Fox Lane Lacrosse: defense stifles Valhalla

Ryan Hardie races down the field in Fox Lane's win over Valhalla. JIM MACLEAN PHOTO

By JIM MACLEAN 

Coming out at halftime both teams knew it was a pivotal time where the momentum could change with one big play as the Fox Lane boys varsity lacrosse team hosted Valhalla on April 9.

The Foxes had built a 3-0 lead in the first half, but Valhalla came out strong hoping to get that first goal to turn the game around. Fox Lane goalie Luke Valenti was determined to not let that happen.

Valenti made four big saves early in the third as the Foxes withstood the pressure from the Vikings, and then Fox Lane put it away with a goal at the other end from Tyler Davidson to make it 4-0. Valhalla had another chance to score with possession for the final two minutes of the third, but Valenti came up with three more saves including one at point blank range in front of the net. The Vikings finally scored with five minutes left in the game to break up the shut out bid, but it was a stellar defensive effort by Valenti and the Foxes to wrap up the 4-1 victory for Fox Lane’s first win of the year.

“One of our guys said ‘shut out’ and I think that jinxed it,” admitted Valenti. “That third quarter, we just had to stay patient, confident in the clear and trust our defenders. We really wanted this win, we’ve played some tough teams, but we’re a gritty team and we were able to get the win today.”

Fox lane took control in the first half as Drew Nathan scored to open the scoring and give the Foxes the lead. Ryan Hardie then scored, and Justin Cohen made it 3-0 for the Foxes as the defense shut out the Vikings in the first half.

In the third quarter after Valenti and the defense stood tall, Fox Lane grabbed the momentum for good as Leo Crisostomo came up with a ground ball in the Fox Lane end and carried across midfield toward the Valhalla goal, and he then made a perfect pass to Tyler Davidson who finished it off for the goal with 3:32 left in the quarter.

The defense did the rest as Valenti and the long poles led by senior captain Will Broghammer closed out the victory.

“We really wanted it and it feels great to get in the win column,” said Broghammer. “Luke is so great, he saves literally everything. We were in our zone defense forcing them to take outside shots because we know Luke will save that every time. We had to do whatever it takes to get the win.”

It was the first win of the season for the Foxes after four tough losses against quality opponents. The Foxes had come close, losing by only one goal to Tappan Zee and two goals to North Rockland, but they needed to close out that first victory to gain some momentum heading into the second half of the season.

“We needed that, we felt we were almost there and finally we got over the hump,” explained Fox Lane coach Charlie Rice. “We dominated ground balls and that made the difference. We had the majority of possession because we played tough off the ground. Luke came up with some hugs stops in goal, and on the clear having him directing everything has been a huge help for us back there. Will Brog’s has been all over the place, clearing the ball and playing a bunch of offense. Leo Crisostomo is a short stick D-middie and doesn’t get much credit, but he just grinds it out every day and he does his job really well and getting that assist really fired up our guys.”

Fox Lane will try to keep it going this week as the Foxes were set to host Wappingers on Wednesday, April 15, and the Foxes then host rival Horace Greeley on Monday, April 20.