May. 15th, 2004 - Penalties skin Buffaloes in consolation loss to LaxCats
Penalties skin Buffaloes in consolation loss to LaxCats
Article by Dan Morris
FENTON, MO – In a contest dominated statistically by the University of Colorado, strong goaltending and three extra man goals lifted Arizona over the third seeded Buffaloes, 8-5. The final consolation match was played with 12:00 stop time periods, as it was rescheduled from the previous day due to weather and field availability.
Although Colorado edged out Arizona in shots, ground balls, and face-offs won, the Buffs found themselves against a wall shooting at LaxCat goaltender Charlie Salemi (Gilbert, AZ). Salemi's eight fourth quarter saves, including three at point blank range at critical times, were able to stave off the Buffaloes' rally to secure the victory.
"A lot of times you get shots because you work hard off the ball, you work hard for ground balls and after the first quarter, they really outhustled us and outworked us, and you can't do that if you are playing a good team," said Colorado Head Coach John Galvin.
With the clock beginning its countdown to start the first quarter, Salemi found himself sitting on the bench, one of many starters who sat the opening 9:00 minutes for team disciplinary reasons.
"We did pretty well, we had to make some adjustments with our personnel today, and everyone stepped up, especially our man-up. We had everyone play today," said Arizona Head Coach Ken Broschart.
Colorado used that time to put in two goals in the first three minutes of the game against backup goalie Greg Abdouch (Scottsdale, AZ). The first goal came in the Buffaloes' only man-up opportunity, when Sophomore Brian Morgan (Littleton, CO) capitalized on Junior Dan Young's (Poway, CA) slashing penalty.
Under a minute later, Colorado's Jeremy Kellog (Boston, MA) found a cutting Andrew Upah (Ridge, NJ) with a high cross-crease pass for the leaping slam dunk at 9:49. Once Salemi entered the game at 9:00 in the first, the Buffaloes would be held scoreless until 3:14 remained in the third quarter, mounting costly penalties while Arizona scored five unanswered goals.
Sean Kerley (Yuma, AZ) was the first to score for the LaxCats, when an unnecessary roughness call and a slashing penalty gave Arizona a two man-up situation. Although the first penalty was released seconds before the goal, Colorado didn't have time to recover on defense, allowing Harrison Crawford (Phoenix, AZ) to record the assist.
"That was something we have been fighting with all year," said Coach Galvin about the penalties against his team. "Stupid penalties… we can't afford it anymore, and that is something that will change for next season."
Arizona tied the game with good ball movement at 1:09, when midfielder Jeems Lochridge (Pacific Grove, CA) passed from the top of the box to attackman Adam Paris (Portland, OR), who backdoored his defender standing on the crease for the goal.
In the second quarter, the Laxcats would go up on Colorado for good with their second man-up goal when Kerley scored his second of the day. An unbelievable Salemi save would preserve that lead minutes later, when the goaltender was thrown three high fakes and still stuffed his attacker.
Although Colorado and Arizona found themselves knocked out of the second round of the tournament, both teams share one thing: a first year coach bringing stability and direction to the program.
Arizona's Head Coach Ken Broschart has returned them to the national tournament after a one year absence, and Colorado's John Galvin was named the 2004 MDIA Coach of the Year, closing the revolving door on that position for the foreseeable future.
"The award only reflects on the players that you have," said Coach Galvin of his Coach of the Year honor.
"We have had a tumultuous history, four coaches in four years, and it is hard to get a good roll going when you are changing coaches and programs and ideas every year," said Colorado senior and 1st Team All-America Goalie Chris Bluse (Golden, CO). "We finally have someone who will stick with us to the end and we will be able to get back here every year, make a good showing, and get out of the quarterfinals."
For departing Arizona senior Lochridge, 2004 was what he felt was their best season so far. "The good thing about next season is we are only losing three seniors, so this is the halfway point between this year and next, so they should come back revamped."