Paddle belongs to Casa Grande boys lacrosse team

The Casa Grande boys lacrosse team retained possession of the Paddle with a 20-11 win over Petaluma in a game that wasn’t as one-sided as the score indicates.|

In a game that was lopsided only on the scoreboard, the Casa Grande Gaucho boys lacrosse team completed a regular-season sweep of cross-town rival Petaluma with a 20-11 victory over the Trojans last week on Casa’s synthetic turf.

The game was not only a North Bay Lacrosse League contest, but also the “Battle for the Paddle,” symbolic of Petaluma River lacrosse superiority.

Casa claimed continued ownership of the paddle by completely dominating the second period on its way to a 14-2 halftime lead.

The first period was pretty much even, with Petaluma pressing the attack for much of the quarter, but Casa scoring early and holding a 4-2 advantage at the first break.

Everything changed in the second quarter. It all began with a penalty that sent Trojan leader Isaiah Blomgren to the sidelines for three minutes. Not only is Blomgren the veteran motor that makes the Trojan engine run, he is one of the best face-off players in the North Bay. When he was in the game, Petaluma was almost assured of posession on almost every face off. Without him, Casa Grande was able to have almost continuous possession.

And once in possession in that second period, the Gauchos were practically unstoppable, scoring almost at will.

Almost before anyone realized what was happening, Todd Evans, Ian McKissick, AJ Cole and Josh Garcia had pounded in 10 goals and turned the game into a seeming rout.

Overall, Garcia and McKissick each scored five goals, Evans added four, Cole and Brandon Keefer two each and Trevor Naugle and Peter Lantier one apiece.

Indicative of Casa Grande’s ability to administer its offense, the Gauchos had eight assists, with Lantier and Evans credited with three each.

Aiding in the Casa Grande assault was a ball-hunting Gaucho defense, sparked by team captain Keefer, who kept the Trojans at bay in front of man-mountain goalie Dylan Kortie, who had another outstanding game, making several saves that ranged from good to astonishing.

At the intermission, it looked as if it was time to pack up and call it a night.

Fortunately, that was not in the Trojan game plan.

Petaluma opened the third period with a renewed energy. Dominic Butts scored the second half’s first goal, and the Trojans just kept charging, with Issac Lynch, Butts and Benny Spaletta quickly adding goals during a four-goal unanswered spurt that got the Gauchos’ attention.

It was Naugle who snapped the Petaluma run with a Gaucho-timely goal that helped right the Casa ship. What made the goal even more impressive was that Naugle was playing essentially with one arm. After being injured in the first half, his right arm was taped so tightly as to be almost immobile.

“He was our most valuable player,” Casa Grande coach Ben Hewitt said. “He inspired us when he came out and played as well as he did with that arm hurting him.”

Sparked by the ball-controlling dashes of Spaletta and the consistent pressure of Blomgren, the Trojans outscored the Gauchos, 9-6, in the second half.

For the game, Butts scored four goals, Lynch three, Blomgren two and Spaletta and Luca Dibono one each.

The second-half comeback was encouraging for Petaluma coach Kevin Louchis as he looks forward to the playoffs.

“In the second half we had solid execution,” he said. “We showed a lot of needed toughness. I’m excited about the playoffs. I really think we can play with anyone.”

Hewitt also was happy with the Gauchos’ play. “The kids played with a lot of heart,” he said. “They came out and made a run at us in the second half, but we were able to hold them off.”

Some of the excitement of the game was dulled by a number of injuries, including an apparently serious hip injury to Petaluma junior Dibono.

“It makes me sick,” said Louchis. “He works so hard, and really wants to play.”

“We are happy to win, but it is hard with Luca getting hurt. He is a good young man,” said Hewitt.

Casa Grande is now 14-4 and atop the North Bay Lacrosse League standings with an 8-0 record. Petaluma is 4-4 in third place in league.

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