MIDDLETOWN - Pregame jitters did not stop junior Collin McCarthy from leading the Xavier Falcons boys’ lacrosse team to a 9-6 comeback win over Daniel Hand on Thursday evening in Middletown.
“It feels really good,” said McCarthy, who scored all three goals in the second half. “My teammates really opened up some lanes for me with great passes.”
McCarthy – who was 1st team all-SCC and the SCC tournament MVP a season ago – lead the way for the Falcons with a hat trick (3 goals) where seniors Evan Pesco and Colin O’Donnell, each scored two goals apiece to do the bulk of the scoring for Xavier.
“Hand-Xavier is always a great game,” said Xavier head coach Scott Basile. “It’s fun to coach.”
Hand was able to fight back from an early 3-1 deficit in the first half to take the lead on a pair of goals from senior Owen Gottlick, who led the first half offensive assault for Hand.
The Tigers scored three straight unanswered goals. Gottlick continued the strong first half performance with an assist on the goal by fellow senior, Lucas Brown. Hand would hold onto a two goal lead until the final period.
All time up at 3 after this goal from Hand’s Owen Gottlick. #ctlax @CPTVSports pic.twitter.com/aaxfbQV2nL
— Aaron Johnson (@aronJohnson_) April 21, 2016
Gottlick’s goal to even the game at three a piece
“We were up in the fourth,” said Hand head coach Paul Deon. “Then we lost our composure and it fell apart.”
Behind the strong play of McCarthy and a tough Falcons’ defense, the Tigers were unable to hold the lead late in the contest. O’Donnell’s second goal with five minutes remaining broke a six all tie and clinched a tough win for Xavier. The Falcons tacked on two more goals late to extend the lead to 9-6.
“It’s always a big game,” said McCarthy. “I had some pregame jitters, but there’s no better feeling than playing against your rivals.”
Basile said that being able to be on the sidelines for McCarthy has continued to be an experience and has created some memories.
“He’s a one in a lifetime kid to coach,” he said.
The come-from-behind win for the Falcons makes them 5-0 on the season and drops Hand to 5-2. The Tigers will look to bounce back against Glastonbury next Tuesday on the road. While Xavier continues the journey back to the SCC title as they host Guilford on Saturday. Basile said that his team cannot afford to lose focus even after the big win.
“We’re going to be a little banged up,” he said. “But we got to have a great day of practice tomorrow.”
By: Aaron Johnson, Special Contributor to CPTV Sports
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