The Hall High School boys lacrosse team hosted Brien McMahon High School of Norwalk on Thursday.

Bode Smith of Hall gets off a shot on goal while surrounded by McMahon defenders. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer

The start of Thursday’s boys lacrosse game could not have gone any better for the Hall Titans. Four goals, two within :05 of each other, and they had the McMahon seniors reeling.

But Hall could not maintain the momentum and McMahon responded and got the win when Jake Luthy’s shot in overtime deflected off a Hall defender and into the net for the 11-10 road win.

It was a game of streaks – good and bad – for both teams. The host Titans got on the board first when Blake Bouly scored on Hall’s first good attack 5:06 into the first. Hudson Hollander would follow about one minute later with a goal from 35 yards out. Grant Kanaga would score cutting to the net on a Bode Smith pass, and five seconds later it was Vince Sullivan making it 4-0 when Hall rushed the faceoff win on the attack.

Grant Kanaga of Hall is marked by McMahon’s Peter Hussey. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

McMahon would score twice before the end of the opening period, but Sullivan (three goals) and Kanaga (three goals) would get Hall a two-goal lead 58 seconds into the second period. Connor Russell would make it 7-2 for the Titans with 10:04 to play in the second period.

That would be the last goal for Titans for nearly 21 minutes over the second and third periods. The Senators would run off four straight goals – despite some big saves by Hall goalie CJ Cohen – and the score was 7-6 at the break with McMahon holding the momentum.

“It was a game of runs,” said Hall coach Jerimee Moses. “I just wish we would have stopped their run earlier.” Kanaga and Sullivan led the Hall firs- half scoring with two goals each while Ted Luthy and Jake Luthy combined for four of McMahon’s tallies.

Hall’s Bode Smith gets ths shot off ahead of a defender in Thursday’s overtime loss to McMahon. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Holding the one-goal lead entering the final two periods, Hall had some good possessions and good scoring chances but Senators’ goalie Robert Gatt found his game with three early saves. Halfway into the third Gatt was called for slashing and had to be replaced for his penalty by freshman Luke Boyle, who was not even dressed to play.

Hall had possession and the opportunity but managed only one shot on goal that ended up on Boyle’s webbing before the penalty ended. Moments later tempers flared when Hall’s Max Jewett delivered a big hit along the sidelines and players from both teams gathered around before separating. The only goal of the third would come with just 36 seconds to play when Sullivan scored his third off the crossbar to end a long Titans’ possession, and ending the Hall drought.

Officials separate players from Hall and Brien McMahon after a big hit in Thursday’s game caused tempers to flare. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

McMahon would open the scoring in the final 12 minutes when Max Makover took a big hit and let go a shot as he was falling that found the back of the net and the score was 8-7 Hall. Kanaga and Smith would score on either side of a McMahon goal.

With a 2-goal lead late in the fourth, Hall had a golden chance to put the game away. Gatt carried the ball up the field for McMahon before turning it over leaving his net empty. As Hall gained possession and passed the ball, Gatt sprinted back into his crease in time to stop a Hall shot.

With under 4:00 to play, Cameron Miller cut the Hall lead to 10-9. As the clock wound down, Hall looked to run possession and run the clock down. With his team holding the ball in the attacking zone, Mosses raced down the sideline calling for a timeout. But when the referee blew his whistle it was for a violation  against Hall, as the referee said he never heard Moses or his players calling for time out. McMahon took possession and with 39 seconds to play they tied things at 10.

Bode Smith (center) of Hall is congratulated by teammate Thomas Finlay after scoring against Brien McMahon. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

In overtime, McMahon won the opening faceoff and took it into the offensive zone before calling a timeout. After the restart, Jake Louthy got possession and fired a shot at Cohen’s goal. It deflected off the body of a defender into the net and the Senators’ bench emptied onto the field in celebration.

With the loss, Hall falls to 1-4 on the season, but Moses says he sees his team doing many of the things they need to do to win. “I told them after the game that  the hardest thing to achieve is consistency. We have some really good moments, and just need to do a better job of managing the other teams’ runs,” said the second-year head coach. 

Vincent Sullivan of Hall absorbs the check from a McMahon defender. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Hudson Hollander gets a boost from teammate Blake Bouley after Hollander’s first period goal. Hall vs. McMahon boys lacrosse. April 20, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

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