Colts Rec Lax Opens Season With Win

The following was written by Cliff Giantonio.

Saturday was the season opener for the Kinnelon Colts sixth grade Boys Recreation Lacrosse team. They played against the Vernon Vikings in Vernon.

Though the weather was cold, drizzling and windy, both teams played well and did not seem affected by the elements.

Overall, the teams were evenly matched. Kinnelon kept the ball on offense for most of the first quarter. With 6:11 left in that quarter, mid-fielder Joey Ballai (11) scored the game's first goal with a close shot on the net.

In the second quarter, the teams played an even amount of time in each other's territory. With 7:40 to go in that quarter, Vernon scored their first goal. They followed that up with another goal at 3:45, moving into the lead at 2-1.

However, with 1:06 left in the first half, attackman Chris O'Keefe (27) scored his first goal of the game with a hard shot from the goalie's left side, tying the game at 2-2. As the half wound down, got one more shot on goal with 0:01 left, but missed just to the right of the goal.

The third quarter again saw the teams evenly matched with both sides getting a number of shots on goal. Though Vernon was shut out for that quarter, O'Keefe got his second goal of the day with just 0:36 left, putting Kinnelon in the lead at 3-2.

The second half saw both teams getting more physical, with more checking and forceful play than earlier in the game. Neither team seemed to slow down or tire.

O'Keefe hit his third goal of the game with 6:09 left in the final quarter. His shot was a hard side-arm throw that bounced at the Vernon goalie's feet just before hitting the net, putting Kinnelon in the lead at 4-2.

Kinnelon put the ball in Vernon's net again a minute later, but the goal was negated by a Kinnelon player being in the crease when it went in. With just 1:10 left in the game, defenseman John Locke was tripped as he raced the ball up the left sideline. The penalty gave the Colts the ball, which they did not relinquish for the rest of the game. The final score was 4-2, with Kinnelon winning their first of the season.

Goalie duties for the game were shared by Will Juhlin and Stephen Jacobus. Both players made a number of critical saves and kept the game close for Kinnelon.

Coaches Mike Ballai, Jim O'Keefe and Glenn Juhlin and head coach Mike Elefonte were all proud of their players after the game.

"The boys responded to every adjustment necessary to stay competitive.  Overall, a good first game effort by the team," coach Elefonte said after the game.

The sixth grade Colts appear to be ready to repeat last year's winning season. With six new players, the roster is well-rounded with skilled and seasoned players. Their next game is scheduled for April 19 in Sparta against the Sparta Spartans.