Above – Tim Gehlbach twice in the first quarter to pace the Patriots – Photo by Ginger Carter
Lake Brantley (7-1) hosted the Winter Park Wildcats 4-3 on Tom Storey field in Altamonte Spring early Saturday evening. These two teams have a historical rivalry that provides exciting lacrosse action the
Lake Brantley’s Ben Segovia – Photo by Ginger Carter
fans. Both teams clearly had something to prove and showed up ready to make a statement. Jordan Supraner and the rest of the officials did a great job of keeping the game spirited and exciting but well under control.
In the first quarter, Brantley opened up their attack with Tim Gehlbach scoring twice with one in the first 15 seconds. Ryan Crowley also scored with 8:58 remaining in the first quarter. Winter Park was held out by a stiff defense until Thatcher Clark answered back and scored a goal with 1:06 left of the first quarter. The end of the first quarter left the score 3-1 Brantley. The second quarter doubled Brantley’s lead with Jared Bernhardt, Conor Donovan and AJ Monte scoring. Winter Park increased their score with Cameron Gergley and Jack Theron scoring additional goals. The first half ended with the score of 6-3 Brantley.
The third quarter brought on stronger defenses for both teams. The ball went back and forth down the field with only one goal scored. Ryan Crowley received a feed from Jared Bernhardt to score the only goal of the third quarter. Brantley’s defense was lead by Hiram Carter and two thirds of the McKenna triplets, Jacob and William. Both Brantley and Winter Park made adjustments to their attacks in the fourth quarter and put the pedal down. Brantley increased their score by five and Winter Park by four. Gehlbach, Crowley, and Bernhardt were the scorers for Brantley and Cameron Gergley, Thatcher Clark and Andrew Sapashe scored for Winter Park.
Connor Donovan and Ryan Crowley apply pressure – photo by Ginger Carter
As the fourth quarter was ending Brantley was trying to manage the clock. At the two-minute mark Winter Park had the ball and attacked. Brantley’s defense stopped Winter Park and was clearing the ball. The pass from Brantley’s defense to midfield flew high and look like it was going out or back to Winter Park for a return attack. Brantley’s Tyler Goodwin took a move from Michael Jordan sky-walker handbook and snagged the ball out of the air at what looked like ten feet. His momentum carried him forward in a step down power shot that could not be stopped. Goodwin scored the final goal of the game placing Lake Brantley with the win 12-7.
Brantley will play next at Timber Creek on Monday night the 17th and Winter Park’s next game is against Hagarty on Showalter Field on Tuesday the 18th.
