Colts Beat Canon-Mac in Crucial LAX Match

By Gary W. Beam

The lacrosse team hosted the  Thursday night at Canon-Mac Stadium in a very big Division 2-Section 1 game.

The Colts came into the game with a half-game lead over the Big Macs, with 5-2 and 4-2 records, respectively. The winner would clinch a second place finish in the division and assure themselves a home game in the upcoming playoffs. The stage was set and even Comcast was present to record the game for future broadcast next week on its On Demand channel.

But what could have been a night to remember became a night to forget as the Big Macs squandered a 7-1 advantage and eventually succumbed to the Colts' speed and tenacity, losing 14-9.

After the Colts struck first with a goal four minutes in to the opening quarter, Canon-Mac ran off seven consecutive goals, including three by Matt Maletta and two each by Andrew Hendal and Ben Ward, to build up a 7-1 lead. The Colts appeared to be staggered by the Big Mac onslaught and with Hendal’s second goal with only 51 seconds remaining in the half, it seemed that the knock-out punch may have been delivered. But with only six seconds left in the half, the Colts scored and the Big Macs settled for a five-goal lead at the half.

The late goal ignited Chartiers Valley and they came out with a vengeance, scoring 43 seconds into the second half and Chartiers Valley onslaught began. They scored again just 20 seconds later and coupled with six Canon-Mac penalties proceeded to score seven more goals before the third quarter would come to a close. The 10 unanswered goals propelled the Colts to an 11-7 lead from which they never looked back and went on to a very important victory.

The win clinches second place for Chartiers Valley and leaves the Big Macs in a must-win position. Last night’s loss coupled with Seton LaSalle’s win over Baldwin forced the Big Macs to beat Quaker Valley Thursday night in order to make the playoffs. What once looked like a dream season for the 2012 Big Mac lacrosse team with their 13 victories has come down to one, winner-takes-it all game.