Navy Lacrosse (NAVYLAX)

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04/11/2009

Navy Wins the N* Decisively - 8-4 !!

It was a rainy, cold Baltimore day at M&T Bank Stadium. Glen Miles '86 said it reminded him of Korea (in that affectionate way that Marines talk about places like Okinawa, 29 Palms, Quantico and other garden spots).

All I know is that the thermometer read 50F - but it was lying. It felt like 40F.

Fresh off a great Army-Navy Alumni game and after party last night, the alumni and parents were red-hot in the parking lot for the pre-game tailgater - and it seemed to rub off on the team. Navy came out shooting - to score.

The National Anthem was sung by the Golden Anchors - and it was a truly inspiring setting as the Army team lined the eastern end of the sideline and the Navy team lined the western end - with the Color Guard at midfield.

The 20,000 fans in attendance were heavily partisan and very pro-military. Army - Navy - it didn't matter. They love their team, but they love country more - and they appreciate the commitment of the 109 players on that field today.

The first face-off went off on time, and it set the tone for every face-off for the day.

In box lacrosse, we used to call a face-off - a draw.

Using a different form of the word, it seemed that every face-off today was a draw. If one player won the ball cleanly, the wings turned the play into a 50/50.

The rest of the balls, nobody won and it ended up as a battle of the ground ball specialists. Matt Bitter '09, Jaren Woeppel '10 and Zack Schroeder '10 gave Navy the advantage in many situations.

Army won first face-off - after a protracted ground ball battle.

Army did not get off a shot. The Navy defense, anchored by last week's NCAA Player of the Week - goalie Tommy Phelan '09, and Senior Class Award Candidate, Andy Tormey '09, Tommy Mansfield '11 and Matt Vernam '12, was stretching out and hawking the Army ball handlers all over the field. It would be a long day for Army.

13:02 The officials must have decided in the locker room that they were going to be a factor in today's game. I normally assume that the officials are closer and can see the play much better than I can from the stands. However, there were a number of plays today that defied observation. I hope they have time to review the film. (I know they will not.) Anyway, the officials called a holding penalty on Navy during the clear.

Fortunately for Navy, the Army EMO unit was not interested in challenging Navy's vaunted man-down unit. At the 12:46 mark, Army threw the ball away without getting off a shot.

Unfortunately, the Navy clear was broken up at the 12:15 mark - keeping the ball in our defensive end.

At 11:40 Navy was called for slash. Army was going to have their chances today.

At 11:10 Army scored for the first and last lead of the game (much like last week's Maryland game).

Army 1-0

Frankie Coppola '10 won the face-off - with Matt Bitter '09 winning the groundball.

Navy held possession with Andy Warner '11, Bruce Nechanicky '09 and Brendan Connors '10 passing it around the horn on attack.

Patrick Moran '10, Joe Lennon '10 and Nikk Davis '12 made up the opening midfield on offense.

At 10:06, Navy threw the ball away - not sure if it was the wet weather, the cold, or nerves, but there would be more. Although, on this day, it was Army more than Navy throwing the ball away.

Taylor Cook '12 and Joe McAuliffe '10 came in to ride the Army clear. The hustle was evident on every play. Bruce Nechanicky "09 rode harder than anybody!!

With 9:20 to go in the first quarter, Army took their second shot of the game (Navy did not have a shot at this point) and Tommy Phelan '09 made the first of his 16 saves (that's 48 in three games).

Team Captain Andy Tormey '09 picked up the rebound and cleared it up the right side - getting slashed by Army in the process. Andy passed the ball to Geoff Leone '09 who was breaking toward Andy near the defensive restraining box. Geoff cleared the ball into the offensive zone, deftly dodging through a handful of Army checks and stayed in the play.

The ball circled around the left side of the crease and made it behind to Brendan Connors '10.

At 8:34 Brendan found Geoff Leone '09 cutting down to the right side of the crease for a quick stick goal. One shot - one goal - great start. ... and there was still a personal foul to enforce.

