Close win just what the Green Gaels needed

May 09, 2008 - 03:18

By Brad Kelly

BOWMANVILLE - It was close, and that was a good thing.

The Clarington Green Gaels got just what they were looking for and probably a little bit more when they hosted the Halton Hills Bulldogs on Thursday night at the Recreation Complex. It was a game of the undefeated, with both teams sporting 4-0 records heading in, with the Green Gaels able to keep their perfect record intact.

But not by much.

Tied 3-3 at the end of the first period and 8-8 after 40 minutes, the Green Gaels managed to pull it out in the third with three goals, resulting in an 11-10 final and a 5-0 record in OLA Jr. B lacrosse play.

The game, that featured six lead changes, was just what coach Jason Crosbie was looking for.

"I have 16 and 17 year old kids that need to learn how to play close games and learn some little things," he said afterwards. "A lot of (Halton's) goals tonight were just little breakdowns that are experience things. They are still in minor. The pace has picked up, people are smarter and people do things a little differently and they are learning my system.

"I was happy with the outcome and the fact they didn't give up."

Tied 9-9 with 14:22 left in the third, the Green Gaels got a pair of goals from Shayne Jackson five minutes apart to give the home side a two goal cushion with 6:35 remaining. Halton Hills pulled to within one with 2:46 left, but couldn't beat Green Gaels netminder Zach Higgins with the equalizer.

For his efforts, Jackson was named Player of the Game for the Green Gaels.

Ryan Serville led the way for the Green Gaels offensively, scoring three times and adding four assists. He leads the lacrosse club in points, and is among the top-10 in the league scoring race.

The game featuring two of the undefeated teams in the East Conference was everything he expected.

"I think that Halton Hills is a good measuring point for us because they are one of the better teams in the East," said Serville, who was awarded a penalty shot in the second period but failed to score. "We knew they were a good team coming in."

Three other Green Gaels also chipped in with a pair of goals each, including Lucas Perri, Mike McCusker and Brendan Fox. McCusker also had a pair of assists, as did Josh Merzbacher, Mitchell Wilde and Higgins.

The 10 goals were the most the Green Gaels have allowed in one game this season, but considering they were going up against three of the top five scorers in the league in Pat Saunders (1st), Nic Grasby (3rd) and Kyle Davis (5th), it wasn't too bad.

"If I had a veteran team, then losing would be unacceptable," said Crosbie. "But with 16 and 17 year old guys the learning curve is steep. To learn how to play in these games, whether you win or lose them, you can build off that."

The Green Gaels were in Huntsville last night (after our deadline). They begin a home-and-home Wednesday in Barrie, hosting the second game between the two teams on Thursday at 8 p.m.

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