By: Kevin S. Clancy, Beat Writer Boston Cannons
Lacrosse is Awesome
Opening the season against the newest team in the MLL the Atlanta Blaze (0-2), and playing to a crowded Harvard Stadium full of screaming New England youth lacrosse teams and fans from New Hampshire to Falmouth, Boston Cannons (1-1) Will Manny excited the fans by scoring in the first minute fed by David Emala. Six points from Max Seibald and three goals by Will Manny paved the way to a 13-12 win over the Blaze in the Cannon’s first home game this year.
“The win tonight was 100% a team win. The players worked hard to improve and grow off of the loss in Charlotte. They executed the game-plan and grinded for a 60 full minutes,” said new head coach Sean Quirk following his first win with the Cannons.
After Manny opened the scoring, Ryan Tucker got revenge on his former team to knot the score at 1-1. Max Seibald was next to strike for the Cannons, scoring his first of five goals during the contest. Kevin Rice of Atlanta advanced the momentum for the Blaze through the late part of the first quarter with two goals. Siebald kept the Cannons close as the first period of play ended 4-2 Blaze.
Despite the Cannons putting up five goals in the second quarter, four from Seibald (two-point goal after a key face-off win by Craig Bunker included) and one from Emala, the Blaze led 8-7 at the half thanks to a vicious four-goal run. Boston guns Manny and Emala were double teamed by the Blaze defense during most of the first half; Seibald continued to hammer the Blaze. Both defenses caused turnovers midfield including a turnover from Atlanta’s goalie Adam Ghitelman past midfield but the Cannons promptly lost the groundball looking at an open net. The Cannons would have to come from behind.
Down but not out, the Cannons came back re-energized in the third refusing to go down without a fight. The Cannons defense now warmed up on this 45 degree night stymied the Atlanta offense come the third quarter. Atlanta was held to just a lone goal compared to the five goals that Boston put up.
Wells Stanwick scored twice during the third quarter to help push the Cannons ahead once and for all. Manny; Michael Begley; and Brent Adams followed the scoring act. Emala flew from behind the crease jumping one handed making it 12-9 with four minutes to go in the third.
Despite Atlanta’s three goals in the fourth quarter, the Cannons held their own and pulled off the win. Goalie Tyler Fiorito made 10 saves in the victory. Boston’s face-off specialists were also a very strong element of the game. Craig Bunker went 18-23 at the face-off X and Joe Nardella was 20-28 in face-offs.
After the game, I went on the field to interview John Glesener #11 on the Cannon’s attack squad. 
John is a 2015 graduate of West Point and has selected Infantry as his specialty. He enters the Army Ranger’s program in July of this year. He played a great game keeping the pressure on Atlanta shooting three times and picking up a crucial ground ball bringing it quickly downfield. He echoed the couch’s comments about it being a great team win tonight. John thanks for your service. In the photo is Kevin S. Clancy with John Glesener.
The Cannons have a bye week next week before they hit the road to face the Chesapeake Bayhawks. The Boston Cannons will return to Harvard on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Rochester Rattlers.
Kevin S. Clancy, Beat Writer Boston Cannons
Lacrosse is Awesome