The TL vs. SR rivalry is the biggest and best rivalry in all of MCALs and it certainly lived up to the hype on Monday under the lights. After the first game between these two teams was cancelled due to the pools for both sides not being safe enough to play in, both teams were even more ready to play and excited. The Trojans hoped to capitalize on their 12-4 win over SR last year and make it 2 in a row against them.
The Trojans in the first quarter jumped out to a 3-0 lead, playing lights out defense and solid offense. The Trojans defense, still best in all of NCS with teams averaging just a meager 5.2 goals per game was definitely a point of pride for Senior Captain Ryan Corr. “We feel like our defense is so good, that it just paves the way for our offense and let’s us play at our pace”
The second quarter was even better for the Trojans, tacking on an additional 4 goals to solidify their lead and making it 7-0 at halftime. “Our first half was one of the best halfs I’ve seen us play this year” said junior Ethan Levinson. It certainly was for the Trojans, as the Bulldogs, who had just lost to MCAL powerhouse Drake by 2 the week before.
The second half was a different story as San Rafael stormed back and put up 4 goals on the Trojans, while the Trojans offense seemed to sputter a little, failing to put away some opportunities. “A point of emphasis for us this season was putting away the opportunities given to us, and when we can’t put them away we start to breakdown a little” said junior starter Jonah Albers. The Trojans did end up putting away 3 shots as the quarter ended with TL up 10-4.
The start of the fourth quarter didn’t seem to be any different as San Rafael put up 2 goals. The Trojans, though, didn’t want SR to get back in the game, as the Trojans put them away with 2 quick goals by Tiago Westlund making the score 12-6. The Trojans defense stifled the Bulldogs for the rest of the quarter and managed to come out with the rivalry win. On offense the TL was led by Tiago Westlund, who had 8 goals and Jack Irish, who had 5 assists. The Trojan’s strong defensive performance was led by Cole Parker, who had a team high 5 steals.
