Wildcats Comeback Falls Short

While it wasn’t the win the Bethel High boys lacrosse team was looking for, there’s still plenty to like about its 8-7 loss to SWC opponent Brookfield High.

The Wildcats (0-2, 0-2) started slow, but came to life in the second half before running out of time. Led by Brian Crosby, the Wildcats were able to cut the Bobcats’ lead from five to one with enough time for one last possession.

“It was very exciting, it was a good game,” coach Keith Marotta said. “We made some mistakes, we adjusted and it was just little mental errors, over aggressiveness.”

Crosby scored three times in the second half to get his team back into the game. His first goal came when he scored on his rebound. He added his second goal on a play that started behind the net, and then pulled his team to within one late in the game after Marotta called a timeout to settle his team down.

“In stressful situations, I try to change the subject for the guys,” Marotta said. “They knew what they had to do, I kind of pulled them in and made them laugh, just try to get their mind off of it and settle their nerves. I think a lot of times you can place a lot of stress on these kids…There I pulled them in and said, ‘guys you have everything you need to do it, I’m confident.’”

Following Marotta’s timeout, the Wildcats ran a simple pick play that got the Brookfield defense scrambling and ended up with Crosby all alone in front. With no defenders around, Crosby faked high and got Brookfield’s goalie to leave his feet before shooting low to make it a one goal game.

“Brian played very well, he stepped up today, he was a leader out there,” Marotta said. “He’s one of the hardest workers we have on our team, and he really did step up today.”

He finished with five goals and an assist, while Troy Deyo scored the Wildcats’ other two goals. Doug Schmid and Mike Mascola each added an assist.

For all the success the Wildcats had offensively in the second half, it’s easy to overlook the turnaround the defense made. Early in the game the Wildcats man-to-man defense allowed the Bobcats to maneuver around the offensive zone without much of a problem, but as the game went on the defense became more aggressive and began to shut down the Bobcats.

“We told the guys to push out a little bit, put on a little pressure,” Marotta said. “They took those opportunities when they could get the stick checks in there and to be a little overly aggressive, they took the opportunities and they obviously came up with the ball, so that helped us out.”

Like the rest of the team, goalkeeper Ryan Campbell got stronger as the game progressed and finished the game with seven saves.

Even with the improved defensive play and the offense’s second half outburst, the Wildcats still finished the game wanting more.

“Overall the guys left it on the field,” Marotta said. “Would I have enjoyed coming out with a victory? Absolutely.”

Bethel’s next game is Thursday at home against Pomperaug at 5 p.m.