Sandpoint Defeats Men’s Varsity
SANDPOINT, ID – On Sunday, May 2nd, the MEL Men’s Varsity team travelled to Sandpoint, Idaho, for a double header. Wet conditions on the game field led to a pre-game field switch and lining, but after a brief delay the teams were lined up and ready to play. Sandpoint won the initial draw and set up their offense as the boys in black opened in a new-look zone defense. The patient Sandpoint attack was able to generate 10 shots in the initial period, but most were from the outside and they were only able to put 2 into the net. Matt Gosselin (SR, Big Sky) was able to beat his man and bury a goal in the first, and Missoula headed into the break down 2 – 1.
In the 2nd quarter, the Missoula boys really worked hard and things started to click. The defense switched over to an isolation attack and Joel Colbert (SR, Hellgate) forced 3 turnovers in the quarter. Those takeaways led to solid transition and Gosselin dished out 2 assists to Trevor Johnson (JR, Sentinel) and Jack Lundin (SO, Hellgate). Lundin’s goal was his first of the season, but came with a price as he would be injured during the play. Bodies were colliding, the ball was moving well, and both teams looked good in the first half.Gosselin also added a goal in the quarter and Missoula trailed by a single goal heading into the half, down 5- 4.
In the 2nd half the Missoula team really started to hurt from a lack of depth. With only 16 active players making the trip, and a few injuries in the game already, the tone really shifted as Sandpoint started to control the tempo. They out-shot Missoula 21 – 6 in the 2nd half, including a 12 – 2 advantage in the 4th quarter that would easily seal the deal. Sandpoint won the game 14 – 6.
Goaltender Rian Tuttle (SR, Hellgate) played well during the onslaught and finished with 12 saves in the game. Coty Becker (JR, Valley Chirstian), who moved up to attack for the first time in the season, played hard and registered 7 groundballs and a goal in the game. Midfielder Spencer Schultz (FR, Hellgate) had a very solid game between the lines and won a team high 8 groundballs in the contest. Defender Ryan Fowler (SO, Big Sky) also played well on the ground, he finished with a season high 7 groundballs. After a shaky start, face-off specialist Colter Lear really dug in, winning 4 of 6 draws in the second half.
In the 2nd game, the coaches elected for tournament-style 20 minute halves. Both teams invited a few JV players to stick around and play, and the game had a much more laid back feel. The offense was led again by Matt Gosselin and Coty Becker. Becker finished with a goal and also assisted Gosselin on both of his goals. Trevor Johnson, Spencer Schultz, and Colter Lear all had solid efforts in the contest. Schultz led the team again in groundballs with 7 in the game. Brandon Roose (JR, Sentinel) also saw his first action as a goalkeeper during the game, he finished with 2 saves and zero goals allowed. JV players Lee Raunig (SO, Hellgate) and Dave Anderson (FR, Frenchtown) each played hard, with Raunig causing a turnover and Anderson generating 3 shots during the game.
Sandpoint really worked the off ball cutters and took advantage of the tired MEL squad during the scrimmage to earn the 8 – 3 victory, but it was still a fun way to wrap up the day and good for both programs to start planning for the future.
Thanks to everybody who made the trip from Missoula and to Sandpoint for hosting a great day of lacrosse! Thanks to Julie Gosselin for the photos you see here, great work! Also thanks to Gordy Pace for sharing your photos again with us, check them out!
