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Parma Heights, OH– Six days after the originally scheduled first game and two postponements later, Holy Name finally was able to play regular season lacrosse. The wait was well worth it as they took home the win 12-2 over Elyria Catholic.
The first six minutes of this game drastically differed from the final 42. The Green Wave had a few chances to score as Xavier Rodriguez had two longshots denied by Panther’s goalkeeper AJ Schwanenberger. Tommy Ontko also had a shot of his own saved. EC had a few chances, but HN goalkeeper Peter Rose did well to eliminate the danger. A timeout was called halfway through the first quarter. Little did the fans at 6000 Queens Highway know this would be the start of a scoring frenzy. Phoenix Heygi opened the scoring for Holy Name with just under five minutes to play in the first. Fellow hockey and lacrosse player Andrew Norris scored one of his own soon after. Finally, Rodriguez would cap off the first quarter by finding the back of the next on his third shot. Heading into the second, the Green and White led 3-0.
The second quarter saw Holy Name’s scoring continue to mount. Rodriguez and Heygi would complete their hat-tricks this frame. Norris added his second goal as well. He would go on to record an assist to give him three points on the night. Finally, Michael Rydzewski made the most of his opportunity and found the back of the net. The only Namer to be sent to the box in the first half was Aiden Butler as he was flagged for a hold. He still looks to settle into lacrosse by relying on the athleticism that has made him a threat on the basketball court and football field. Elyria Catholic had Cole Varndell and Charlie Grimes spend time in the box during the first quarter, but ended the half with six total visits from players. Andrew Post, Evan Row, and Varndell rounded out the trips as Post was flagged for a hold and slash on the same play. In the second half, EC only would make two trips to the box, both for slashing. Heading into the half, it was all Holy Name as they led 8-0.
The third quarter saw the emergence of Geoffrey Byrd for the Green Wave. He scored two goals in the first 2:57 after the halftime break to extend HN’s lead to 10-0. Heygi added another goal to his tally this frame. Heading into the fourth, HN led 12-0. Elyria Catholic would go onto score two goals as Post and Varndell each slotted one home. However, the most impressive play for the Panthers came in the form of hustle. On a loose ground ball, Landon Wilson sprinted to the Green Wave sideline and barely kept the ball in play. This effort led to him finding Post for EC’s first goal. For his troubles, Wilson was awarded an assist. A well earned one at that.
With around eight minutes left to play in regulation, Holy Name defender JJ Burrell went down with an apparent right knee injury. He along with Charlie Margiosion and Matthew Rydzewski formed an elite tandem on the defensive line. The initial look at the injury was not promising, but some good news came after the game as Burrell told me,
“It’s [Right Knee] a little numb and it kind of hurts. I think I can put weight on it, but I don’t think it’s that bad. I’ll be back.”
Burrell is one tough kid and I fully expect him to be back soon if cleared. Either way, he along with his fellow defenders proved many doubters wrong as they showed just how much talent they have. They have a win to show for their efforts as the Green and White closed things out 12-2.
Holy Name will take on Lakewood Wednesday evening before they begin a road trip for most of April. Elyria Catholic will travel to St Vincent St Mary Wednesday night as they look to get back to .500.
Elyria Catholic Key Players
#0 Cole Varndell: 1 Goal
#14 AJ Schwanenberger: 8 Saves
#16 Landon Wilson: 1 Assist (Hustle Assist)
Holy Name Key Players
#1 Peter Rose: 16 Saves
#4 Xavier Rodriguez: 3 Goals, 3 Assists, 6 Points
#11 Phoenix Heygi: 4 Goals, 2 Assists, 6 Points
Players of the Game: Xavier Rodriguez and Phoenix Heygi
