Boys Lacrosse: Panthers Defeat Bears

Tuesday’s meeting between the Pleasantville Panthers and Briarcliff Bears was much different than the two squads met on April 7.

The 11-0 boys lacrosse team escaped with a hard-fought 7-3 victory over crosstown rival the last go around, but had an easier time in a 16-2 handling of the 5-6 Bears the second time this season.

Fans, fellow athletes and coaches came together to support the intense rivalry matchup between the two school districts which showed on the field on Tuesday.

“They knew they wanted to get fired up for this game,” Pleasantville Head Coach Bruce Reitenbach said about his players performance. “They played well.”

The Panthers are gearing up for a strong finish to the 2011 season beginning 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Blind Brook, and success in sectional post-season play, while the Bears are focusing on the next practice along with the next opposing competition with Ossining 4:30 p.m. Thursday at home.

The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead toward the end of the first quarter before the Bears' John Haeling scored from Sam Kolbovsky to put points on the board for the home team and cut the deficit 3-1.

Kyle O’Laughlin’s goal from Eric Akalski further stretched the margin 4-1 in the second before the Bear's John Haeling assisted Michael Spitalieri helping the hosts continue their momentum to pull within 4-2 before the visitors ran away to the 16-2 victory.

Senior-ladened Briarcliff was unable to match the Panthers play in all aspects of the game.

“Today was about a lack of execution,” Briarcliff Bears Head Coach Paul Bordonaro said. “[Pleasantville] deserves all the credit. They came at it today.”

Pleasantville has done quite well, though are scheduled to meet a tough Sleepy Hollow squad on May 10 at 4:45 p.m. at home.

Brandon Jampol had eight saves in goal for the Bears. Conor Fraylick tallied five for the Panthers.