Rascally Rams Run Rampant in Regional

Say that as fast as you can 3 times! The Boy's Varsity Lacrosse team ended their post-season hopes last night as they faced their 2nd team of Rams in the Regional Tournament. The perennial state powerhouse Rockford Rams downed the Eagles 14 to 10 in the Regional Semi-Final game at Rockford's Carson-Munger Stadium. The Boys joined the legion of State Lax powerhouses such as Detroit Country Day, GR Catholic Central, Cranbrook, and Orchard Lake St. Marys who have fallen victim to the Rams this season.

The Eagles have lost 2 goaltenders this season and JV goalie Isaac Zull stepped into the cage these last couple of weeks and did Yeoman's work protecting the House, making several great saves last night. The Eagle's defense was the star of the evening as the athletic crew of Long Poles limited the shifty Rams to mostly shots from well outside the cage. Of specific note was Burt VanderKodde locking down the Ram's leading scorer, and limiting his ability to get his hands free, along with Logan Eaton sucking up ground balls and leading the way on the Eagle's clears down to offensive territory. The Eagles struggled at the faceoff X without starting FOGO Ben Toly, but the double D pole combo on the wings of Caleb Morrison and Logan helped the Eagles start winning the draws late in the game.

The Eagles went down early finishing, the 1st quarter down 3 to 0 before they adapted to the Ram's lightning-fast style of play. The fellas settled down in the 2nd keeping pace with Rockford scoring 4 to their 6. After the 3rd quarter, the lead looked insurmountable with Rockford burying 4 more goals to take a commanding 13 to 5 lead. But, as has been true of this group of young men all season, this group of guys from 4 different high schools who only met each other this past March, they came together and lit it up in the 4th quarter, not quitting, but burying 5 goals to the Ram's 1.

Points on the night went to Logan Eaton, and Collin Wildman each with an assist for 1, Brock Grieve and Brady Nitz each with a goal for 1, Blake Grieve Grieve with 2 assists, and Henry Mast with a goal and an assist for 2 points each. Luke Afman had a Hat Trick with 3 goals for 3 points, and Senior All-Conference Middie Jake Eaton had a big end to his high school lacrosse career with 7 points coming from 3 assists and 4 goals!