SECTION IV BOYS LACROSSE: THIRD QUARTER STRUGGLE COSTLY IN OWEGO LOSS (2024-04-24)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Union-Endicott scored six unanswered goals in the third quarter to defeat Owego, 11-6, in Section IV boys lacrosse action on a chilly Wednesday evening.

The River Hawks hung with their guests for the first half, trailing just 4-2 at the break.

Unfortunately for Owego, the Tigers scored early in the third period at 10:39, then followed with goals at 8:31, 5:14 and 4:52 to create an 8-2 advantage.

U-E tacked on two more goals in the final minute of the quarter, at 24 and five seconds, to build a 10-2 cushion.

“The third quarter really killed us,” coach Craig Nevins said. “We started making some impulsive mistakes on the field and we dug ourself a hole that was just tough to get out of.

“That has happened to us a handful of times this season, and we're starting to put the pieces together where we're not putting ourself in that hole, but unfortunately, it bit us tonight.”

The Tigers scored again just 42 seconds into the final stanza to make it an 11-2 game.

Owego remained persistent in the fourth quarter and got a goal from Brendan Schofield at 9:46 to ignite a four-goal surge.

Sawyer Prentiss tallied at 5:04, Schofield recorded another goal at 2:46 and Caleb Cole closed out the scoring with 1:10 remaining.

U-E never trailed, scoring the game’s initial goal at 8:34 of the first period. The Tigers made it 2-0 at 5:33 of the quarter.

The River Hawks notched their first score at 7:45 of the second period, but U-E scored at 5:06 and 3:49 for a 4-1 lead.

Garrett Phelps found the net with 50 seconds left in the half to make it a two-goal difference at the break.

U-E improved to 4-5, snapping a four-game skid in the process.

Despite the loss, Owego had some impressive performances.

“Sawyer Prentiss played a great game,” Nevins said. “Our defense really stepped up. We had our first-string goalie (Aiden Rhodes) pop out and move to defense tonight, and our second string goalie (Ryder Cronk) stepped up and really played a great game, so tonight was really a defensive win for us. That was great to see.”

Owego (3-8) hosts Oneonta Friday at 6:15 p.m.

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IN PHOTO 1: Owego’s Garrett Phelps. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.