By Paul Frommelt
Prince William Content Editor
Battlefield senior Chris Lutz remembers his team’s 16-5 loss at the hand of Forest Park a year ago. The 11-point loss was the Bobcat boys lacrosse team’s worst during their 9-5 campaign in 2008.
“They kicked our butts,” he said.
That memory, along with many like it during his four-year career with the young Battlefield program, helped make Lutz’s game-winning goal in double-overtime against the Bruins just a little bit sweeter.
“He was there four years ago and three years ago when we were getting our butts kicked all over the field,” said Battlefield head coach Kevin Marsh of Lutz after the Bobcats’ 7-6 victory on Monday night. “To see a guy like that get the game-winning goal in that situation is fantastic.”
Last year’s loss was not just in Lutz’s mind before and after the game.
“They tore us up on their own field,” said Britt Hoover, who scored a team-high three goals with an assist. “It was good to come back here and get that win on our own turf.”
Revenge could have been the reason that the Bobcats game out firing on Monday night, scoring two goals in the contest’s first two minutes and jumping out to a 3-0 lead at halftime. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Bobcats had a seemingly comfortable 4-1 lead. That’s when things started to get interesting.
Led by senior Corey Ferguson and junior John Kolar — each with two goal apiece in the fourth — the Bruins scored five goals in as many minutes to take their first lead of the game at 6-5.
“Lacrosse is a game of momentum and we told our guys that we have to
keep on playing like it’s a 0-0 game, cause teams are going to go on a
run and Forest Park certainly went on a run,” said Marsh. “They ran at us, [but] even through all that, we still managed to hold on and tie the game back up. “
Hoover scored with just over three minutes remaining tied the game back up a 6-6. A scoreless final three minutes sent it into overtime. In the first four-minute overtime period, the Bobcats methodically circled around the Bruins’ net. While Battlefield was unable to get any clean looks before first overtime period ended, holding onto the ball went a long way to cooling the suddenly hot Bruins.
“That was a huge help for us. We limited their opportunities to score in overtime and we had the ball,” said Marsh. “Eventually we got one in.”
With just under two minutes remaining in the second overtime period, Lutz took a pass from Emery Bryan and drove to his left. From about ten yards out, with a Forest Park defender on his hip, Lutz fired a shot that found the top right corner of the net.
“It’s great,” said Lutz. “It was nice to get back at them.”
The victory not only settled a year-long score with the Bruins, but helped gauge the Bobcats’ improvement over the last 12 months.
“That marks how far we have come and what we are doing this year,” said Marsh. “It is good redemption for us.”
The win improves Battlefield’s record to a perfect 2-0 on the season. Both victories by one goal.
“I’m glad that we are winning,” Marsh told his team after the game. “I’m excited, but let’s not do this again.”
Check back later today for complete video highlights from the game.
Email: pfrommelt@digitalsports.com
|
Teams |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
OT |
2OT |
Final |
|
Battlefield |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
|
Forest Park |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
Scoring Summary: Battlefield 7, Forest Park 6 (2OT)
1st Quarter:
Battlefield — Andrew Felt (Hoover), 1:15 (1-0)
Battlefield — Britt Hoover (Mullins), 1:42 (2-0)
Battlefield — Emery Bryan (Mullins), 7:49 (3-0)
3rd Quarter:
Battlefield — Emery Bryan (Lutz), 0:10 (4-0)
Forest Park — Corey Ferguson, 3:16 (4-1)
4th Quarter:
Forest Park — John Kolar, 0:59 (5-2)
Forest Park — Tracy Armstrong, 1:09 (5-3)
Battlefield — Britt Hoover (Lutz), 1:39 (5-1)
Forest Park — Corey Ferguson (Karsten), 2:20 (5-4)
Forest Park — John Kolar (Padgett), 5:18 (5-5)
Forest Park — Corey Ferguson, 7:32 (5-6)
Battlefield — Britt Hoover (Grandy), 9:05 (6-6)
2OT:
Battlefield — Chris Lutz, 2:04 (7-6)
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