Fordham Prep Drops 2OT Thriller to Wilton; Iona and St. A's on Tap

          Big week ahead for the Fordham Prep lacrosse team as they face CHSAA foes Iona Prep and St. Anthony’s.  No explanation needed as to the significance of an Iona game.  The Rams deserve a big turnout for this game given how hard they are working and battling this season.  So let’s get as many parents, alums, and friends to New Rochelle on Tuesday to support the team!  Iona is 7 -1 this season including a win over mutual opponent Rye Country Day and its only loss against Chaminade.  St. Anthony’s is 4 - 2 with losses to perennial powers Yorktown and Delbarton (NJ), and like the Prep, have a win over St. John the Baptist.  Fordham last played St. Anthony’s in 2016 (L 13 - 3)

          This week the Rams suffered their first loss to a very strong Rye team that was coming off a surprise upset by Pelham.  The Prep was up 3 - 0 about halfway through the second quarter before Rye went on a 10 goal run that Fordham could not answer.  The Rams then lost a heartbreaker in double overtime to Wilton 9 - 8 on Thursday night; a game that may foreshadow what the team is truly capable of achieving this season.  The team then rebounded on a day’s rest to win a league game versus St. Dominic’s on Friday under the lights at Sacred Heart University.
 

Rye High School Recap:  (L 4 - 10)

          The Prep started strong with Thomas Marra ‘18 (Irvington) snagging a steal during the team’s first ride and turning it into a goal.  James Dougherty ‘18 (Manhattan) then followed up putting one in the top corner.  The Rams took the 2 - 0 lead into the second quarter and expanded it when James Murray ‘18 (Larchmont) snagged another steal during a ride and fed Carson Brown ‘18 (Manhattan) for his second goal of the season.  The Garnets then awoke going on an unanswered 10 goal tear until late in the fourth quarter when Dougherty ‘18 drained his second goal.  Unforced errors and lack of groundball wins plagued the Rams in the second half.
          The bright spots of the game were the team’s strong riding and the performance by Ethan Tym ‘19 (New Rochelle), who was a standout in creating turnovers throughout the game.  In numerous situations the Rams nearly ran the clear clock out on Rye.

Stat Line:  Dougherty ‘18 2G, Marra ‘18 1G, Brown ‘18 1G, Murray ‘18 1A, Corasaniti ‘18 12 saves
 

Wilton High School Recap:  (L 8 - 9 2OT)

          Can a loss almost feel like a win; this one sure had elements of it.  Both defenses came out strong but the Rams got on the board first with a man up goal opportunity by Jack Dougherty ‘18.  Wilton then regained control going ahead 3 - 1 deep into the first quarter.  However, Edward Madden ‘18 (Crestwood), who was consistently sacrificing his body, put one in late to make it 3 - 2 to start the second.  Andrew Coyne ‘18 (Manhattan) got his first goal of the season midway through the second quarter to get the Rams within one, 4 - 3.  Dougherty ‘18, Thomas Marra ‘18, and James Murray ‘18 each netted goals in the quarter to put the Prep up 6 - 5 at the half.  

          Early in the third quarter Wilton tied it up but James Corasaniti ‘18 (Manhattan) came up big with two saves in the closing seconds to keep the game tied.  The fourth quarter would bring the most exciting Rams lacrosse so far this season.  Wilton scored early in the quarter to take a 7 - 6 lead but Thomas Marra ‘18 answered quickly to tie it up.  With two minutes left, Wilton went ahead by one but again the Rams came back and answered with an incredibly athletic diving goal from James Murray ‘18.  With the scored knotted at 8 - 8 and 30 seconds to play, the Rams defense locked down the top of the crease like the 90’s Pistons in the paint and brought on overtime.

          The first overtime was dominated by the Rams defense which caused several turnovers - Stephen Zupicich ‘19 (Bronxville) and Ethan Tym ‘19 were beasts in this game.  In the waning seconds of overtime James Corasaniti ‘18 game up big again, making three consecutive rapid fire saves.  But in the end to no avail, halfway through the second overtime, Wilton got a clean look at the top of the crease and scored.   Wilton’s post game celebration was a true compliment to the Rams hard fought battle.  This one was truly a team effort across the board.  

Stat Line:  Marra ‘18 2G, Madden ‘18 2G, Dougherty ‘18 2G, Murray 1G/1A, Coyne 1G, Corasaniti ‘18 10 saves

 

St. Dominic’s Recap:  (W 12 - 9)

          The emotional and physical toll from the stinging overtime loss to Wilton the day before was apparent throughout this St. Dominic’s game.  Fordham took an 8 - 6 lead into halftime and the 12 - 9 win was far closer than the Rams level of play the day before.  The standouts in game were the strength, resilience, and production of the Rams offense.  The defense looked like they were begging to play zone when this competitor demanded man to man coverage.  In the end, the offense lifted the team on its back and got the job done. Thomas Marra ‘18 netted 5 goals while Edward Madden ‘18 scored 4 and had 2 assists.  James Murray ‘18, Jack Dougherty ‘18, and Andrew Coyne ‘18 all contributed to the scoring.

Stat Line:  Madden ‘18 4G/2A, Marra ‘18 5G, Murray ‘18 2G, Dougherty ‘18 1G, Coyne ‘18 1A