Goalkeeper Ethan McNab recorded 19 saves.
Raider Vance Slack netted a pair of goals. Caleb McDowell, Ryan Scarpa, Matteo Barcellona and Lorenzo Tittanegro each scored once. Jack Merkel and Louis Kelly (5 ground balls) each had an assist. Jake Lukko scooped four ground balls. Caden Matulonis and Brady DeProspero each scooped two ground balls. Ben Filler, Griffin Hough and Cooper Dupuis each had one ground ball. Goalkeeper Joe Marranca, who was observing most of the game from afar, needed just to make three saves.
On May 4, the Cougars defeated sixth-seeded Governor Livingston, 74, in the first round of the UCT. Ryan Gregersen netted four goals and two assists. McCarthy flicked in a pair of goals. Beckett Nachtman had a goal and three ground balls. Caldwell and Lucas Owens each dished out an assist. McNab made 16 saves.
