Coast Guard Academy Lacrosse Gets Victory Over Briarcliffe, 17-7

Coast Guard Academy Lacrosse Gets Victory Over Briarcliffe, 17-7

New London, Conn. – The No. 7 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse team received goals from seven different players as they posted a convincing 17-7 win over No. 17 Briarcliffe College yesterday at a packed Cadet Memorial Stadium overlooking the Thames Rives.

The Bears have had this one circled on their schedule for good reason and former players, coaches and supporters from across the Service came out of the wood work this past week to offer support and inspiration for a Bears victory. You see – Coast Guard and Briarcliffe are very familiar with each other. They’ve met seven times over the last four seasons – including the last two conference championship games – and the Bulldogs have won every time. Last year was particularly painful. Coast Guard lost in the regular season 13-12 when Briarcliffe struck with less than 10 seconds to play. In the PCLL title game, the Bears rallied from a five-goal deficit to send the contest into overtime, only to see the Briarcliffe score right off the faceoff on a shot that was deflected twice before ending up in the cage. However, yesterday’s outcome was different and with the win, the Blue and Orange advance to 8-1, 3-0 in the PCLL South.

Coast Guard was led offensively by Cadet 2/c Stu Carley (Houston, Texas/James E. Taylor) and 2/c E. J. Schmid (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville) who each registered seven points on 6g, 1a and 3g, 4a respectively. Schmid also led the Bears in ground balls with six. Cadet 1/c Austin English (Kent Island, Md./Kent Island) and 3/c Patrick Dreiss (Wantagh, NY/ Holy Trinity) chipped in with five (3g,2a) and three (2g,1a) points respectively.

Coast Guard Academy Lacrosse Gets Victory Over Briarcliffe, 17-7

Coast Guard held their own at the faceoff x going 10 for 26 in a phase of the game Briarcliffe typically dominates. Cadet 1/c Steven Danseglio (Islip Terrace, N.Y./East Islip) went 8 for 15 and added a goal.

Briarcliffe got on the board first about seven minutes into the game – which was no surprise, as the Bears have made a habit of giving up an early goal – they have trailed 1-0 in nearly every game this season. The Bears then rattled off four answered goals to put themselves in front 4-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The Bears found the back of the net again to open the second period before Briarcliffe rallied for two goals to make it 5-3. Coast Guard went on a 3-0 run to close out the quarter and took an 8-3 lead into halftime. The third quarter was much like the second, Coast Guard scored and Briarcliffe rallied for two goals to make it 9-5, but that was as close as Briarcliffe would get. The Bears went on another 3-0 run to end the third quarter for a 12-5 lead. The Coast Guard offense continued to roll in the fourth quarter – tacking on five more goals in the period and giving up two to win 17-7.

Cadet 1/c Justin Dougherty (Satellite Beach, FL/Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy) picked up the win, making 15 saves allowing seven goals. The four man close-defense rotation of 1/c Tim Wyderko (Detroit, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), 1/c Conor Breckenridge (San Francisco , Calif./Novato), 1/c James Fennessey (Milton, Mass./Milton) and 2/c Nick Fredericksen (Nashua, N.H./Nashua South) played exceptionally well throughout and held Briarcliffe’s offense to a season low output of three goals in the first half. Wyderko led the defense with five groundballs and several individual clearing efforts. The poles were “on the offensive” again as Fredericksen registered a goal, while Fennessey handed out a fast-break assist.

Coast Guard will be back in action on Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM in the friendly confines of Cadet Memorial Stadium taking on No. 22 ranked Stonehill College (6-2, 1-0).

Game Notes:

-The Bears are currently ranked No. 7 overall in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse MCLA Coaches Poll this week.
-This was the Bears third victory over a Top 25 ranked opponent this season.
-Coast Guard shared the ball as 11/17 goals were assisted (64.7.0%).
-Cadet 2/c Nick Fredericksen scored his first collegiate goal.

For additional information – check out: www.coastguardlax.vicid.net.

As the smallest of the five U.S. service academies, the Coast Guard Academy offers the elite higher education, rigorous professional development, and honor and tradition of a military academy but with a more personalized approach.

The Coast Guard Academy offers an integrated life experience which emphasizes academics, physical fitness, character and leadership, in order to graduate officers of the highest caliber. Graduates go directly to positions of leadership in “The Shield of Freedom,” one of the most admired organizations in the world. The Academy also features an impressive teacher-student ratio and picturesque waterfront campus that instills a traditional small college feel.

Cadets devote themselves to an honor concept and graduate to work at sea, on land, in the air, and even in space, in meaningful careers of selfless service to others.

Posted in

Lacrosse Playground

In 2009, Adam O’Neill, Harry Alford and Thomas Alford launched Lacrosse Playground as the preeminent site for lacrosse gearheads. For years Lacrosse Playground provided lacrosse fans with tutorials and tips on how to string a lacrosse head, up-close looks at the gear the top players used and sneak peeks at equipment and uniforms before they were released. More than 10 years and millions of visits later, Lacrosse Playground has relaunched with a focus on storytelling. Our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest lacrosse news, share insights into the sports betting and fantasy lacrosse world and showcase the lifestyles and personalities of the sport of lacrosse through articles, videos and podcasts.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.