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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.
| Denver East ......3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
- |
10 |
|
| Arapahoe ......3 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
- |
9 |
|
|
