Clarkstown North Boy's Lacrosse Suffers Tough Loss to Suffern

The Rams had a tough defeat on Friday when they played top-ranked Suffern High School lacrosse. 

Both boys teams came out and played hard, yet Suffern won the home game, 13-1.  Although the Rams played a tough match right through to the end, Suffern outmatched them on both the offensive and defensive ends. 

With a record of 1-8 going into the match, Clarkstown North knew this was going to be a struggle  in facing the 7-2 Suffern.  As Coach Fitzgerald put it, "The guys are a bit bummed, but Suffern is the class act of Rockland."

The first period began with Suffern scoring the first two of its 13 goals.  They went on the attack again, passed around the perimeter, penetrated and were denied by goalie David Toporek.  Getting the ball back, Suffern attacked again, penetrated, shot, and again Toporek made the save. 

Clarkstown then went on the offensive. After some good movement and a pass into #11 Damiani, Suffern defense managed a strong check and got possession.  They immediately transitioned to offense, ran it down the field, and scored.  Suffern ended up with possession after the face-off, yet Clarkstown's tough defense brought them to the end of the period without another goal.

Clarkstown came out hard defensively in the second period, yet they were unable to hold onto the ball on offense.  They continued to play good defense, yet Suffern played better offense.  As Suffern continued to control the ball with smothering defense and relentless offense, the score continued to mount. 

After the sixth goal, this aggressive defense and offense began to wear on Clarkstown North, giving Suffern open opportunities.  After a mid-field scramble for the ball, Suffern came up with the ball yet lost it to Clarkstown North.  The Rams went on the attack, yet they soon lost it due to the tight defense of Suffern.  Suffern's quick transition to offense left Clarkstown's defenders outnumbered.  Running it back, they passed into an open player right next to the goal who shot and scored the seventh unanswered goal.  The score continued to mount, leaving Clarkstown trailing by eleven at the half.

The Rams buckled down defensively after the half, letting up only two more goals.  Unfortunately, they could not get it going on the offensive end.  After the initial face-off, Suffern got the ball, lost it to Clarkstown, yet took it back again, ran it down and scored.  After another back and forth, it looked to be another Suffern goal.  Suffern got the ball and shot within a few feet of the goal, yet Clarkstown's goalie Toporek had another brilliant save.  Unfortunately for the Rams, within minutes Suffern attacked again and scored.  After tough defense on both sides, the third period ended 13-0.

Clarkstown rallied to start the final period, stealing the ball.  Attacking, they got the ball to #14 Vincent Barbetto, who penetrated and scored.  The game was brought to a close with tough defense on both ends.  Suffern still remained in control of the ball for the majority of the period, yet Clarkstown North's smothering defense coupled with a series of brilliant saves by Toporek kept the Rams with the only goal of the period.

Though the Rams had a tough defeat, they remained aggressive and determined through to the end.  Despite the large scoring discrepancy, they never gave up.

As a young team against a top team, they knew they were in for a tough fight.  Highlights for the game included Vincent Barbetto's goal, as well as David Toporek's total of 16 saves.  Despite the loss, Coach Fitzgerald was optimistic: "They're a good group of kids who come to play.  We ran with them to the end and that's all you can ask for." 

Clarkstown North plays Harrison in a non-league match on Tuesday at home.