Sports

Rye tops Tigers in opener

The area lacrosse season opened up on March 28, as two local squads hit the turf to kick off the 2017 campaign. Although Mamaroneck would drew first blood, it was ultimately Rye—in their first game under new head coach Steve Lennon—that would come away with the win, overcoming a slow start to top the Tigers 12-5.

For the Garnets, earning a win against a solid Mamaroneck team meant quite a bit in terms of gaining some big game confidence.

“Honestly, it felt like some sort of championship win; the guys were jumping around in the clubhouse and it was a big win for me, personally,” Lennon said. “But we told the guys, be happy today and then come back tomorrow ready to work.”

Rye’s Peter Chabot carries the ball towards the goal against the Tigers. Photos/Mike Smith
Rye’s Peter Chabot carries the ball towards the goal against the Tigers. Photos/Mike Smith

The two teams played a fairly even first half, which saw the Tigers heading into the third quarter with a 3-2 lead.

“Our game wasn’t what we were looking for in the first half. We weren’t clearing, we turned the ball over and we were giving them second chances,” Lennon said. “So at the half, we talked about coming out and playing our own game and not worrying about what [Mamaroneck] was trying to do.”

The message worked as Rye came to life in the second half, establishing a two-goal lead and then pulling off a 6-1 run to close the game and put the contest out of reach.

Both Billy Chabot and Teddy Aquilino had three goals and an assist for the Garnets, while Ryan Kirkpatrick and Will Hynson contributed two goals apiece. George Ross, who got the start in goal for Rye, finished with seven saves.

Billy Chabot fends off a defender at Rye High School. Chabot had three goals in a Rye win.
Billy Chabot fends off a defender at Rye High School. Chabot had three goals in a Rye win.

A big reason for Rye’s success, Lennon said, was the team’s increased tempo.

“Typically my systems have been a little bit slower, more focused on defense,” he said. “But we were able to push the pace in transition and that played a big role.”

The Tigers will be back in action on April 5 when they travel to Mahopac to take on the Indians, while the Garnets will host Pleasantville on March 30, after press time, before traveling to Somers to tangle with the Tuskers on Tuesday.

“I’ve always been taught that you have to adapt to what your team does well,” Lennon said. “We’re still learning the kids and their style, and if that’s what your team does well, that’s great, but we just have to talk about when it’s appropriate to push in order to control the game.”