’Canes edge Pats in double-OT thriller

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 4/9/15

Monday’s game between the Warwick Vets and Pilgrim boys’ lacrosse teams was one of those contests where it was a shame that someone had to come away with a loss.

The ’Canes looked to be in …

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’Canes edge Pats in double-OT thriller

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Monday’s game between the Warwick Vets and Pilgrim boys’ lacrosse teams was one of those contests where it was a shame that someone had to come away with a loss.

The ’Canes looked to be in control heading into the fourth quarter, holding on to a seemingly comfortable 11-7 lead.

But the Pats battled back to score four unanswered goals in the final frame, with the tying goal coming from Steve Pezzullo with 25 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for the Pats, though, after a scoreless first overtime period, Vets’ senior captain, Mickenzey Pacheco, put the game away just seven seconds into overtime to give the ’Canes a 12-11 win.

It wasn’t an ideal way to end the game for Vets, but a win always looks the same in the standings, no matter how you get it.

“I’d like to keep a lead like that next time, but I liked the way that they stuck with it,” Vets’ head coach Alex Gregson said. “Pilgrim was able to put together a nice little run there, but we were able to hang in there and get the win in the end.”

For the Pats, it was an impressive showing in their first Rhode Island Interscholastic League game, but there was no question that there was some disappointment after the double-overtime loss.

“Year one and game one – this was our first varsity game as an organization – I’ll take it,” Pilgrim head coach Erik Stachurski said. “We still have some work to do, but I don’t think you’ve heard the last of us this season.”

It was evident that the two teams were just about as even as they could be from the start, with the two teams playing to a 4-4 tie in the first quarter.

Pat Reilly gave the Pats a 5-4 lead just over two minutes into the second quarter, and that’s where the score stayed for a majority of the quarter.

But the ’Canes took a late first-half lead thanks to Pacheco, who netted three goals within the span of 30 seconds in the final minute and a half of the second frame, giving Vets a 7-5 lead at the break.

Vets picked up right where it left off to begin the third quarter, taking an 11-7 lead by the time the quarter came to an end on a pair of goals from sophomore Tim Chaffee and a goal apiece from Pacheco and Brad Robert.

But Pilgrim gradually began to turn the momentum early in the fourth quarter, with Nolan McCusker finding the back of the net with 8:32 left to make it 11-8.

Vets was able to stabilize its lead for a while, but the Pats were able to chip away at their deficit again with 3:28 remaining when Pezzullo made it a two-goal game.

Reilly then cut it to one on a power play goal, setting up the game-tying goal from Pezzullo to make it 11-11 in the final minute to send the game to overtime.

Pilgrim’s goalie, Matt Parente, made an outstanding stop in the first overtime period to force a second overtime, but it was ultimately Pacheco that ended the game just seven seconds in after winning the opening face-off – netting his game-high fifth goal of the contest.

Pacheco gave the ’Canes a lift when they desperately needed a goal. Vets and Gregson will look to the senior to provide an offensive spark all season long.

“He won every single faceoff he took out there,” Gregson said. “He’s been a starter with us since his sophomore year and was our offense last year. We’re spreading the ball around a little bit more, but when we need a goal, we’re definitely giving it to No. 8.”

The win pushed the ’Canes to 1-1 in the standings, while the loss dropped the Pats to 0-1.

Vets is confident that it has enough talent on its roster to make a deep playoff push this season.

In net, senior captain Chris Defreitas will serve as Vets’ last line of defense once again this season after starting in his junior season.

“I’m expecting him to step up big, and he has already,” Gregson said.

Connor Thompson, another senior captain, will pace Vets’ defense this season, while Pacheco and Robert will lead the offensive charge.

Gregson is looking for big things out of Robert, who played every position but goalie last year, but will be relied upon to provide some offense this season at attack.

Pilgrim, on the other hand, will rely upon Reilly, Pezzullo and McCusker at attack this spring.

The Pats have the least experience at midfield, but will look for Dean Russo, who had a pair of goals against Vets, and Jim McKay to elevate their contribution levels.

Like Vets, Pilgrim will also rely on its senior captain in goal, with Parente playing in-between the pipes.

Ethan White, who is versatile and can play just about anywhere, will anchor the Pats’ defense, as will senior captain Antonio Bolarinho.

The Pats were set to host Tiverton/Rogers on Wednesday for their first home game, but results were unavailable at press time.

Vets will look to move above .500 with a 7 p.m. game at Tiverton/Rogers on Monday.

Both teams are optimistic about their seasons heading into the thick of the league schedule.

“Last year, we missed the playoffs because we were short on players,” Gregson said. “This year, I definitely want to make it deep into the playoffs.”

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