Tuesday: Canandaigua Moves to 4-0 with win over Geneva

There were only five games played today. Canandaigua broke open a tie with Geneva to win their game at Evans Field, 8-5. Webster Thomas had an exciting 9-8 win over visiting Churchville-Chili. Schroeder beat the Lightning 9-2 and Alex Shoemaker won a shutout for Irondequoit as they defeated West Seneca West 10-0. Down in Section I, Penn Yan beat Lakeland/Panas 10-6.

Canandaigua 8 - Geneva 5

Tue - Apr 2, 2013 - 4:00 PM

Non-league game   at Evans Field 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Tot  Canandaigua      Record: 4-0 2 0 2 4   8   Geneva      Record: 1-1 1 2 1 1   5

The book for Canandaigua: Connor Moore (1a), Ben Northrup (1g), Ben Smith-Wilcox (2g-1a), Eric Munn (4g-1a), Dan LaCrosse (1g-3a), Goaltending: Michael Cuciti 8s/5ga = 62% (48 mins). Click here for SportsFive FULL STATS. The book for Geneva: Drew Feinberg (2a), Matt Miller (2g), Sean Cunningham (3g), Jesse Singleton (1a), Goaltending: Derek Grillone 15s/8ga = 65% (48 mins).

--  During a cold and blustery afternoon game at Evans Field, Canandaigua scored three goals to start the fourth quarter and secured an 8-5 win over Geneva this afternoon. The game was hard-fought by both programs and with a few minor changes the game could have gone either way. The Panthers fought hard to stay in the game and made Canandaigua fight for the victory. The game started to fall apart for Geneva in the fourth quarter where they could not win a face-off or get possession. Their first shot of the final quarter wasn't until 4:44 remaining in the game after Canandaigua had already gained their three goal lead.

The game was penalty heavy and the penalties mattered. Geneva scored all five of their goals during uneven situations (four during man-up and one during man-down). Canandaigua had nine penalties in the game and spent 9.0 minutes in the box. Due to concurrent penalties, Geneva had seven opportunities on man-up and converted on four. Geneva finished with seven penalties. However, the Braves were only 1/6 on man-up attempts. Canandaigua took six shots (2 on cage, 1 goal) during man-up. Conversely, the Panthers took nine shots (7 on cage, 4 goals) during man-up.

Although Geneva's offense had trouble scoring during even play, their defense gave Canandaigua problems throughout the game. Dan Hickey, Nick Andrews, Andrew Ritter and Bobby Sollenne combined for six one-on-one takes for the Panthers. Additionally, they kept pressure on the ball and forced a number of low percentage shots which allowed their goalie, Derek Grillone, to step up and finish with 15 saves (65%). Additionally, Geneva's ride was instrumental in keeping the early game close. Attackman Matt Miller and midfielder Sean Cunningham had three takes during rides in the first quarter alone. Cunningham finished with total of three. The Braves only cleared 57% in the first quarter and only 67% for the entire game. Leading the ground ball count for Geneva was Ritter with six. Cunningham finished with five and Hickey finished with four.

Canandaigua's defense was also impressive. In addition to holding the Panthers scoreless in even play, the Braves defense was just as strong in stripping the ball. Defensemen Joe Eddinger and Nathan Bellis along with midfielder Dan LaCrosse finished with two takes each. Eddinger also led the Braves in ground balls with eight. Midfielder Mitchell Schaefer finished with five ground balls and Connor Moore, Lacrosse and goalie Michael Cuciti finished with four ground balls each. Cuciti finished with eight saves for the Braves (62%).

The Braves finished with 31 shots during the contest. LaCrosse and attackman Brian Feldman accounted for 20 of the shots but only 1 of the goals for the Braves. Attackman Eric Munn finished with five shots, four on cage with all four converting into goals. For Geneva, Cunningham finished with 11 shots (3 goals) and midfielder Eddie Eddington finished with four.

Canandaigua scored the opening goal of the game when Moore drove down the right side of the cage and dumped the ball to Munn on the crease. Three minutes later the Braves added another goal. The play began in their defense with an interception by LaCrosse who grabbed the ball out of the air and cleared it up field. The fast-break continued with four rapid passes culminating with Munn finding Ben Smith-Wilcox open for the goal. As the quarter wound down, the Panthers had a man-up chance with 2:30 remaining. 0:45 later there was another flag and Geneva was two men-up. They scored 10 seconds after play resumed with Jesse Singleton assisting Cunningham. Canandaigua led 2-1 after the first quarter.

The second quarter was all Geneva. The Panthers took nine shots, had three man-up opportunities and added two goals which included one while man down. Canandaigua only managed two shots, which were both saved by Grillone. 0:38 into the quarter, the Panthers scored with Drew Feinberg assisting Matt Miller. Miller scored with an outside shot from the top of the man-up set. The second goal of the quarter was scored with 3:04 remaining. Hickey took the ball during a Braves man-up play and cleared it up the field. Cunningham took the ball and dodged past most of the Canandaigua squad and finished into the back of the net. Geneva took the lead 3-2 going into halftime.

The third quarter was evenly matched. Canandaigua scored first to tie the game with their lone man-up goal of the contest. Smith-Wilcox passed the ball from the left-side GLE to the left flat where LaCrosse was waiting. LaCrosse (1g-3a) then finished into the back of the net. Three minutes later Geneva took back the lead for the final time. Miller scored his second goal with an assist from Feinberg. Canandaigua's Munn (4-1a) added his second goal with an unassisted shot from the left side. The third quarter ended with the game tied 4-4.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Braves. They controlled all six face-offs and didn't give the Panthers any shots at the cage until 4:44 remaining in the contest. With 10:08 remaining Smith-Wilcox (2g-1a) scored his second goal. LaCrosse drove along the goal line and fed him on the crease for the go ahead goal. LaCrosse assisted the first three goals for the Braves in the fourth quarter. The next goal was scored by Ben Northrup with an outside bounce shot. Two minutes later LaCrosse got his third assist with a feed from behind the cage to Munn. Cunningham scored the lone Panther goal during an extra-man attempt. Hickey, who was playing man-up with his long stick, took a shot that was saved by Cuciti. The loose ball was picked up by Cunningham, who came around the side of the cage and scored the final goal for Geneva. The Braves began their stall with approximately four minutes remaining. However, with 1:49 remaining, after a flag on the play, Munn scored his fourth goal unassisted with a drive from the left flat.

Overall, the contest was evenly matched and a great game of lacrosse. With the win, the Braves move to 4-0. They will face their perennial competition Penn Yan on Friday with hopes of keeping their perfect season alive. The Panthers (now 1-1) will face Wayne on Thursday.