Kennedy Gaels Bucked By Broncos In Opening Round

SOMERS—The Kennedy Catholic boys lacrosse team needed every last game to qualify for the playoffs. The Gaels (5-12, 4-7) split their last two regular season games before losing in the opening round of the sectional playoffs. After losing 11-1 to Pearl River on Monday the Gaels need Dan McLaughlin's overtime goal to beat Haldane, 5-4, on Wednesday to make the playoffs.

Kennedy's James Wilson uncorks a shot in win over Haldane. SKIP PEARLMAN The win over Haldane set the Gaels up for Saturday's 19-6 opening-round loss to Bronxville. “They're a very good team,” said coach Nick Savastano. “They're probably the best team we've seen all year.”

After keeping it close for most of the first quarter, Bronxville erupted for five goals in the final two minutes to take control of the game.

“With two minutes left I looked at the clock and I was like wow, it's gonna be 1-0 after the first quarter, that's not bad,” said Savastano. “Next thing you know, they go on a five goal run and it's 6-0.”

Above: Tyler Trodden moves ball on offense for Kennedy last week. Right: John Manzo of Kennedy defends last week at Kennedy HS. Below: Kennedy keeper Sean Esposito gets ready to clear ball in win over Haldane. The Broncos led 8-3 at the half, and then came out and scored eight more goals to take a 16-6 lead into the fourth.

“We felt like were hanging in there,” said Savastano. “But it's hard to hold those teams down, we tried to slow the ball down, but they pressure you, it's very difficult.”

Tyler Trodden led the Gaels with three goals and an assist. James Wilson, Dylan Rooney and McLaughlin each scored once. Sean Esposito finished with 19 saves.

The Gaels earned their trip to playoffs with their dramatic over time win against Haldane. The two teams needed overtime after Haldane scored to tie the game with 13 seconds left in regulation.

“It was a phenomenal game,” said Savastano. “Both teams played great, it was a back and forth game.”

After letting the lead the slip away in the final seconds in regulation, the Gaels wasted little time ending the game in overtime.

The Gaels opened the overtime with a face-off win by Kevin Bruen that was scooped up by Trodden. Trodden went down the wing and passed off to Wilson, who worked from the behind the net, and found McLaughlin in the crease for the game winning goal.

“It was nice that we held it together,” said Savastano. “We could have tanked it, but we didn't, and the kids did a nice job.”

It was McLaughlin's first varsity game, and his first goal at the varsity level. Rooney scored a pair of goals and Esposito stopped 12 of the 16 shots he faced.

Photos by Skip Pearlman. “Esposito did a great job,” said Savastano. “He was the player of the game, he made some point blank saves. He did a really nice job.”

Before the win over Haldane put them in the playoffs, the Gaels fell to Pearl River. While they Gaels were able to stay close to Pearl River throughout the first half, the Gaels never got their offense going before the game slipped away in the second half.

“It was all about opportunities,” said Savastano. “We had some great opportunities right in front of the crease and we didn't bury them. That could have made it a much better game. I think once they went up six we kind of packed it in a little bit.”

Trodden scored the Gaels lone goal, and Esposito finished with 11 saves.

In action the previous week the Gaels split a pair of home games. Wilson's goal with 18 seconds left in the game gave the Gaels an 8-7 win over Croton-Harmon on Tuesday, before Thursday's 7-4 loss to Ossining.

Trodden led the Gaels with a goal and an assist, while Wilson, Rooney, and Gary Kiernan all added goals of their own. Esposito finished with 16 saves.

After losing to Croton-Harmon in one of their first games of the year, Wilson, and the Gaels got a bit of revenge.

Despite playing with a three goal lead for most of the fourth quarter, the Gaels needed some late heroics after the Tigers scored three times in the final two minutes to tie the game.

“It was a crazy situation how they came back,” said Savastano. “But right off the face off, Tyler Trodden picked up the ball, and came down on a unsettled situation and he found Wilson, gave him a great feed and Wilson came in front of the cage one on one, and dumped it in.”

Wilson's go-ahead goal left the Tigers with just enough time to launch a shot from midfield as the clock ran out.

Rooney led the Gaels with three goals, while Wilson scored twice and assisted on two others. Trodden finished with two goals and an assist. Once again Esposito made the start in net, he finished with 13 saves.

LACROSSE
KENNEDY 1
Pearl River 11
KENNEDY 5
Haldane 4
KENNEDY 6
Bronxville 19