Baldwin Highlanders Defeat Big Macs 8-7

By Gary W. Beam

An old adage states that opportunity only knocks once, it will not come again.

The lacrosse team learned, first-hand, how incorrect this saying is. An opportunity to clinch a playoff berth in the WPIAL Division 2-Section 1 playoffs slipped through their fingers last night at Canon-Mac Stadium as the Baldwin Highlanders defeated the Big Macs, 8-7 in overtime. In six of the last eight Canon Mac games, one goal has separated the victor from the loser and of those six, four have gone into overtime.

Baldwin got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first two minutes and 10 seconds of the game. But as has been their trademark, the Big Macs battled back and, after trailing 4-3 at the half, tied the game on a goal by Nick Carr in the first minute of the third quarter. It was Carr’s second goal of the game and the feisty freshman was a spark not only in Canon-Mac’s offense, but in his tenacious play defensively as he disrupted many of Baldwin’s clearing attempts.

Carr’s play seemed to inspire his team, and on this Senior Night, senior Matt Maletta picked up the pace, netting the next two goals in a span of 22 seconds. The second goal was Maletta’s 50th of the season and it marked the sixth time this season that Maletta has scored two goals within a minute of each other. More importantly, it forged the Big Macs to a 6-4 lead as the third quarter came to an end.

However, the turning point of the game may well have come early in the final period when, after Baldwin was called for two slashing penalties within 41 seconds of each other, Canon-McMillan failed to convert on either of the man-up opportunities. The tide quickly shifted to Baldwin as the visitors scored less than a minute after killing the second of the two penalties and then proceeded to score the next two goals, giving the Highlanders a 7-6 lead.

But, as it has been all year, the Big Macs clawed back and when freshman Ben Ward netted his 44^th tally of the season, momentum seemed to shift back to the home team. If the goal was not enough to lift expectations, Baldwin was called again for a one-minute slashing penalty at the time of the goal and just 35 seconds later, another one-minute slashing penalty was assessed. Opportunity came knocking, but again the Big Macs failed to convert on the two man advantage and the teams headed in to overtime tied at seven.

Before the spectators could get settled in for the extra period, Baldwin took possession of a hard-fought face-off and scored on its first shot, just 21 seconds into overtime, to send Big Mac players and supporters home disappointed and wondering about the opportunities lost. For the game, Canon-Mac converted on only one of 11 man-up opportunities while Baldwin converted on their sole opportunity.

The team finishes its season next week with games on Wednesday and Thursday against Chartiers Valley and Quaker Valley, respectively. The quest for a playoff berth continues and perhaps another old saying is more appropriate for the Big Macs. An old boss once taught this writer, “When opportunity knocks, a man must get off his chair and answer the door.”

Last night was Senior Night. In recognition of this year’s seniors, meet the next three players in the Senior Spotlight:

#10 Seraphim Livanos

Seraphim lives in and is a goalie and midfielder for the Big Macs. As an honor roll student, Seraphim holds the office of treasurer for student government at CMHS. He played both varsity football and lacrosse. Seraphim plans on attending business school.

#26 Matt Maletta

Matt lives in North Strabane and is a midfielder for the CMHS. Matt has been playing lacrosse for seven years and was named a 2011 Pittsburgh Lacrosse All-Star of the Week. Matt also played football at CMHS. He will continue playing lacrosse as he attends West Virginia University in the fall majoring in business management. His role model is NFL All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

#15 Nick Podlaszewski

Nick lives in North Strabane and is a midfielder for the Big Macs. Nick has been playing lacrosse for six years. Nick plans on pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy degree at Slippery Rock University this fall. He considers Pittsburgh Penguin captain Sidney Crosby as his role model.