Colts Rally Past Hewlett to Win Lacrosse Thriller in Overtime

"It's part of our secret plan," quipped Calhoun boys lacrosse coach Don Fleming after breaking huddle, "to go scoreless in the first half."

Turns out he wasn't kidding.

After trailing 4-0 in a listless early effort, junior midfielder Joey McGinley snatched a loose ball from the top of the box and slung an off balance game-tying goal with 34 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime against the host Hewlett Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Paul Grubb made sure McGinley's effort wasn't wasted when he took the first possession of the sudden death period, dodged two defenders and found the top right corner of the net from 20 yards out to finish the thrilling comeback and lift Calhoun to the 7-6 win.

"Just a big, big win," said Grubb once he dug out from under the Calhoun celebration pile. "It really lifts our team. They're (Hewlett) ranked ahead of us and this really helps us heading toward the playoffs."

The playoffs had to be the last thing on Calhoun's mind after the first two quarters. A basic lack of fundamentals, unforced errors and poor ball security left the Colts scratching their heads - and hanging them.

But Grubb must have sensed a crack in Hewlett's armor. The lanky southpaw at the heart of the Calhoun offense refused to give in or let his teammates give up.

"Don't hang your heads!" Grubb screamed heading into the third quarter. "We're still in this. They're not going to give it to us. We have to take it."

Fleming didn't get as heated as his all-county captain. He simply stuck to his message.

"We need to keep it simple. Take care of the ball and finish," he calmly told his players. The steady, fundamental approach worked.

With 4:30 remaining in the third quarter Calhoun junior attackman Charlie Isham (2 goals) broke through from close range, taking a feed from McGinley (1 goal, 2 assists) and finally putting Calhoun on the board. Grubb then scored the first of his three goals at 2:56 remaining to pull Calhoun within three at 5-2.

Behind a "bend don't break" defense, Calhoun senior goaltender Kevin MacBride (10 saves) made a tough stop in traffic at the whistle to end the third quarter and keep Calhoun within striking distance.

Hewlett goaltender Brandon Israel (10 saves) turned away an increasingly aggressive Calhoun offense through most of the fourth period. Hewlett then scored off a loose ball with 7:26 left in regulation to push the margin to 6-3.

The bigger, stronger Hewlett defense ("They're a very good team defensively," said Fleming before the game) killed five penalties throughout the contest; and when Calhoun came up short on their final man advantage with 4:28 remaining, the game seemed to be decided.

But Isham wasn't finished. He scooped up a loose ball near the Hewlett crease and snuck a quick shot past Israel to pull Calhoun within two at 6-4. Grubb then took control, breaking down his man from the top of the box with a series of quick moves and deft stick handling, firing a top shelf screamer past Israel to pull Calhoun within one with 1:25 remaining.

With momentum on their side, Calhoun never looked back.

Once McGinley tied the game with his acrobatic strike, senior midfielder Patrick Greene won the most important face-off of the afternoon to start the extra frame, and Grubb's heroics capped off an incredible final 10 minutes of Colts lacrosse.

Through it all, Fleming never wavered.

"Great game, very exciting stuff," he said, barely smiling from behind his shades as he walked off the field victorious.

Keeping it simple? Maybe. Keeping it interesting? Definitely.