Both the Kenston Bombers and Chardon Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse teams are off to good starts this season.
Both the Kenston Bombers and Chardon Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse teams are off to good starts this season.
The Hilltoppers under first year varsity Head Coach Scott Platz have started the season 10-4, which has included an eight game winning streak.
Likewise, under second year head coach John Tallman, the Bombers have also played well, compiling an 8-4 record. In fact, for the first time in program history, the Bombers defeated perennial Northeast Ohio lacrosse power, the University School Preppers on April 15.
The Bombers, looking to extend their six game winning streak over their rival, hosted the Hilltoppers on April 22.
Although this rivalry matchup was a close 3-1 game through two quarters, the Bombers stayed patient and pulled away after intermission to claim a 9-2 triumph.
Leading the Bombers to victory were sophomore Colin Murphy, junior Jack Bryner and senior Charlie Thompson.
Both Bryner and Murphy had hat tricks (3 goals each), while Thompson totaled five assists. Additionally, Murphy added two assists and Bryner had one.
Afterwards, Bryner attributed the Bombers offensive prowess to their ability to dodge to feed.
“Our plan going in here was dodge to feed,” Bryner said. “So if you dodge and the other person’s guy comes to you, then that guy should be open. If you beat your guy, then you should have another guy on you and your teammate should be open right on the goal.”
Murphy also highlighted the importance of dodge to feed in helping him obtain his goals.
He said that Thompson did a great job of feeding him the ball when he was coming around the crease.
“For me, I liked when Chuck (Thompson) fed me the ball when I came around the crease,” Murphy said. “That was a good look.”
Senior captain Charlie Thompson reiterated the importance of the unselfish style of play that the Bombers utilized.
Thompson said that using a dodge to feed mentality helped his team play together.
“One thing about our team is that we’re not a bunch of individuals, we’re a team,” said Thompson. “None of us are looking to score, we’re all looking to help each other get the goal and just get the win overall.”
When the Bombers are on the offensive attack, Thompson said that he dodges while looking to shoot. Although if he is covered, he will pass to an open teammate.
“When I dodge and see my boys coming around the crease wide open, I have to get it to them and they do the hard work and put it in (the goal),” Thompson said.
Coach Tallman further explained that when attackers have the ball on offense, they usually are looking to shoot on goal which is a dodge to shoot mentality.
However, he said that against good defenses, only looking to shoot when you get the ball often lacks effectiveness. Thus, the Bombers coaching staff has emphasized and taught their players a dodge to feed offensive approach.
“We started working with the guys (by telling them), ‘if somebody’s got the ball and their dodging, you may want to get yourself open too because they might see you,” Coach Tallman said. “Or even better, they might get doubled teamed and your guy is leaving you wide open in front of the net.”
In addition to having success with a dodge to feed offensive strategy, Coach Tallman said that the Bombers ability to stay patient in the second half was crucial in the victory over the Hilltoppers.
In the first half, the Bombers were not as patient as Coach Tallman would have liked.
However, in the second half, the Bombers pulled away from the Hilltoppers as they showed a more patient approach.
“I try to preach patience with these guys,” Coach Tallman said. “The second half (we played more patient), after I made it very clear, ‘patience will help’. “Being patient is a huge part of our game.”
Of course, offense is just one part of lacrosse. Having a strong defense is also important.
Against the Hilltoppers and throughout the season, Coach Tallman said that the Bombers have gotten excellent performances from their goalie, sophomore Brody Sell.
“I shudder to think what would happen if we had a different goalie than Brody (Sell),” said Coach Tallman. “He’s been spectacular this season. Even in losses, he’s been on another level.”
The coach added: “Really comforting to have him back there with that defense.”
Sell said that the Bombers defense did a great job of not allowing the Hilltoppers to get shots from close range.
“Tonight’s game (against the Hilltoppers) was really good, our defense really stepped it up,” said Sell. “We’ve been getting (the offense to take) the shots I want to see. The step downs from far out, that’s where I like to get my saves from. The defense executed (the game plan) perfectly. Got me what I wanted to see.”
For the game, Sell had 8 saves in goal.
Also, scoring goals for the Bombers were Wes Abrahamson, Liam Cufr and Connor Ward.
The Hilltoppers goals were scored by Beckett Dotson and Nick Meyer.
The Hilltoppers ended their week with a 7-4 victory over Fairview (Pa.) on April 26 to move to 10-4 on the season.
