May. 11th, 2004 - Arizona uses big run to beat upstart Georgia Tech
Fenton, MO – A wise sage once said that lacrosse is a game of runs. 4th seeded Arizona used a huge 8-goal run to earn a come from behind 13 – 7 victory over the 13th seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in opening round play from the MDIA National Championship Tournament. The LaxCats advance to Wednesday afternoon's quarterfinal round where they will face-off with league rival Sonoma State (5 seed).
Attackman Gary Bridges, star of the 2004 SELC tournament, got his team off to a strong start. Bridges scored a draw and dump goal off a feed from midfielder Craig Kronenthal from behind the goal.
The speedy Arizona squad was just getting warmed up.
Steve Luna, a junior midfielder from Highland H.S. in Phoenix, burst by his Georgia Tech defender on a split dodge. Georgia Tech goalie Andy Babcock (The Darlington School; Rome, GA) came up with an early huge one on one save to thwart the scoring chance.
Moments later Luna missed another scoring chance after a busted clear attempt by the Jackets. His empty net shot from 20 feet out was just wide.
But sophomore Cole Dea equalized the game for Arizona at 11:23 off a feed from senior Jeems Lochridge (Stevenson H.S.; Pacific Grove, CA).
Adam Paris would give the LaxCats a 2 – 1 lead. Paris, an Attackman from Portland, Oregon, scored off a feed from David Sherman at the 8:35 mark.
The ever popular "U of A" chants are back at Field 5 for the first time since pre-game.
The Georgia Tech defense shifted into a zone in an attempt to slow down the swift Arizona offense. The quick Arizona attack would cause problems all day long for the Jackets.
Paris added his second goal of the game on an empty netter after another busted Georgia Tech clear. The Junior would finish with a game high 6 points (5g, 1a).
The game was on the verge of slipping away from the shorthanded squad from Atlanta.
"Depth is always an issue with us," admitted Georgia Tech coach Ken Lovic after the game. "We only play about 4 midfielders. Our low numbers hurt us today."
But the Jackets wouldn't rollover. Georgia Tech answered with their "big run" of the day. Four consecutive goals over the next 14 minutes, not only reestablished the Jackets in this contest, but gave them a two goal cushion.
2004 SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Offensive Player of the Year Will Oakley scored an extra-man goal to start the scoring run for the Jackets. Attackman Ryan Wilkinson hammered home a goal after Defenseman Nick Beckman's effective coast to coast clear. Wilkinson then feed Craig Kronenthal from behind the goal. And Attackman Sean Dvoran would finish the 4 – 0 scoring run on another fast break goal.
Just like that, the Jackets had a 5 – 3 lead.
"We didn't realize it would be a dog fight," admitted Paris after the game.
Luna added that Arizona had their "wake up call" when Georgia Tech took the 2 goal lead.
Arizona would come back. Sophomore Greg Pohlheber (Salpointe H.S.; Tucson, AZ) notched a fast break goal of his own off a feed from Paris.
The 13th seeded Yellow Jackets took a somewhat surprising 5 – 4 lead to the halftime break.
Sophomore defenseman Carson Parmelee (Rampo H.S.; Camden, NJ) scored a long-stick goal at the 10:26 mark of the third quarter after running the length of the field. The Tech slide was a second too late.
Midfielder Mike Verga (Gloucester H.S.; Gloucester, MA) would add a coast to coast goal of his own for the Jackets less then a minute later to answer the bell for the Jackets.
And it would be the last goal for the Jackets for a long time. It was time for Arizona to take their run.
The LaxCats would rip off 8 consecutive unanswered goals. Arizona erased a one-goal lead for the Jackets and gave themselves a seven goal lead before it was all said and done.
As famous college broadcaster Keith Jackson might say. "Big M" had put on a white jersey. Momentum had swung in a big way to the higher seeded LaxCats wearing white jerseys and red hats.
Polhberer and Paris had a pair of goals each in the 8-goal Arizona onslaught.
Georgia Tech's defense was ragged after a crisp first half effort. Arizona was riding with increased intensity, forcing several turnovers.
"Mental breakdowns cost us the game in the 2nd half," added Georgia Tech goalie Andy Babcock.
Arizona Head Coach Ken Broschart admired his opponent's effort. "They have an enormous amount of heart and determination. It definitely took us a while to get rolling in this contest."