Red Bank Catholic hands Howell First Loss

Four straight Red Bank Catholic goals to start the second half proved to be the difference in Howell's first loss of the boys lacrosse season, 7-3.

Following a quiet first half by both sides, the game was decided when the Caseys  extended their 3-1 lead to 7-1.

"That's the way it goes," said Howell head coach Derek Reichenbecher. "We knew they were going to have their runs. It's just a matter of us not getting one going either."

The Rebels' offense only generated three goals.

Other than the four-goal, early second half meltdown, Nick Schwarz and the Rebels' defense played a tough game. Schwarz, the senior goaltender, finished with seven saves on 14 shots.

Howell's comeback bid came up short despite not surrendering a goal after the seventh RBC score midway through the third quarter. On a man-up attempt, senior Ryan Dambach hit his sophomore brother, Alec, with a pass as he scored to cut the deficit to five at the end of the third quarter.

The Rebels struggled picking up groundballs in the high Dorbrook Park grass. On the other side of the ball, the Caseys did not seem to have much of a problem on their home field. The Caseys also took advantage of turnovers the Rebels made as their passing was, at times, sloppy.

Alec Dambach scored his third goal of the game in the fourth period.

Despite numerous man-up opportunities, the Rebels struggled to get quality shots.

"You have to tip your cap to them, they did a great job defensively on us," said Reichenbecher. "They came out and wanted this one and it showed in their intensity throughout the game. At times, we were sitting around offensively."

Alec Dambach's first goal came in the first after following and picking up the rebound of a teammates shot. When the ball hit the back of the net, it tied the score which stayed that way until the end of the first quarter.

It was not until the fourth quarter that  the Rebels started to put quality possessions together, but by then it proved too late.

Howell will be off for five days before returning to action against Christian Brothers Academy on Wednesday at 10 a.m.