Islanders Bounce Back From Tough Loss to Beat East Greenwich

The Islanders' last game was not a pretty one. They were beat up pretty good by Cumberland, 5-1 on their home turf. It was a game that was loaded with controversial calls and ended with the Islanders having to swallow a tough loss at home.

How a team responds to a game like that can show a team's resolve or it can sink them for the year, especially in a game like lacrosse, where the schedule is structured somewhat like football. Every game counts and counts big. The Islanders are also in a very tightly contested division. At the start of the game on Friday, the first through fourth place teams were only separated by a game.

The Islanders got their game against the Avengers from East Greenwich off to a good start, striking first and fast, on a goal from #8, Ryan Traeger.  

Middletown added two more goals in the second period, from #12, Ian Larcom, and #50, Dennis Turano. It gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead with six minutes left in the first half. The Avengers however, did not go quietly into the half, scoring two quick goals to cut the Islander lead to 1.

The half ended with Middletown on top, 3-2.

The second half saw Middletown come out on the offensive and shred the Avenger D.

The Islanders rattled off four goals in the first 12 minutes of the 3rd to take a commanding 7-2 lead.

The third period came to a close with the Islanders in the lead comfortably. East Greenwich seemed somewhat deflated by the offensive swing, but they only cracked, they didn't break.

The Avengers went on a little offensive run of their own in the fourth.  

Before Middletown knew what hit them, East Greenwich scored one, two, three goals. It was now 7-4, but an insurance goal from Middletown's Ned Murphy gave the Islanders a three-goal lead with less than two minutes left.

Dennis Turano, #50 for Middletown who had a hat trick on the night, helped run out the clock for his team. When the final horn sounded, Middletown came away with a huge win over their divisional rival, 8-5.  It put Middletown in sole possession of third place in Division II South. EG falls to fourth.

Middletown's offense was led by the aforementioned Dennis Turano, who had a hat trick on the day. Ian Larcom, Ned Murphy, Ryan Traeger and Field Martin also had a goal each.

East Greenwich was led by #11, Matt Cruise and #2, Kyle Carusotto, who each had two goals.  The Avengers' #7 Lucas Stralka accounted for his team's other goal.

Middletown improves their record in the Division to (5-3), and (6-4) overall. They trail first place South Kingstown by only a half a game. With only five games left in the regular season, games count now more than ever.  The next game for the Islanders is on Tuesday, May 3, when they host Providence Country Day School.  The start time is 6 p.m. on the turf at Gaudet Field off Turner Road.

The Avengers now stand at (4-3) in the Division and (5-4) overall on the season. They only trail the first place SK team by one game. The next game for East Greenwich is even more crucial as the season winds down. They will play next when they host Mount Saint Charles Academy on Tuesday May 2 as well. Start time is 5 p.m. at East Greenwich High.

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