Mike D’Antonio on the break. The Cox, D’Antonio and Randi sixth grade lacrosse team hosted the Titans under sun filled skies on Mother’s Day. Those who came out witnessed two determined teams motivated to deliver a gift to their moms. Newly positioned Ryan Fitzsimmons found himself a home on the crease. Ryan delivered the first blow of the game with 1 minute left in the first period. Brian Noonan posted some big saves giving up only one first half goal. Jake Galasso, Matt Slovensky and Tim Dooley controlled the defensive box delivering timely checks and coming up with a combined total of 20 ground balls. Dan McCallan let the visitors know they weren’t welcome with an early first quarter hit.

Dan McCallan clears the ball. Mike D’Antonio was all smiles back on midfield. Fellow middies James Raphael and Peter Lohrer swarmed ground balls to keep GC in the contest as the first half ended 1-1. Seconds into the second half, James Tarzian broke a Lynbrook clear and Fitzimmons finished with an unassisted tally. Thirty seconds later John Tarzian’s fast break found Fitsimmons open on the point who finished with a high bounce shot in the upper corner. The Titans answered quickly to bring the visitors within a goal. Garden City traded blows as Mike D’Antonio’s assist put the Rams up by two. A quick Lynbrook time out and two Titan goals in twenty seconds tied the game 4-4. A charged up Titan team came out smoking and added two more goals taking the lead 6-4 early in the fourth quarter. GC called time out and did a little soul searching. Midfielders Brandon Badget and Ed Schwendemann hustle set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Badget and Schwendemann’s ground balls allowed the Rams to call critical time outs and set up two scoring plays. Midway in the fourth period John Tarzian scored on the isolation play. Joe Horan and Christian Knock moved the ball smoothly behind the cage setting up some great Ram scoring opportunities. With 3 minutes left in the game Fitzsimmons isolation play behind the goal drew the double team. Ryan found John Tarzian on the crease who finished with a dart to the upper left corner of the net. GC continued to pound the opposition but couldn’t dent the net. A last second Lynbrook breakaway was stuffed by Frank McGoldrick (7 saves) to end the game tied 6-6. The boys played their best game to date demonstrating physical toughness and delivering a great mothers day gift. Go Rams Go.

John Tarzian rolls the cage.

Ed Schwendemann comes up with the ground ball.