In a tightly contested game, it's the little things that put you over the top. And in the boys lacrosse game between Glenelg and Marriotts Ridge on March 24, that held true in the Gladiators 9-6 road win.
Tied 5-5 at halftime and with almost double-digit penalties in the game, Glenelg made up for it by dominating the faceoff circle and winning most of the 50-50 balls on the ground, especially in the second half.
"Time of possession, they dominated that in the second half, and they just finished," said Mustangs coach Tony Incontrera. "They were able to dominate possession in the second half because they were getting the ground balls and we weren't. Ground balls was something that really allowed them to break it open in the third quarter."
Glenelg junior midfielder Brett Wasson scored three goals in the game, including two in the first 2 minutes, 15 seconds of the second half, to push give the Gladiators a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"Brett might be the most technical shooter I've had here," said Glenelg coach Josh Hatmaker. "He finished, but we found him (in the third quarter). ... I thought he left a couple on the field which he won't do next time."
Marriotts Ridge got on the board within the first minute of the game when senior Patrick Clipp scored his first of four goals, but the Gladiators answered with three goals to close the quarter.
"I thought Pat Clipp shot the ball really well. He shoots really hard," Hatmaker said.
Glenelg was called for a two-minute unreleasable penalty for a hit to the head early in the second stanza, but Marriotts Ridge failed to capitalize. When they did score soon after the penalty expired, Glenelg's Alex Frith, who won 10 faceoffs in the game, answered by winning the ensuring draw and scoring 10 seconds later to give them a 4-2 lead.
Marriotts Ridge, however, scored three of the next four goals to close the half and tie it at 5-5.
The Gladiators halftime adjustments, however, proved to work as Wasson scored his two quick goals, and the defense shut down the Mustangs offense the rest of the way.
Marriotts Ridge failed to capitalize on the numerous Glenelg penalties, even though Incontrera says they got the looks they wanted.
"I just think our shooting needs to improve," he said.
Hatmaker was disappointed in the amount of penalties, and said it's something he knows his team needs to work on in order to be successful.
"It killed us. We will be talking about that. There are penalties that are hustle plays, and some that are bonehead plays. The bonehead ones, like the unreleasable's ... we can't have those," Hatmaker said. "I thought man down we did OK. ... Penalties will be a point of emphasis."
Glenelg (1-0) 9, Marriotts Ridge (0-1) 6
Goals – G: Wasson 3, Forrest 2, Marshall 1, Coppinger 1, Firth 1, Burford 1; MR: Clipp 4, Hendershot 1, Hensh 1
Assists – G: Wasson 2, Rigali 1, Forrest 1, Marshall 1, Coppinger 1; MR: Hendershot 2, Clipp 1
Saves – G: Hopkins 7; MR: Scarpaci 5
Half – 5-5 tie
Other scores:
Mt. Hebron (1-0) 18, Long Reach (1-3) 1
Goals – MH: Mackrell 5, Watts 3, S. Brookhart 3, Sutton 2, Demek 2, Edmondson 1, Koung 1, Pickard 1
Assists – MH: S. Brookhart 3, Mackrell 1, Holzman 1, Sutton 1, B. Brookhart 1, Watts 1, Demek 1, LR: Valenza 1
Saves – MH: Dubois 9, Tymann 1, LR: Valenza 15
Half – 11-1 MH
Centennial (1-0) 7, Oakland Mills (1-1) 1
Goals – C: Moore 3, Clay 2, Wilson 1, Fochios 1
Assists – C: DeCarlo 2, Wilson 1, Clay 1, Fochios 1
Saves – C: Simpson 12
Half – 4-1 C
River Hill (1-1) 9, Atholton (1-1) 7
Goals – RH: McEneaney 5, Beard 3, Isaac 1
Assists – RH: McEneaney 2, Friedman 2, Beard 1
Saves – RH: Khademi 11
Reservoir (1-0) 8, Wilde Lake (1-2) 2