Robur, Honor, Fraternitas

Angels survive in debut

By Brian Howell, Special To The News
March 26, 2004

LITTLETON - Denver East's boys lacrosse team finally made its debut Thursday, and the Angels made it a memorable one.

Ranked No. 3, Denver East gave up a three-goal lead in the final 3 minutes of regulation but recovered to defeat host Arapahoe 10-9 in double overtime Thursday afternoon at Littleton Public Stadium.

Hunter Combs scored his third goal with 1 minute, 12 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lift the Angels (1-0) to the win.

"I just saw an opening and went for it," Combs said.

The game was heated throughout, but tempers boiled over in the closing moments. Seconds before Combs' winning goal, the referee ordered Arapahoe starting defenseman Taylor Gunter off the field, saying Gunter was injured.

Gunter insisted he wasn't hurt, but the referee still sent him to the sideline. Arapahoe coach Brian Langtry was irate when he didn't get an explanation for the ruling, which forced the Warriors (1-2) to defend Denver East's final attack without one of its top players.

Gunter was on the sideline when Combs scored, and Langtry unleashed a tongue-lashing on the referee following the game. That drew a penalty, which could lead to a suspension.

"He can suspend me all he wants, but that guy has no business refing in this state," said Langtry, who also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of the first half.

The final controversy just added to what was an intense game.

Denver East led 9-6 with 3 minutes to play, but Arapahoe shifted its fast-break offense into gear. Jordan McHugh and Dan Nickell scored 15 seconds apart to pull Arapahoe within 9-8, and with 55 seconds to go in regulation Logan Bobzien tied the score.

Denver East regained its composure in overtime, though.

"We really just tried to calm down as a team (after giving up the 9-6 lead) and pull it together," Combs said. "We just had to focus and pull it together and get a goal."

Kevin Bush and Nickell each scored three goals for Arapahoe, while Bobzien added three assists and a goal. Goalie Peyton Tyrie stopped 14 shots. Stoffel, Mark Hild and Bailey Connor each scored twice for Denver East.

"There is obviously things we need to work on, but it's definitely a great start to our season," Denver East's Nik Stoffel said.