The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Hornets clamp down against Brighton
Saline holds Bulldogs scoreless for three quarters, wins 7-2
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
The Saline lacrosse team continued their resurgence from their early-season struggles at home April 30, playing what head coach John Harris called "definitely" their best defensive game of the season against the visiting Brighton Bulldogs.
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That performance, combined with a three-goal burst in the game's opening minutes, sent the Hornets on their way to a 7-2 win, their seventh in nine games after starting the year 0-2.
"We really controlled the pace of play tonight, and that starts with our defense," Harris said. "We helped support each other, slid our feet, and shut down their opportunities. It's the most complete defensive game we've played."
With Ryan O'Neil in goal and strong play from veteran defenders Brad Perino and Brad Crimmins in front of him, the Hornets held Brighton scoreless for the game's first 36 minutes, eventually building their lead to 7-0.
The Saline scoring started just 64 seconds into the game when Rob DeHaan scored an unassisted goal. With 7:20 left in the first quarter, the Hornets doubled their lead when Scott Harris found Jacob Fosdick for a 2-0 lead.
Barely more than a minute later, the lead grew to three when Harris fed DeHaan for the junior's second, giving Saline all the momentum and scoring they would need.
"The guys did a great job of coming out and establishing the kind of game we want to play," Harris said. "I thought we started the game with a high level of intensity."
Saline pushed the lead to 5-0 at halftime, with Harris scoring unassisted with 10:17 left in the second quarter and a long run out of midfield from Scott Merk setting up Matt Dysko for a goal with 8:01 to play.
It was more of the same in third quarter as Fosdick netted his second 90 seconds into the half. With 3:20 left in the period, Jordan Hartman would stretch the lead to 7-0 by diving to deflect a loose ball inside the goalie crease into the Bulldog net.
Just as it looked like the Hornets would cruise to the win, Brighton scored twice in less than a minute to open the fourth. Saline was unable to extend the lead any further, but with the Hornet defense tightening again and the home team continuing to gather in the majority of ground balls — where Saline would finish the game with a 68-30 advantage — Brighton would come no closer.
The win was significant, Harris said, to maintain the Hornets' building momentum.
"We're at the point of the season where we've got our eyes set on the postseason," Harris said. "Every game is important from a consistency and momentum standpoint. It's the teams with a consistent brand of lacrosse that are going to make a run in the playoffs. We're looking to keep getting better each week and build that consistency."
Saline improved to 8-4 with a 16-5 win over Grosse Ile Tuesday night.
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