Rams Take Down Iona Prep in OT

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          What a game, what a game…...the Rams take down Iona Prep in OT!!!  Those parents and alums who braved the wind and cold on Tuesday were treated to one of the classics in this long and storied rivalry.  Iona went up a goal with roughly a minute left before Fordham took the ball the length of the field and scored with three seconds to go in the game.  In OT Jack Dougherty ‘18 (Manhattan) then placed one on the run in the lower corner of the net to give the Rams the win.  The momentum went back and forth the whole game and both teams really left it all out on the field.  But it’s hard not to admit that a win against the Gaels always puts a bigger than usual smile on our face.

          Just to give you an idea as to how tight this rivalry is.  Since 1992, the Fordham / Iona game has been decided by one goal 17 times with one goal games occurring twice in a season four times (1992, 2012, 2013, 2014).  On top of that, the games have been decided in overtime seven times including twice in triple overtime (2008, 2014).

You can check out some of the social media posts and soundbites here:

          After coming off the emotional OT win against Iona, on Thursday the Rams struggled to generate momentum against an extremely talented St. Anthony’s team which beat the Prep 13 - 7.    

          Congratulations to James Murray ‘18 (Larchmont) for scoring his 50th career point versus St. Anthony’s.  Thomas Marra ‘18 (Irvington) continues to be one of the top scorers in the area and is currently in the #4 slot of the Lohud Boys Scoring Rankings.  Additionally, the Rams moved up one spot to #7 in the Lohud Boys Lacrosse Rankings, but are expected to move up again this week after the win over #3 Iona Prep.

A few other odds and ends:

  • Current season stats are now up on the website here

  • The team store closes on 4/23.  Place your order here

  • Save the date for the alumni game and family BBQ on Saturday 6/9

 

Iona Prep Recap:  (W 7 - 6 OT)

          This game never disappoints.  Despite miserably cold conditions that felt more like early March, this team showed that when they play as a cohesive unit they can go toe to toe with any competitor.  The OT loss to Wilton gave a good look as to what they were capable of versus Iona.
          The Rams once again got off to a quick start going man up early in the first quarter.  In the first few seconds of the penalty, Jack Dougherty ‘18 netted a quick goal.  James Murray ‘18 then fed Andrew Coyne ‘18 (Manhattan) shortly thereafter in what was the prettiest play of the game for either side.  Coyne’s off ball movement gave him his second goal of the season. The Prep led 2 - 1 at the end of the first quarter.  The offense then went quiet in the second quarter as Iona tied it up to end the half 2 - 2.
          In the third quarter Iona controlled possession for the majority of the time and went ahead 3 - 2.  Playing from behind inspired Edward Madden ‘18 (Crestwood) who went on a face and bull dodge tear, netting two in a row to take the game to 4 - 3.  Iona then tied it up 4 - 4 to start the fourth quarter.  Ryan Gilchrist ‘18 (Crestwood) came off the DL for the first time this season and put a goal on the board a few minutes into his season debut and ignited both the sideline and the Rams nation fans in the stands.  With minutes to go Iona tied it up with a double man up penalty offense. 
          The final two minutes of regulation were some of the most compelling sports minutes you could ever witness.  With 90 seconds remaining, Iona rifled a top right corner laser that turned into James Corasaniti ‘18’s eighth save of the day.  However, shortly thereafter the Rams clear failed as his outlet pass was picked off by an Iona defender who ran from midfield and scored.  Iona had the lead 6- 5 with 60 seconds remaining.
          Iona won the final faceoff in regulation and the referees put them on the clock, but with 50 seconds remaining Iona turned over the ball.  After a successful clear and a Rams timeout, Fordham went on the attack but subsequently also turned over the ball.  Iona again had to get to the box.  With 21 seconds to play, Corasaniti '18 left the cage and picked off a pass between Iona attackmen and fed Michael Bugniazet ‘18 (Harrison) who took it the length of the field and hit James Murrary ‘18 at the top of the crease who scored with only 2 seconds remaining in the game and forced overtime.
          Iona had been dominant at the faceoff X throughout regulation play, however Stephen Zupicich ‘19 (Bronxville) battled to win the opening faceoff in overtime.   After a quick timeout Jack Dougherty ‘18 dodged down the right alley and hit the game winner.  Then the sticks and gloves went flying into the air as the team rushed the field.  This was one for the ages.

Stat Line:  Dougherty ‘18 2G, Madden ‘18 2G, Murray ‘18 1G/1A, Coyne ‘19 1G, Gilchrist ‘18 1G, Marra ‘18 1A, Bugniazet ‘18 1A

 

St. Anthony’s Recap:  (L 7 - 13)

          In an away game that was plagued by poor weather (rain, wind, cold, and hail), the Rams lost 13 - 7.  The Prep was down 10 - 2 at the half but clawed back in the second half with the help of Will Rice ‘20 (New Rochelle) who stepped up in goal and kept the Rams in the game.  The Holy Cross commits continue to pile on the points this season as Jack Dougherty ‘18 netted 3 and Thomas Marra ‘18 scored 2 in the game. In addition, James Murray ‘18 and Quinn English each had one.

Stat Line:  Dougherty ‘18 3G, Marra ‘18 2G, Murray ‘18 1G, English 1G ‘19, Reilly ‘19 1A