Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
The New England Black Wolves (5-6) and Georgia Swarm (7-3) played Sunday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Georgia won the first two meetings this year, both in Georgia. New England was coming off of a big overtime win on the road in Toronto, and Georgia was coming off just their second loss this season in Calgary. Coming into Sunday, no team in the East had beaten the division leading Swarm. This day would start and end in New England’s favor. Before the game, Georgia coaches had to eat New England clam chowder, part of the friendly wager made between the two teams over the Super Bowl. Shawn Evans came off of the IR list, and led the Black Wolves to another big win. Final Score: New England—13 Georgia 8.
The first quarter was not typical for either team. Georgia has the highest scoring offense in the NLL, and usually starts games strong. New England has a record of getting off to quick starts at home. The last matchup between the two teams ended in a 17-15 Georgia win. Sunday’s first quarter only had three goals. The first was a transition goal for New England from Jay Thorimbert (2G). Catching the pass from Sheldon Burns (2A) he did not hesitate to fire on net and score on the stick side of Georgia goalie Mike Poulin. Former Black Wolves player Jordan Hall (1G, 2A), returning to Mohegan Sun Arena for the first time since being on the team last year, scored just a minute and a half later to tie the game. The next six minutes would be scoreless as both goaltenders made difficult saves and the defenses hounded the hands of the ball carriers. Johnny Powless (2G, 2A) would break the drought with the last goal of the quarter and 3:06 left on the clock. At the end of the first Georgia would lead New England, 2-1.
The second quarter was the action quarter. The slow start in the first clearly irked both teams. Shayne Jackson (3G, 3A) would score his first of the night with the extra attacker on the delayed penalty just 1:57 in to give the Swarm a two goal lead. At this moment, something clicked for New England and they would turn on the jets. Reilly O’Connor (2G) would get his first of the night after Shawn Evans (3G, 4A) gave him a beautiful feed on the crease. Just 19 seconds later, Kyle Buchanan (3G, 4A) would score to tie the game at three apiece. Georgia would get hit with a penalty, and Kyle Buchanan would score again to give the Black Wolves the lead. Five minutes into the second quarter, New England had turned a two goal deficit into a one goal lead, and they weren’t done. Another penalty on Georgia allowed O’Connor to get a good look for his second of the game. 7:01 into the second quarter and the Black Wolves led 5-3. Georgia would stop the run with a goal from Jackson and get back to within one. Evans would net the next goal to bring the lead back to two. His ankle was heavily taped, but did not seem to hinder his movement at all. 
Kiel Matisz (1G, 2A) would score for Georgia on the power-play, their only man-up goal in nine attempts on the night, with 3:51 remaining in the half. This would be the last time in the game where Georgia would be within one goal of New England. Kevin Crowley (3G, 3A) would score next and just under 30 second later Evans got his second of the game. At the end of the second quarter, New England would lead Georgia, 8-5.
The third quarter started much like the second, with Georgia striking first. John Ranagan (1G), another former Black Wolves player, would catch the outlet pass from goalie Mike Poulin and score just 1:45 in. Flashbacks to Georgia overcoming a three goal deficit in the last meeting came to mind, but the uneasiness would quickly be put to rest. The only team to score for the remainder of the frame would be New England. Evans; Thorimbert; and Kyle Buchanan would each notch one before the half way point of the third to extend the lead for New England 11-6. The second half of the quarter was a battle of goaltenders. Both Poulin and Kirk were stone walls and kept the offensive attack out of the net. At the end of three, New England would lead Georgia 11-6.
New England would strike first in the fourth. Kevin Crowley would be responsible for the goal just 1:44 in. Powless would answer just over 30 seconds later as Georgia tried to get a run together and get close. Crowley was having none of it, and scored on the power-play with 5:47 left in the game to get the lead back to six goals. At this point the lead was too much for Georgia. Jackson would get another to complete his hat trick, but the final score would be New England 13—Georgia 8.
NOTABLE THOUGHTS:
New England held Lyle Thompson without a goal, making this the first game he hasn’t scored in all season. In fact, none of the three Thompson brothers scored in the game, this also being a first since they all became members of the Swarm.
Georgia is still in first place in the East Division with a 7-3 record.
New England is holding down third place in the East.
UP NEXT:
New England hosts the Rochester Knighthawks (4-7) on Friday, March 17 at 7:30 PM. Georgia hosts the Calgary Roughnecks (4-7)Friday, March 17 at 7:30 PM.
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome