Warriors Fall to Orange in Season Opener

Box Score

Mar. 2, 2010

Warriors Score Three in First Game Ever

In the season opener for both teams, and the inaugural game for the Webb High School lacrosse team, the Panthers of visiting Orange High School prevailed, 8-3.  The wet and freezing conditions could not keep Orange from taking home the win in this historic game for the men in Black and Red.The game was a match-up of two teams, so to speak, for the first three quarters: the OHS offense vs. the WHS defense.  The Panthers were only able to take a two goal (2-0) lead into halftime due to the hard-nosed physical play of Webb’s close defenders and long stick and defensive midfielders.  When the Panthers did manage to get a shot off, freshman goalie Christian Tilley was up to the task to make the save.

The Panthers managed to grab hold of a 6 goal lead by the end of the third, using several unsettled situations and fast breaks to ignite their offense and score the ultimate game deciding goals.  In the fourth, it was all Webb, however, as the Warriors scored their first goals of the program’s young history.  Junior attacker Matt Knott, with the Warriors up a man for an illegal stick penalty called against the Panthers due to a pocket being too deep, ran off the pick of senior midfielder Michka Olhasque and took a pass from sophomore midfielder Matt Roach and buried the first goal in Webb’s history.  Minutes later, fellow classmate attacker Gibson Gillespie drove to the cage unassisted and put a shot in to make it 6-2 Orange.  Landon Williams rounded out the scoring for Webb with an unassisted ripper before the Panthers were able to add two more to their total.

“What a great first game!  I am proud of the way our players came out tonight with intensity, effort, and aggressiveness,” said Coach David Farabee.  “Although we lost 8-3, our game with Orange High School was extremely competitive throughout.  Getting goals from Matt Knott, Gibson Gillespie, and Landon Williams was a huge lift to our confidence.  You could just see us begin to play with more passion.  Our defensive effort was again outstanding.  Christian Tilley played strong in goal with 16 saves, and our close defense (Tyler Eller, Holden Jones, Zach Barnes, and Rufus Terry) was physical and continues to improve.  This was a great start to our season.”

Orange improves to 1-0 to start the season, while the Warriors fall to 0-1.  The Black and Red take the field again this Thursday, March 4th, against visiting Northwood High School.  Game time is 5:30 pm.  Come out and support our Warriors against the Chargers!