Boys lacrosse
Tigers' lead slips away versus Orchard Park
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Casey Rich of Amherst Central eludes an Orchard Park defender during the Tigers' 8-4 non-league home loss with OP on Tuesday, April 17. Rich is second on the team in points (11 goals, seven assists). Amherst is 3-4. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Amherst's inexperience and depth came back to haunt them in their 8-4 non-league home loss against Orchard Park.

Ahead 4-2 after the first half, Amherst - which in 2005 ended OP's 11-year winning streak in Western New York - was outscored 6-0 in the second half as the Quakers came back to win on Tuesday, April 17. Amherst and OP are traditionally the two best programs in Section VI boys lacrosse.

"We're young and new in a few spots and not deep," said Amherst coach Stefan Henn. "We only have 22 kids and run five midfielders. OP has nine midfielders they can run and it wears on you, especially in a game like that."

Henn said OP could have led 8-4 after the first half had it not been for outstanding goaltending displayed by junior Matt Alwess (16 saves).

"He kept us in it," said Henn. "In the first half, they were getting a lot more chances than we were but couldn't finish on many because of Matt."

Alwess' teammates didn't help him much at times. Henn said his team had a poor day clearing the ball out of Amherst's zone (4 of 14 for 29 percent). Amherst usually clears 80 percent of clearing opportunities.

"It was bad stick work, forcing the ball to the wrong spots and not letting plays develop," said Henn.

The Quakers started their rally with about 1:30 left in the third quarter after an Amherst turnover led to a fastbreak goal by sophomore Jeff Tundo. Kevin Lalley tied the game at 4-4. Another Tigers' turnover led to OP's go-ahead goal from Matt Ferrino around the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

Greg Michael led the Quakers with three goals. Tundo had two goals and three assists.

Brent Doerflein led Amherst with a goal and two assists. Dan Lawson, Sean Smith and Casey Rich each scored a goal.

Henn lauded the defensive work of Chris Brunetto.

The Tigers bounced back from the OP loss with a 9-6 home win at Grand Island on Thursday, April 19. It was Amherst's first league game of the season and ended a three-game losing streak.

"We were ahead the whole game but could never put them away," said Henn.

Amherst's extra man offense was poor, converting on one of six attempts. Amherst is 3 for 26 in extra man attempts for the season.

Henn felt his team was also poor in defensive transition.

Lawson and Will Africano led the Tigers with two goals. Africano also grabbed 10 ground balls. Doerflein, Smith and Casey Rich had a goal and assist. Jimmy Luthart also scored.

Amherst (3-4, 1-0) continues a six-game stand with games against Iroquois at 5 p.m. and Bishop Timon-St. Jude at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com