Boys Lacrosse: Dublin Coffman edges Hilliard Davidson as clock winds down in opener
Thursday, March 28, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Dublin Coffman’s Kyle Taylor (22) looks to shoot as he heads to the goal against Hilliard Davidson at Coffman March 28. Photo: Kevin Lam
Kyle Taylor was wasting time before his game-winning goal on March 28. It’s counterintuitive to bleed the clock in a tie game, but the senior midfielder had a pretty good reason.
The Dublin Coffman boys lacrosse team had just allowed Hilliard Davidson to score six consecutive goals to tie the game.
But when Taylor saw his opening, he made good on the game-winner to give the Shamrocks a 9-8 win over the Wildcats to open OCC-Central Division play on March 28 at Coffman.
“I was running out the clock,” said Taylor, who scored with 1 minute, 24 seconds remaining in regulation. “I just kind of took my man inside and then came back out and put it in. They went on a big run, so we had to give our defense a break and possess the ball. We turned it over a couple of times, and it led to goals. So, I just wanted to give the defense a break.”
Hilliard Davidson’s Evan Hughes (19) celebrates a goal with his teammates during the Wildcats’ game at Dublin Coffman March 28. Photo: Kevin Lam
Taylor and Coffman coach Dan Warren discussed the strategy during a timeout late in the fourth quarter after Evan Hughes had tied the game for Davidson with 3:35 remaining.
“There’s a lot of time left (and) we don’t need to rush,” Coffman coach Dan Warren said. “If they’re not going to press us, let’s really take some time. We threw three or four skips from X and they all resulted in turnovers, so I wanted to avoid doing that. I told (Taylor) earlier in the game, ‘Whoever is on you, I like the matchup.’ So, he felt the same, waited it out and when he saw his moment, he took it.”
Taylor scored four goals and added an assist to lead Coffman (3-1, 1-0) and Ryder Lewis and Sean McCaffrey each scored twice.
Taylor’s third goal, which came with 8:00 left in the third quarter gave the Rocks an 8-2 lead.
Davidson’s Adam VanVoorhis was held scoreless until the 2:10 mark of the third when he ripped a shot in to make it 8-3.
Dublin Coffman’s Ryder Lewis shoots during the Shamrocks’ 9-8 win over Hilliard Davidson at Coffman March 28. Photo: Kevin lam
The Wildcats (3-2, 0-1) scored the next five goals. Hughes had three goals and VanVoorhis added two goals and an assist to lead the Wildcats.
Freshman Owen Shepherd had nine saves for the Rocks in place of Kris Manu, who was out with an ankle injury.
“I got a text at 2 o’clock that our senior, three-year starter couldn’t go,” Warren said. “So, I walked into his freshman English class and said, ‘Hey, you’re starting tonight.’ And he did a great job. He didn’t flinch.”
Vance Ames had 10 saves and Caden Wilson had four ground balls for the Wildcats.
“We showed a lot of fight,” Davidson coach David Ames said. “We’re a gritty team. We’re not a very smart team right now. We’ve got to learn from these mistakes. I’m impressed with our fight, but we put ourselves in a bad position to begin with.”
Hilliard Davidson’s Adam VanVoorhis attacks as Dublin Coffman’s Eli Losey defends during the Shamrocks’ home win March 28. Photo: Kevin Lam