Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, May 7, 2009
Dutchmen lacrosse riding a big wave, takes care of Shaker at home
By Jordan J. Michael
GUILDERLAND –– Dutchmen lacrosse has no problems beating Shaker during the regular season.
“We beat Shaker twice during the regular season last year, but we all know what happened in sectionals,” Guilderland Head Coach Sean McConaghy said of his team’s loss to the 13th-seeded Blue Bison in 2008. “This sport is full of surprises.”
The Dutch beat Shaker, 10 to 5, last Saturday, a sunny afternoon in Guilderland. The Dutchmen scored the first six goals of the contest and didn’t let the Blue Bison score until late in the first half.
“The defense doesn’t allow many inside shots,” said Christian DePersis, who had eight saves for Guilderland. “It makes it easier for me to keep my eyes on the ball.”
Rory Nunamacher wrapped around the Shaker goal and put it past Kenny O’Connor for the first goal of the game. O’Connor went on to stone E.J. Genzano two times in a row.
Nunamacher found an open Bryan Dyer for a quick shot and a 2-to-0 lead. Moments later, Travis Moore put one in the net for the Dutchmen off a pass from Paul Jones. Guilderland had a 3-to-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Nunamacher hit Genzano with a pass in front and he snuck it under the arm of O’Connor for the goal. Moore gave the Dutch a five-goal lead with a wicked high-to-low shot from the goalie’s right side.
Guilderland and Shaker had a little extra activity after a play and Genzano ended up with a roughing penalty. Coach McConaghy was clearly upset and Genzano sat for the rest of the half.
The Dutchmen’s spirits would be lifted after Nunamacher cashed in another goal from Matt Siracusa to increase the score, 6-0. The Blue Bison finally got on the board when Parker Armsby put one past DePersis.
Moore added a strange goal for Guilderland as the first half winded down. Nunamacher’s shot was originally blocked in front, but Moore golfed the ball past the goalie. The Dutch led, 7-1.
“Today’s play in the first half was the best team offense I’ve seen, maybe all year,” said Nunamacher after the game. “We made the extra pass, moved the ball quickly, and didn’t turn it over. The shots were well placed, too.”
“I was really impressed with the movement of the offense in the first half,” McConaghy said. “We had to play a lot more defense in the second half. We were kind of careless with the ball.”
Shaker couldn’t figure out the trick that is Nunamacher, as he scored again from a Dyer feed from behind the goal. The Blue Bison had goals from Armsby and Luke Walsh to close the Dutchmen lead to 8 to 3 as the third period ended.
Moore wrapped up the win for Guilderland after he picked up the ball, spun, and let lose another low-to-high laser that O’Connor had no chance on. Siracusa scored from Jones on a 6-on-4 man-up to finish the Dutch offense for the day.
The Blue Bison added two goals, making the loss not look so bad on paper. Guilderland moved to 8-1 in the Suburban Council and 11-1 overall.
Nunamacher had three goals and two assists and Moore had four goals. Siracusa and Dyer each had a goal and two assists.
“They’re one of my favorite teams to play,” said Nunamacher, who leads the Dutchmen offense with 49 points. “We always feel like we’ll beat them and come through.”
Guilderland has five regular-season games left, including two tough road contests at Niskayuna and Shenendehowa.
“We’ll be fine if we take care of our business every day,” said McConaghy. “We’re on a similar road as last year, but we have a lot more senior leadership this time. Our margins of victory have been wider. I expect much from this team and they usually deliver. That’s the reason behind winning.”