Garden City Boys Lacrosse Falls in OT

CICERO, N.Y. – Garden City's magical season came to disappointing conclusion as Jamesville-DeWitt defended its state Class B boys lacrosse title by edging the Trojans, 8-7, in overtime Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Jamesville-DeWitt sophomore Jordan Evans took a great midfield pass from senior Matt Kopp and rifled the shot past Garden City goalie Dan Marino for the game-winning goal – his second of the game – with 3 seconds remaining in overtime.

It gave Jamesville-Dewitt (22-0) its fourth state championship and third title in the last five seasons. It also was the second consecutive state title over Garden City.

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The Trojans (19-3) found themselves starting the game giving up the first two goals for the third straight contest. Jamesville-Dewitt goals by Evans and Mclaren Brady in the first 3:47 gave the Red Rams control early.

The Trojans would battle back to tie things at 2 with 7 seconds remaining in the first quarter on unassisted goals by senior Brian Coleman and junior Patric Berkery.

However, after a illegal procedure call by Garden City senior Rob Savage on the ensuing faceoff, senior Tim Edwards (two goals, two assists) raced to the cage and scored the go-aheadgoal with 0.6 seconds remaining to give Jamesville-Dewitt a 3-2 edge after one quarter.

Garden City trailed 6-4 at the half despite shots (17-to-17), shots on goal (8-8), ground balls (10-10), and clears (nine for each team) being dead even.

The Trojans dominated the second half and overtime, controlling the ball for 19:38 while holding the Red Rams to only eight shots in the last 28 minutes. Yet the Trojans never took the lead.

“Keeping the game tied at 7 was huge with a couple of big saves [by senior goalie Dan DeStefano] and a couple of good checks.” Jamesville-DeWitt Coach Jamie Archer said.

Archer also attributed the Trojans' patience, especially in the final moments of the game, for not giving them more scoring opportunities.

“[Garden City] kind of put themselves in that situation because they were waiting for the last shot,” said Archer.

Garden City's offense was led by junior Patric Berkery's three goals on 15 shots and Johns Hopkins-bound senior Tom Gordon, who tallied two goals.

The Trojans' Ivy League defense had another great second half, holding Jamesville-Dewitt to no goals in a span of 19:07 while causing seven turnovers.

Goals – GC: Berkery 3, Gordon 2, Dwyer 1, Coleman 1; JD: Edwards 2, Evans 2, Burns 2, Edwards 1, Brady 1. Saves – GC: Marino 5; JD: DiStefano 8.