Ball is in our court...time to play

Wow it is a great feeling being back on the winning side of things! All emotions feel even better because both wins were against conference teams. It has been a little while since the last blog. I remember just typing aimlessly, trying to come up with words to sound good. I was just really in the dumps after that tough three game losing streak. Well, we are back. The guys have come together through intense practices and long film sessions, in order to prepare for these past two games. Basically two games with huge implications. The fate of this season would be determined by the outcomes on both Saturday and Wednesday.
There was a lot of talking going on inside the locker room about Oswego. With the past two years having gone our way against them, you knew they were ready to hand it to us. Having also beaten Ithaca earlier in the season in triple OT and seeing how we suffered to them 10-5, they had in their minds that this year things would change. Unfortunately for them, they were heavily mistaken. Just a complete team effort and intensity was brought to the field on Saturday. With most of the team's parents and friends in attendance, due to the holiday weekend, the boys put on quite the show. 51 seconds into the game, Kramer put our first goal on the board. We just exploded from then on out, scoring 6 unanswered and leading 7-0 at half. A big day for myself at the X along with 9 saves by Gordie Ghering allowed for Oswego to never even think of making it interesting. Final 13-4.
With a solid statement win, we enjoyed the rest of the weekend with our families and friends. Back strapped up on Monday, we hit the field destined to do something that has never been done in this programs history, Beat Oneonta at home. With the past victory behind us, we focused on a team that we have played close almost every year. Practicing to their strengths to prepare our defense and middies really allowed us to be fully prepared. We even had Division 1 Coach Pedrick suit up to replicate their best player in our minds. Film allowed us to explore weaknesses to exploit in the actually game. I will say, there were not many. We were prepared to play just a good team, well balanced and equipped with some players that could play at a very high level. With the right preparation and focus in mind, we knew was not enough to get us the win. We would have to play an entire 60 minutes, and completely keep them out of the game, because we are familiar with what it is like if we let them hang in there. Last season, with the major help of their face-off man, they rallied a comeback that almost put us in the losing column.
Tim Lawrence just played a fantastic game, scoring the the first two goals of the game within the first three minutes of play. Suddenly tied up at 3-3, Lawrence scored his third of the day to give us the lead that we would then not let up. Sophomore Anthony Pafundi, had a big day as well, adding a hat trick that solidified a 13-8 victory for the Cards. This year our long stick middies did a great job at just completely shutting down their best players and causing multiple transitional goals as well. As always we had a wonderful tailgate provided by some of the best parents. The Kilderry's who make the trip up just about every Wednesday game, which we all know is extremely hard to do considering work schedules. The Olsens, McClellands, Mr. Phillip/ Tolan (they are like a package) and who ever else I missed, we just appreciate as a program all the effort that you guys put in to be great fans.

Nothing really more going over here right now. Back to practice tomorrow, and more school work. Oh! Let me not forget to remind everyone to tune into tomorrow's NHL playoff match up between the NY Rangers and the Ottawa Senators. Go Rangers! Now that hockey is almost coming to an end, all we have left is baseball and basketball, SOO depressing! Although I am a big Knicks fan also, but despise baseball...

We have no game this weekend, so all of our focus will be aimed at next weeks rivalry versus Potsdam. A large "unfavorite" for pretty much anyone who has played here.

Keep racking of views on all the videos on YouTube (MJSLAX12) All you have to do is type that in on the search bar and all my videos will come up.

Last night I watched this documentary on Harvard Lacrosse... Just fell in love with it basically. It is something I really would love to do for this program but am just so limited with equipment and also the fact that I play for the team. Who knows, maybe in the future...take a look in your spare time




Have a good night..


-Mike Santi