Score Tied.

Frankie Coppola '10 won the next face-off with Jaren Woeppel '10 scooping the ground ball. Navy wing play was intense today.

Coach Meade immediately called a time-out at 8:24 to get the EMO unit on the field.

The Army man-down unit played intense on the top-side middies, stretching the defense and creating additional passing lanes for the Navy EMO.

At 7:56, Joe Lennon '10 passed underneath the Army top-side defenders to wing-man, Evan Sullivan '10, who scored his first goal in the past few games. It was a great shot, and the run was on.

Navy 2-1

On the face-off, Navy was whistled for a procedure call - giving Army the ball with a 'mini fast break' while the Frankie Coppola '10 ran off the field.

The Army long-stick brought the ball down the right side, then looked to the far-side crease for a quick pass.

Tommy Phelan '09 alertly stepped in front of the pass, then cleared it over the top to a streaking Bobby Lennon '09.

Bobby received the ball about 15 yards shy of midfield and outdistanced everyone on the run to the goal.

Bobby Lennon '10 drove straight to the goal and froze the entire defense. Bobby scored unassisted at 7:40 remaining.

Navy 3-1

That was 3 goals in the last 54 seconds.

Frankie Coppola '10 won the face-off - scooping the ground ball himself.

Navy worked in a midfield of Shane Durkin '09, Michael Beggins '09 (#17 - btw, Army did not dress a #17 today - bad luck for Army), and Brian Striffler '11.

As Navy was working the ball around, at 6:10, Army intercepted a Navy pass and cleared the ball into their offensive end.

As Army was working the ball around, at the 5:12 mark Navy's Tommy Mansfield '11 intercepted the ball, but during the scramble in front of the goal, Navy was whistled for an illegal offensive screen.

Soon thereafter, at 3:57, Bobby Lennon '09 stripped the ball from a driving Army midfielder.

Matt Vernam '12 picked up the loose ball and cleared it to Bobby Lennon '09.

Bobby pushed the ball into the offensive end, and soon Andy Warner '11 found Brendan Connors '10 who scored the first of his three goals on the day.

We had played a little over 11 minutes. Four Navy shooters - four Navy shots - four Navy goals. That's a great start.

Navy 4-1

Army won the ensuing face-off.

Army drove down the right side and shot way wide of the cage with no angle - Navy ball.

Tommy Phelan '09 cleared the ball to Bobby Lennon '09 who passed to a streaking Jaren Woeppel '10 who shot over the goal. Navy was looking very good in transition.

After the inbounds play, Army made a save and cleared the ball.

At 3:06, Army called their first timeout.

Army came out moving the ball behind, so they could dodge into the defense.

At 1:25, Army shot and Tommy Phelan '09 kept the play alive with another fine save. About 10 seconds later, Navy scooped a loose ball and began to clear it.

However, at the 0:40 mark, Navy threw the ball away on the clear.

At 0:27, Army returned the favor, by throwing it out of bounds.

At 0:10, Army intercepted a Navy pass - then with 3 seconds left Army fired a 5 yard shot - Tommy Phelan '09 saved it. Tommy's on fire today.

End of 1st qtr: Navy 4-1

Frankie Coppola '10 won the face-off. With the ball down in the offensive end, Matt Bitter '09 was pushed from behind (no call) - so Zack Schroeder '10 picked up the ground ball and took it in and shot. (This was the first Navy shot of the day that did not score.)

It hit the pipe and went out of bounds.

Navy was flagged for an illegal body check at the 13:27 mark.

Army did not realize it, but they had already scored their only man-up goal of the day. Navy had only given up 4 EMO goals so far this year. Army went 1 out of 4 on the day. On this occasion, Army did not even get off a shot.

Tommy Phelan '09 picked up the loose ball. Geoff Leone '09 made the clear.

By the 12:35 mark, Navy had the ball on offense.

At 12:02, Ryan O'Leary '12 came around the left side and shot.

