Bulldogs learn from loss to WW-PS

Hopewell Valley boys lacrosse

By: Mike Molaro
   One of the keys that separates the good teams from the rest of the pack is the ability to turn a loss into a positive learning experience.
   After the Hopewell Valley Central High School boys lacrosse squad fell at West Windsor-Plainsboro South 14-9 Tuesday, the Bulldogs wasted no time sifting through the details to find the proverbial silver lining.
   "We took a couple of positives out of this game," Bulldogs coach Rob Siris said. "We know that we can’t get ahead of ourselves, and we must play our style."
   HoVal (12-8) led 2-0 after one quarter, before the Pirates took control with a five-goal second quarter.
   Senior midfielder Pete Carroll scored three goals, senior midfielder John Squicciarino had two goals, senior attacker Tyler Brewster had a goal and an assist, junior attacker Greg Reading, and sophomore midfielder each had a goal and two assists, sophomore midfielder Mark Squicciarino had a goal and an assist, and junior midfielder Jack Spencer added an assist.
   "Our whole focus was possession," Siris said. "We did that in the first quarter, but then we gave up five goals in the second quarter. When you score nine goals, you should win.
   "The onus is on our offense to possess the ball and help take the pressure off our two young goalies."
   Missing a couple of players due to injury, the Bulldogs didn’t have the legs to match South’s athleticism.
   "We tried to play an upbeat style and couldn’t do that," Siris said. "We didn’t have the players to stay with them. This is the most goals we’ve given up this year, and it was one of our worst defensive efforts of the year.
   "Coming off the great effort against Montclair, this game showed our inconsistency."
   HoVal gave the Mounties all they could handle in a 6-4 road setback on May 11. Montclair was held scoreless in the final quarter, and the Bulldogs hit the post four times.
   "We played a tremendous defensive game," Siris said. "Unfortunately, our offense didn’t possess the ball."
   Carroll scored all four Bulldog goals, and Brewster had an assist.
   Freshman goalie Tony Christensen made four saves.
   "Every time we play great defense, we have a chance to win," Siris said. "If we want to go far in the state tournament, we have to put the offense and defense together in the same game.
   "I’m extremely proud of how we played defensively against Montclair. That’s how we need to play in the state tournament."
   With defending state champion Delbarton expected to earn the top seed, HoVal is looking at a possible nine or 10 seed in the 16-team Group II state tournament.
   "We are in a tough bracket," Siris said. "With the way we played against Kinnelon and Montclair, we proved that we can play with anyone.
   "We need to play our style and not let our opponent dictate the game."
   The Bulldogs visit Notre Dame this afternoon and play host to Hun on Saturday and Montgomery next Tuesday.