By Bradley Schlegel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/2/15
Eric Haab’s goal with less than six minutes remaining lifted Episcopal Academy to an 11-10 non-league victory today over St. Anthony’s (N.Y.).
The goal capped a three-goal flurry and snapped a 10-10 tie for the host Churchmen (5-1, ranked second by Phillylacrosse.com and seventh in the Epoch Lacrosse North America Rankings).
“That was Eric Haab doing what he does best,” said Andy Hayes, Episcopal Academy’s head coach. “He is one of our premier goal scorers.”
Positioned to the right of the opposing goal cage, Haab utilized an inside roll to beat the defender and fire the game-winning shot past Friars (1-1, ranked No. 10) goalkeeper Billy Senicola.
“I like to be sneaky around the cage,” said Haab, a junior, who scored twice. “That is one of my favorite moves, and I practice it plenty.”
Curtis Zappala scored a team-high three goals and two assists for the Churchmen. Jake Martellucci finished with two goals and an assist, while Chris Freedman added two goals.
Goalkeeper Colin Reder preserved the victory by stopping a shot by St. Anthony’s Brandon Homire with 20 seconds remaining.
“Colin made a great save,” Haab said of Reder, who finished with eight saves. “He kept bailing us out.”
Jared Nugent, Michael Laviano and Joseph Licciardi each scored twice for the Friars.
Homrie’s goal midway through the fourth quarter staked St. Anthony’s to a 10-8 lead.
However, the Churchmen rallied for three goals in less than two minutes. Zappala registered an unassisted goal with 7:44 remaining, then set up Martellucci for the game-tying goal 40 seconds later. Haab put them ahead for good with his man-up goal with 5:22 remaining.
“This is the way we’ve been playing all year,” said Hayes, whose team opens its Inter-Ac League schedule Tuesday on the road against the nation’s top-ranked team, Haverford School. “We’ve got a good group of guys with a great attitude.
“When we play fast, we are tough to beat. We don’t want to slow down for any reason.”
Christian Feliziani again was a major key for EA, winning 18 of 25 face-offs.
Friars head coach Keith Wieczorek lauded Episcopal Academy’s performance down the stretch.
“They did a good job finishing out the game,” Wieczorek said. “They are very talented and well coached. We knew they would be tough to beat.”
Episcopal Academy 11, St. Anthony’s 10
St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) 3 4 2 1 — 10
Episcopal Academy 5 1 2 3 — 11
St. Anthony’s (N.Y.): Jared Nugent 2g, Michael Laviano 2g, Joseph Licciardi 2g, 1a; Eamon Campbell 1g, 2a; Billy Sledge 1g, Connor O’Reilly 1g, Brendan Homire 1g.
Episcopal Academy: Curtis Zappala 3g, 2a; Jake Martellucci 2g, 1a; Eric Haab 2g; Chris Freedman 2g; Tyler Will 1g, 1a; Brandon Kopen 1g; Ben Valdez 1a. Christian Feliziani 18 of 25 FO.
Saves
St. Anthony’s (N.Y.): Joseph McGuigan 7, William Senicola, Jr. 3.
Episcopal Academy: Colin Reder 8.
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