4/25/2014 OXBRIDGE ACADEMY V.S. BOCA RATON HIGH SCHOOL Last night ended the Oxbridge Academy’s terrific lax season in the hands of a more senior Boca Raton High School. Many questions about the Oxbridge “legitimacy” were answered this season and this time the better team won to take on Benjamin High School in the Third Round of Playoffs @ Benjamin High School fields on 4/29/2014 at 7 pm. We wish them well! This contest started out with firecrackers. Right from the get go Oxbridge wanted to establish themselves and from a face-off fast break #20 Robert Bayless  passed the ball to #7 Riley Smith who scored one minute and eight seconds into the game. In the ensuing face-off, less than a minute later,  #7 Riley Smith, again, got the ball, fed it to #23 Liam Lisec who deposited the rock behind Boca Raton goalie#1 Collin Pepper. Next face-off and another fast-break, but this time Boca was in possession of the ball with #6 Brad Singer feeding the ball to #18 Tripp Whitney, who scored for Boca. The next possession resulted in a center break by #6 Brad Singer, again, who did not miss his target. Score is tied Oxbridge 2 – Boca Raton 2. Wow! The speed of the game was amazing the ball movement fast.  Boca ended up scoring six unanswered goals: The additional goals were scored by #4 Parker Giarratana from an Oxbridge error, #8 Nick McCabe from the periphery shot, #4 Parker Giarratana, again, by coming around the goal and using the defender as a shield, and #4 Parker Giarratana with and individual effort inside. Oxbridge gained an EMO towards the end of first quarter and #7 Riley Smith finally got one back for Oxbridge with 1:40 left to play in the first quarter. There were still a couple of more blistering shots by Boca taken against the Oxbridge goal, but #1 Ethan Randell was able to handle those to keep the score the same. End of  First Quarter score:   Oxbridge Academy 3 – Boca Raton High School 6.   In the Second Quarter Boca Raton did not waste any time and started with the same intensity as in the beginning, frustrating the Oxbridge defense. Goals were scored as follows; BRHS #8 Nick McCabe from a feed while Boca was playing man down, at 10:05 left in the quarter. BRHS #10 Ryan Clinton another periphery rocket shot at 9:23 left. BRHS #8 Nick McCabe, again, by bullying his way through the Oxbridge defense and finishing his dodge with and accurate shot in the inside at 9:08 left. BRHS #10 Ryan Clinton, again, by dodging from the X and scoring at 5:23 left Oxbridge was able to get one back by winning a face –off, that yielded a fast break were #19 Bobby Kilian scored  from a feed inside. Oxbridge played EMO while a turnover awarded Boca’s  # 6 Brad Singer, yet, another opportunity to shoot and score from the top. At 2:07 left of the second quarter #6 Zach Ranta tried dodging in from the top, but the early slide made him pass the ball to #7 Riley Smith who scored for Oxbridge Academy. Less than a minute later Oxbridge was on a attack again and #23 Liam Lisec received a pass at the crease, which he decidedly put behind Boca Goalie, # 1 Collin Pepper. Lots of goals, but we were not done yet! With 26.6 seconds left in the quarter BRHS # 7 Christian Mauro scored from a dodge. Halftime Score:   Oxbridge 6 –  Boca Raton High School  12   The third quarter started at a much slower pace. When Boca gained possession of the ball they were very carefully evaluating their approaches and shots always making sure that shots that were backed up to maintain the ball possession. With the pace slowing to a crawl the excitement and the entertainment value of this contest also deteriorated. Boca was able to get a fast break from a clear and #10 Ryan Clinton scored for Boca. There was 4:11 left to play in the quarter. Oxbridge Academy, from a dodge from X (behind the goal), #23 Liam Lisec with 2:29 left to play kept the goal differential the same as at the half.. This was it for action for the Third Quarter. End of Third Quarter Score:         Oxbridge 7  –  Boca Raton High School  13   During the Fourth Quarter, Oxbridge came out trying everything to gain possession to the ball and to control the flow of the game.  However, both teams ended up scoring three goals each. BRHS #7 Christian Mauro from an individual effort. OXB #20 Robert Bayless with a cut from a left side. BRHS # 4 Parker Giarratana with a dodge from behind. While playing EMO OXB #6 Zach Ranta fed to #7 Riley Smith, who scored. BRHS #19 Jeremy Licata scored  from a feed from the X . OXB #7 Riley Smith completed the scoring tally with 36.1 seconds left to play. Final Score:    Boca Raton 16  –  Oxbridge 10   The game was exciting to watch as both teams exhibited high level of skills. Both teams were also coached very well. Time out calls by each team were right on the spot and always seemed to yield results. Both of these teams were working hard and played together as a team. It is a joy to see this quality lacrosse being played right here in South Florida. Either one of these teams would not have to worry about playing against their Northern competition. We may have not reached parity yet, but where I sit it is really close! And that is a fun and exciting thing to see!!! We wish Boca Raton well in their continuing play towards the State Titles. And for Oxbridge Academy, we can’t wait until next year. You have proven yourself with your play! Congrats and good luck next year.