Pannell's 4 goals help Smithtown West win
Smithown West James Pannell comes around for a shot on goal against Sachem North in the Suffolk high school boys lacrosse game. (April 27, 2011) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It became a running of the Bulls. Sachem North had Smithtown West lassoed early on -- never corralled, but unable to stray much.
That is, until Smithtown West broke loose in the final minutes of its impressive 15-8 boys lacrosse victory over Sachem North Wednesday. The teams had entered the game with identical records in Division I.
James Pannell had four goals and two assists and Kyle Keenan added three goals and an assist. Ryan Joseph and Matt Schultz each scored three goals apiece to lead the Bulls (6-1).
But it wasn't until 2:40 left that Bulls coach Sean Keenan felt comfortable enough to sound, well, uncomfortable. With Smithtown West holding a 13-8 lead, though a man down, Joseph scooped a ground ball at midfield and drew a foul, eliciting Keenan's emphatic fist pump and a loud, guttural yelp.
"I was just really proud of my team; they were intense," was the coach's explanation.
His son and star attack, Kyle, elaborated: "I've been watching him on the sidelines since I was a little kid and he gets everyone pumped up."
Pannell capitalized on the turnover -- and the scream, perhaps -- and scored on an empty net with 2:03 remaining. Schultz's tally with 53 seconds left iced it.
"This is a huge win for us," Pannell said. "It's a big confidence-builder. Sachem North is one of the best teams in Suffolk. Beating these guys shows we can play with anybody in the county."
Pannell had scored two quick goals in the first quarter to put the Bulls ahead at 2-0. His first, at 9:43, and another 26 seconds later, following a series of spin moves and pivot fakes. "Once I see I've got the guy beat I'll stop, come back and pivot back and get the guy off-balance," the attack said.
Joseph's goal at 5:18 in the first quarter made it 4-0 before Dalton Crossan (three goals) answered for Sachem North (5-2). The Flaming Arrows rallied late in the second quarter and eventually pulled within 9-7 on Brandon Gamblin's goal at 11:20 of the third. But they'd get no closer. Goals by Frankie Reda and Keenan helped stave them off.
As did goalie Ryan Adler (11 saves) and the defense, which held Sachem North to a goal in each quarter, except a five-goal second.
"We had a lapse there, but we went in at halftime and got settled," defender Jordan Stevens said. "We played like a unit."
"It's also good when Kyle and James are killing it out there."
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
