Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
There was a shootout last night in Georgia and the New England Black Wolves (2-4) lost to the Georgia Swarm (5-1). Unlike the first meeting, the Black Wolves were leading for most of the game, but they could not hold back the high-powered Swarm offense to get the win. Fast paced offense dominated the game that saw a total of 32 goals. In a territory matchup aligning with last week’s Super Bowl, and a friendly wager between the teams, Georgia would get their revenge. Final Score: New England 15—Georgia 17.
The Black Wolves would get on the board first as Kyle Buchanan (2G, 1A) would score just 30 seconds into the game. Less than a minute later Shawn Evans (4G, 8A) would also find the back of the net. This was a welcome difference from the first matchup between these two teams. In that tilt, Georgia shut out New England in the first quarter. The Black Wolves confidence was apparent after a two-game win streak. Georgia would get on the board 4:36 into the game as Jordan MacIntosh (3G, 6A) would get an unassisted goal. Evans would answer. Diving from the side of the crease, he willed the ball past goalie Mike Poulin (9SV) for his second of the game. Lyle Thompson (4G, 6A) would score next for Georgia to cut the lead back to two. After throwing a dirty stick fake, he stepped left to the center of the field and let a laser fire past Evan Kirk (52SV). New England would then find a streak. Kevin Buchanan (3G, 4A) would net his first of the game. Kevin Crowley (5G, 3A) would follow with his first. Out of the under-five TV timeout, Crowley would back down his defender, create space and score his second in a row. Both of his goals came just 19 seconds apart. The three-goal streak would cause Mike Poulin to be pulled and replaced by Brodie MacDonald. He allowed six goals on fifteen shots in the first quarter and did not look himself. The first penalty of the game would allow Lyle Thompson to put in his second of the game and would be the last goal of the quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter would stand at New England 6 – Georgia 2.
The second quarter would see the teams go back and forth running up and down the floor with quick possessions. The scoring would also tradeoff for the first four goals of the quarter. Jerome Thompson (1G, 2A) would score first, then Crowley for the Black Wolves, John Ranagan (1G), and finally Evans. 6:34 into the second quarter and the three-goal lead was intact for New England. But then Georgia would put together a run…three goals in a row to even the score going into the half. Randy Staats (1G, 2A) would get his first of the game; Lyle Thompson; and Jordan MacIntosh. In one half of play, the players would have hat tricks, two for New England (Crowley, Evans) and one for Georgia (Lyle Thompson). Halftime Score: New England 8 – Georgia 8.
The second half opened with the same quick action as the first half. Neither team showed signs of tiring. It would take a few minutes for the scoring to start though. Jordan Hall (4G, 2A) would score 4:51 in, giving the Swarm their first lead of the night at 9-8. Evan Kirk would get a piece of the ball, but not enough as it bounced in. The lead was not long held as just over a minute later Chad Culp (1G, 1A) would tie the game up again with a similar shot. Brodie MacDonald (36SV) would get some but not all the ball only to watch it trickle in. Kevin Buchanan would score next to give the lead back to New England. The shorthanded goal was the product of a beautiful split of two defenders charging towards the crease. Miles Thompson (2G) would score the fourth and last goal of the fourth quarter on the power play to join his brothers in the goal column. At the end of three: New England 10—Georgia 10.
The stage was wet for a magical fourth quarter. Goal totals for each quarter had declined as the game went on. That pattern would not continue. Georgia would score the first three of the quarter, looking in control. Goals from Miles Thompson, Jordan McIntosh and Shayne Jackson (1G, 2A) would give Georgia their largest and most comfortable lead of the game at 13-10. New England was not ready to roll over and would stun the crowd with quite a run of their own, turning the three-goal deficit into a two-goal lead. Five in a row is tough to do, especially on the road, but New England made it happen. 
Shawn Evans assisted on three of the goals, and scored one flexing his superstar muscles. Not to be outdone, Crowley would assist on one and score two. The other two goals would come from Kyle and Kevin Buchanan. In just over four minutes of game time, New England regained the momentum. With 4:11 left, the improbable seemed highly possible. Georgia heard the call and answered. Jordan Hall would score two in a row to tie the game with 1:21 remaining. Then, he would score again to give Georgia the lead 16-15 just 14 seconds later. The Black Wolves would rally furiously, but could not beat MacDonald again. Lyle Thomson would find the net for the last goal of the game with 45 seconds left on the game clock. The two-goal lead was too much for the Black Wolves to overcome and Georgia would remain unbeaten at home. Final Score: New England 15—Georgia 17.
UP NEXT:
New England has a double-header against Buffalo next week. First up starting on the road against Buffalo on Friday, February 17 at Buffalo, 7:30 PM; and at home Sunday, February 19 in New England, 1:00 PM.
Georgia travels to Toronto Friday, February 17 at 7:30 PM
NOTABLE STATS:
This game had six hat tricks, three for each team. New England – Shawn Evans; Kevin Crowley; and Kevin Buchanan. Georgia – Lyle Thompson; Jordan Hall; and Jordan MacIntosh.
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome