Lions Lacrosse Outlasts Bengals in First Win

As it appeared Barnegat lacrosse was going to complete a comeback, the Lacey Lions managed to stop the bleeding just in time to hold off the Bengals.

After a five-goal lead was slimmed to only one goal with 1:55 to play, the Lions defense stood tall, limited chances and forced a turnover that would seal the game, a 6-5 victory for Lacey.

"It's unbelievable," said Lacey Lions head coach Shane Allen, "such a huge shot of morale. We didn't want the second half to be 5-1 them, but its a win."

As Allen noted, Barnegat nearly came back to tie the game after his Lions held a 5-0 lead in the first half.

"When things started slipping, I challenged the kids," said Allen, "it really brought out some of their character. We showed our youth nearly blowing the lead but the important part is we managed to hold on."

Sophomore goaltender Joe Elefante came up big, making 11 saves for the day, 7 of them coming in the second half Barnegat surge.

By the time the frantic final quarter passed, Lacey had killed off three consecutive Barnegat man-up attempts -- making the one goal difference between a win and a tie.

Barnegat came out of the second half and scored three goals in nearly three minutes, shocking the Lions who bounced back with a goal from Tyler Copeland to make the score 6-3 as the third ended.

Copeland's goal would stand to be the game winner, as the Bengals scored twice, but was unable to knot the game in the fourth.

Following their 10-shot first half, the Lions responded with just three in the second as Barnegat's attack was the story of the second half.

After an even first quarter that saw Lacey hold a 1-0 lead, three quick goals gave the Lions a lead.

Sophomore Brock Torre got the ball rolling for the Lions in the second as he cut to the Barnegat cage to make the score 2-0. Seconds after Tyler Newton scored off a spin move, Sophomore Middie Brandon Boos scored to put Barnegat in a 4-0 hole rather quickly. Newton would score another late in the second quarter.

Newton and Boos each had a pair of goals to lead the Lions.

"Tyler (Newton) is a pretty gifted athlete," said Allen, "He's only in his third year playing and now he's a second year started -- he's very young."

"Brandon (Boos) is only a sophomore but is already a great leader," said Allen, "He brings a great work ethic to this team and does an excellent job taking faceoffs."

Another player who caught the eye of Allen was Brock Torre.

"He plays the game the right way. A lot of dignity, pride, class. He's also undersized so it makes him have good technique." said Allen.

As for Barnegat, Allen shows a great deal of respect towards the Bengals.

"We're in the same boat as them so often, this is our third year with a lacrosse program and I believe their second. You have to give them credit with the way they played today and battled back."

Thursday, April 28, the Lions will be back in action traveling to Jackson Liberty for a 3:45 p.m. game.