The Army goalie seemed to do well on these types of plays. We scored on plays in transition. The Army goalie saved this shot - and started the Army clear under a heavy Navy ride.

After clearing the ball, Army called a time out with 11:30 left.

At the 10:12 mark, Andy Tormey '09 stripped the ball and Tommy Mansfield '11 picked up the ground ball, and started the clear.

Brendan Connors '10 forced the ball inside to keep up Navy's fast break philosophy, but this time it created a loose ball.

Army scooped the ball and cleared the ball.

Army worked the ball and got it into an attackman right on the crease on Tommy Phelan's right hand side.

At 8:15, Tommy Phelan '09 made a great save one-on-one from point blank range.

Navy came up with the loose ball and cleared it.

Pat Moran '10 got off two shots, both missing their mark.

On the second shot, Army recovered the ball and cleared it at the 5:25 mark.

About a minute later, Army worked the ball to the left hand side and shot.

At the 4:09 mark, Tommy Phelan '09 made a another fine save.

The quick clear by Andy Tormey '09 and Matt Vernam '12 put the ball on offense very quickly.

Andy Warner '11 shot low to high, and Army was awarded the ball out of bounds.

At 3:41, Tommy Phelan '09 made another save.

The ball became loose in front of the Navy goal - Army blatantly pushed Tommy Mansfield '11 - no call - Army retained possession.

Army pushed the ball in transition, so that Tommy Phelan '09 made another save with 2:45 left.

However, the rebound was alertly picked up by Army and they scored with 2:35 left i the first half.

Navy 4-2

Army won the next face-off. A momentum shift was going Army's way.

With 1:00 remaining, Tommy Mansfield '11 absorbed a shot from up high - scooped the ground ball - and cleared it to Matt Bitter '09 who passed to Brendan Connors '10.

Once on offense, at the 0:44 mark, Navy called a timeout.

0:25 - Joe Lennon '10 shot the ball wide, but Army ran the ball out.

Army cleared the length of the field and shot with 6 seconds left. Navy had given up 4 goals early in the season with the last 20 seconds, but they have reversed that trend in the last 3 games.

Today was not Army's day.

Halftime: Navy 4-2

Frankie Coppola '10 won the first face-off of the 3rd quarter, with Jaren Woeppel '10 getting the ground ball. Jaren threw it into the defense for a clear.

14:40 Navy threw the ball away on the clear.

At 13:50, Army took a shot, but the shooter was in the crease.

Matt Vernam '12 cleared the ball to Marty Gallagher '11.

After getting the offense on the field, Joe Lennon '10 drove right handed across the top and shot high to low for an unassisted goal at 13:12 in the 3rd quarter.

Navy 5-2

Frankie Coppola '10 won the face-off - with Matt Bitter '09 getting the ground ball.

Once we had the ball in the box, a procedure call - sent the ball back to Army.

Army cleared the ball, then Tommy Phelan '09 intercepted an Army pass.

After some exchanges, Army wound up offsides at the 11:59 mark.

Once the ball came all the way around, Joe Lennon '10 took a shot at the 11:35 mark.

An Army save led to a clear at 11:22.

At 11:05, Navy was flagged for a push - putting Army on EMO again.

At 10:38, Tommy Phelan '09 made a save, but Army ran out the ball.

The penalty was released and Navy was back to 6 on 6.

About 20 seconds later at 9:53, Army scored.

Navy 5-3 - we were still in a ball game.

Army won the next face-off - they had momentum.

At 9:35, Army got off another shot.

A minute later, at 8:20, Army was signaled for a stall.

Army took a quick shot, with Tommy Phelan '09 making a save at 8:15.

Navy quickly cleared the ball, with Brian Striffler '11, Michael Beggins '09 and Shane Durkin '09 controlling the ball on offense.

After a Navy shot, Army cleared the ball.

Army quickly worked the ball to the side, and Tommy Phelan '09 made a save at the 6:31 mark.

