Pride Outlast, Outscore Spartans In 17-14 Win
ASHBURN, VA - Wednesday night pitted the first place, undefeated Broad Run Spartans (11-0, 6-0 in the Dulles District) against the third place Heritage Pride (9-1, 6-1). Wednesday night was also senior night for the Spartans. The three seniors introduced were Eric Madigan, who signed with Sacred Heart University down in Fairfield, Connecticut. Connor Forman, and Robby Buckman, who signed with Bellarmine University, located in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Pride got off to a quick start with an unassisted goal in the first 23 seconds by Russell East. The glory was short-lived for the Pride as with 9:45 left in the first quarter, Connor Forman was able to score into a virtually open net after the goalie for the Pride, Tyler Barton, fell after saving a shot just seconds prior. Shortly after, Heritage's Cameron Carey scored to give the Pride the lead again with 8:04 left. The Pride continued their run when Chris Rossie scored with 7:10 left.
The Spartans brought the score to 3-2 on Connor Forman's second goal of the game assisted by Eric Madigan. The Spartans were able to spark a run of their own after a full field pass by Will Field led to a goal by Tim Sanders with 1:17 left in the first quarter to tie the score. An intense first quarter finally came to a close with the score tied at 3-3.
The Spartans struck first in the second quarter with 10:47 to go as Tim Sanders hit on his second goal of the night. The Pride quickly responded as Nik Smith scored with 10:25 left in the half. The Pride went on yet another two goal run as Dean Stambules scored for the Pride. The Spartans responded quickly as Forman struck a hat trick with 4:58 to go. The Pride did not back down as they responded with two quick goals, the first by Bryan McCarthy, then the second by Cameron Carey.
As the intensity of the game picked up, the Spartans' Eric Madigan scored, bringing the score to 7-6, in favor of the Pride. The Pride continued to prove better on the offensive side of the ball as Peter Walsh scored with 1:23 to go. The first half ended in excitement, as the clock expired when Spartan Connor Forman notched his fourth goal of the night to cut the Pride lead to 8-7
Heritage's Peter Walsh opened up the second half scoring with a goal with 10:51 remaining, bringing the score to 9-7. The Pride continued to pour it on as Bryan McCarthy scored with 9:02 left. The Spartans answered back with a goal from Nick Khouri with 7:00 to go. Chris Broderick and Dean Stambules then scored the next two goals to give Heritage a 12-8 lead with 5:24 remaining.
Heritage's Nick Cadwell got on the board with 3:23 to go, extending the Pride's lead to five goals. The third quarter ended with the Pride leading 13-8.
The Spartans started to cut into the lead in the fourth quarter. After a Pride goal by McCarthy, Forman of the Spartans connected on his fifth and sixth goals to bring the deficit down to four. However, the Pride were not denied of a victory Wednesday night, as they proved too tough offensively, and were the first team to take down the Spartans by a score of 17-14.
With the victory, the Pride are now in a three-way tie for first place in the Dulles District along with Broad Run and George Mason.
Chick-fil-A Players of The Game:
HERITAGE - Bryan McCarthy
McCarthy was able to put up four goals for the Pride to give Broad Run their first loss of the season. His leadership on the field proved crucial Wednesday as the Pride snagged possibly their biggest win in recent years.
BROAD RUN - Connor Forman
Forman proved very impressive for the Spartans, finishing the night with 8 goals. He has been among the best performers for the Spartans all year, and it showed with his ability to score and work the offense Wednesday night.
Heritage-17
Broad Run-14
Pride 10-1 (5-1 District Play) w/ Freedom (5/1) and Briar Woods (5/5) Remaining
Spartans 11-1 (6-1 District Play) w/ Potomac Falls (5/1) Remaining
Spartan Scoring
Eric Madigan-4 Goals
Connor Forman-7 Goals
Tim O'Kane and Andy Londos- 1 Assist each
Tim Sanders-2 Goals
Nick Khouri-1 Goal
#12-2 assists
#10- 1 goal
Pride Scoring
Bryan McCarthy- 3 goals, 4 assists
Peter Walsh and Dean Stambules-2 goals,2 assists each
Russell East- 3 goals, 1 assist
Chris Rossie, Chris Broderick and Nik Smith- 1 goal each
Nick Cadwell and Cameron Carey- 2 goals each
Pride Saves: Tyler Barton- 33
Penalties: Pride-4, Spartans-6
