Park 9, St. Paul/Two Rivers 6
Park trailed a visiting St. Paul/Two Rivers Ducks team 5-3 at the half, then turned the game completely around after the break to score a 9-6 win May 28 in the first round of Section 3A boys lacrosse play.
“We wanted to make sure that these boys understand what adversity is,” said Park head coach Matt Foote. “They kept battling back. They came out flat, just didn’t have it the first half. In the second half they finally started playing to their potential. Doing the little things. The game is all about doing the little things right. They finally put two and two together that if they did the little things right the good things happen.”
The Wolfpack scored the first six goals of the second half to take command of the game.
“We flipped the switch and everyone started working together as a team, we started moving the ball and put some in the back of the net and came away with a W and we’re playing still,” said Park goalie Gavin Sand. “We flipped the switch and got it going. We realized that this could last of our season and we’re playing for our seniors.
Park and the Ducks were tied at 2-all after the first period, but the visitors outscored the Wolfpack 3-1 in the second quarter.
“I think that we played very well on the defensive side of the ball, besides a couple of moments,” said defender Austin Tokar. “And then our offense was moving too. I think we got a really good halftime speech and all the boys just locked in mentally. “
Sophomore attacker Bradley Johnson led Park with three goals. Sophomore midfielder Sam Reckinger had two goals and an assist. Angelo Cullen, Jacob Czarnota, Evan Foote, Blake Bestler and Sam Franck had one goal each. Matthew Kamande had one assist.
“I think that we played very well on the defensive side of the ball, besides a couple of moments,” said defender Austin Tokar. “And then our offense was moving too. I think we got a really good halftime speech and all the boys just locked in mentally. “
East Ridge 17, Park 2
Top-seeded East Ridge advanced in the Section 3A tournament with a convincing 17-2 win over the visiting Park Wolfpack Thursday in Class 1A Section 3 boys lacrosse quarterfinal matchup at East Ridge.
It was a similar result to the regular season meeting between the two teams, where the Raptors won by 13 (22-9).
East Ridge allowed just 11 Park shots on goal and stopped nine of them. The Raptors led 5-0 after one, 9-1 at the half and 14-2 after three periods.
Angelo Cullen and Zachary DeVaan had the only goals for the Wolfpack.
Park ends the season with a 5-10 overall record.
East Ridge (13-1) advances to the section semifinals and a matchup against St. Thomas Academy.