Navy cleared the ball, but the ball came loose in front of the Army goal.

At the 6:00 mark, Army was awarded the ball out of bounds.

Army cleared the ball and moved it around the perimeter. At 4:40, Tommy Phelan '09 made a nice save - and scooped a tough ground ball.

Navy was awarded the ball out of bounds.

Navy cleared the ball and at the 3:11 mark, Joe Lennon '10 took a shot.

Army gained possession and took a shot - with Tommy Phelan '09 making a save at the 2:50 mark.

Navy cleared the ball and worked it behind.

At the 2:00 mark, Ryan O'Leary '12 took a shot - the Army goalie made a save.

Army cleared the ball, then shot way over the cage.

At 1:53, Navy called a time-out.

Coming out in heavy pressure, Navy picked up a loose ball and cleared it into the offensive zone.

Joe Lennon '10 kept the ball near the top of the box for about 30 seconds. Then Pat Moran '10 and Nikk Davis '12 began working the ball around the box.

Once the ball went behind, Brendan Connors '10 worked around the left side and found Pat Moran '10 for a swift shot with only 4 seconds left in the third quarter.

For the third time in three games, Navy scored within the last 20 seconds of a period.

Navy 6-3

Frankie Coppola '10 won the face-off - Marty Gallagher scooped the ground ball.

End of 3rd qtr - Navy 6-3

Navy won the face-off because Army stepped on Frankie's stick.

At 13:03, Navy threw it through to midfield - Army ball.

About 10 seconds later, at 12:50, Army threw the ball out of bounds.

Navy cleared the ball with Michael Beggins '09, Shane Durkin '09 and Brian Striffler '09 running the offense. At 11:29, Michael Beggins '09 took a shot, recovered by Brian Striffler '11, who passed to Brendan Connors '10. Brendan scored at 11:16.

Navy 7-3

Army won the ensuing face-off.

At 10:54, Army threw the ball out of bounds - they were pressing.

9:44 Navy made a bad pass - Navy lost the ball - Army scooped it up and cleared it upfield.

Of course, Army was desperate by this time and began making bad passes of their own. At 9:35, Army threw the ball out of bounds.

Navy cleared the ball, but at the 8:45 mark, we dropped a pass.

After a scramble in the middle of the field - Army scooped the ball and started their fast break.

8:34 Army scored.

Navy 7-4

Army won the face-off, but they had trouble clearing the ball. There was a resultant loose ball that was to picked up by Andy Tormey '09.

7:54 Army was off-sides.

Our EMO pressed the Army defense. Joe Lennon '10 passed under the defense to Evan Sullivan '10 - another shot - but this time the shot didn't score.

At 6:45, Navy took another shot that was wide. The ball rebounded out of bounds.

Army was awarded the ball.

At the 6:30 mark, Zack Schroeder '10 broke up the clear - scooped the ball and cleared it.

At 5:03, Brendan Connors '10 came around and shot - scored - finishing a hat trick.

Navy 8-4

Army won the face-off - but Navy immediately contested ball before Army could get it in the box. During the ground ball, Army pushed - Navy ball.

At 4:15, Navy threw the ball out of bounds.

2:45 Army shot.

2:10 Army shot.

1:30 Navy ball. All we had to do was clear it into the offensive zone. That lasted 20 seconds.

1:08 Army ball

With under a minute to go, Navy stole the ball and cleared it behind. Andy Warner '11 was carrying.

An Army defender tackles Andy and bounces off. Andy starts to fall and tries to get rid of the ball - Army goalie crushes Andy in the head. Minor scuffle breaks out - officials get it under control before benches clear.

0:31 Army had 2 penalties - Goalie unsportsmanlike conduct 2 minutes + illegal body check.

Navy ran out the clock. Bruce Nechanicky '09 had ball at the end.

Navy 8-4

Final

Great win - Navy is 9-3 and going to PL tournament.

Next week at Hopkins - probably 1 pm start.

Go Navy !!

Buddy Garland '84