Above: Fleming Island sophomore Patrick Schreiber (5) shoots from behind his back while Providence goaltender Wyatt Peninger defends. The shot hit the post. Photo by Ray DiMonda.
A suffocating defense and four goals apiece from Patrick Schreiber and Devan Marquis powered host Fleming Island over Jacksonville Providence 14-6 Thursday night.
Fittingly led on Senior Night by fourth year players Isaak Funyak and Andy Zima, the Golden Eagles defenders clung to the Stallions like neck pillows, making every clear perilous for the Stallions.
“I told them, ‘Ground balls and aggressive riding wins lacrosse games,’” said Fleming Island coach John Hawley. “We dominated ground balls. I want to single out Isaac Funyak and Andy Zima for their hustle and their ground balls, especially off of face offs.”
Funyak and Zima each snared five ground balls, while fellow long pole Addison deAbreu-Reese had four. The Golden Eagles enjoyed a 43-13 edge on ground balls, and as a result outshot Providence 46-16.
The effectiveness of the defense was critical, as it took a while for the Fleming Island offense to get going. More than eight minutes elapsed before Schreiber scored the game’s first goal.
Once Schreiber lifted the lid, the goals came frequently. The Golden Eagles notched four scores in the final 3:49 of the first quarter, including Schreiber’s buzzer-beating rip which ruffled the net just before the first quarter horn sounded. Fleming Island extended its lead to 9-1 by halftime, by which time Schreiber and Marquis each had hat tricks. Hawley largely rested his regulars, including senior goaltender Ryan Kelly, who had four saves against just one goal allowed, in the second half.
The Stallions threatened to make a game of it with consecutive goals by eighth grader Guy Bistro, attack Jared Silvey and sophomore Peyton Oliver to start the third quarter. But Fleming Island senior Will Yarbrough forced yet another turnover on a Providence clear attempt and found Schreiber alone just outside the crease for an easy conversion that restored a six-goal lead for the hosts with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter. Yarbrough played one of his best games, with two goals—one from behind his back— an assist and four ground balls.
Hawley started all of his healthy seniors, and at times in the second half allowed seniors to play with their freshman brothers. Hawley briefly played Danny Schreiber, a senior, with Patrick and freshman Andrew Schreiber at attack at the same time, and allowed senior middie Nick Horrell to play alongside his brother Daniel Horrell. Andrew Schreiber scored in transition off of a feed from sophomore Phil Rochester.
Goalies Daniel Delahanty and Wyatt Peninger played well for the Stallions, each registering 10 saves under heavy pressure. Bistrow and Silvey both finished with two goals, while Austin Otwell added the other Providence score. Providence, now 7-7, hosts Orangewood Christian at 11:00 Saturday morning.
Fleming Island’s Isaak Funyak (35) races upfield with the ball while Stallions attack Jared Silvey (2) and Cade McCann (4) give chase. Photo by Ray DiMonda.
The Golden Eagles, also 7-7, return to action Friday night in a rematch against Tallahassee Maclay. Maclay bested Fleming Island 6-3 in the Moe’s Classic earlier this season.