Four wins.
Mattituck/Greenport/Southold boys lacrosse had four wins last year.
So when the Tuckers jumped out to a 9-1 record in a brand new league, they began to feel indomitable. But Babylon, playing on their home turf under the lights Friday night, showed them otherwise.
The Panthers (10-0 League IV) came out with an intensity that no other team in the league has. Bodies were on the ground longer than the actual ball. A physical defense paired with an aggressive, rapid offense rattled off 11 of the first 14 goals leading to a 13-6 victory over the Tuckers.
The Tuckers (9-2 League IV) took a half of play to understand that a passive style of play is no match for the counter attack of Babylon. The only way to beat Babylon is to play aggressive and a tougher bunch of dudes came out to play in the second half.
They only surrendered three goals and played to Babylon’s level if not better.
“We were playing not to lose in the first half,” head coach John Amato said. “When we turned up in the second half, you tell the difference.”
The Tuckers caused takeaways in the second half, something that seemed one sided in the second quarter. They forced the action. Three goals compliments of Timmy Schmidt. Jack DiGregorio scored twice.
“If I had a key to that switch to where they play great all the time especially when we step on the big stage,” Amato said. “That’s where they seem to run into trouble. Run into a wall in their own head.”
“There were like ‘Let’s go, It’s our time, we’re ready’ and I’m like we’re already down 10-3,” Amato continued.
If the game started in the second half, and they used the first half as a warmup, they win the game flat out.
The Tuckers became the aggressors.
Here’s a weird stat you don’t see in many losses: The Tuckers’ Dylan Marlborough won 15 out of the 20 face-offs. With those numbers, success is an aggressive set away.
Perhaps another chance at the Panthers will come in the playoffs. But until then, the Tuckers will travel to Hampton Bays on Tuesday for the season finale.
“We have key guys,” Amato said. “But they can only do so much when the teams are keying in on them. We need others to step up and I know they can do it.”
