Novi JV Lacrosse buries Walled Lake Northern 9-0

Novi’s JV Lacrosse team hosted the Knights of Walled Lake Northern this week and returned to its season tradition of handing its opponents shut outs. The final score was 9-0, Novi. The Wildcats dominated the game, start to finish.

Tim Kolis opened the scoring in the first goal attempt, assisted by Alex Ghannam. Moments later, Trevor Patterson stepped up with another point, with help from Eric Santure, setting the score at 2-0.

At the end of the first period, Brandon Juodikis recovered the ball in a stunning play and swung immediately for a long goal shot. The Knights’ goalie had the misfortune to be out of the net, and Juodikis’ play was good, bringing the score to 3-0.

In the second quarter, Novi’s offense settled into its game and delivered 4 points back to back. The first play was a dramatic relay from Santure to Alec Lemieux, who put it between the pipes. Lemieux wasn’t finished though, and also took credit for the next point, ably assisted by Juodikis.

Juodikis assisted the next two scoring plays as well, making it possible for Alex Ghannam and Greg Kolis to put points on the board. Novi entered the half well in control, with a score of 7-0.

The Knights showed solid passing ability, but just couldn’t put any points on the board. Novi’s defense stood tough, and any shots on goal they did attempt were either wide, or stopped cold by Novi Goalie Dan Burris. During the second and third quarters, the Knights’ defense worked over time, but to little avail.

In the latter part of the game, to push the score to 8-0, Tim Kolis passed to Santure who was right at the net, and able to slap a short shot past the goalie.

In the final period of play, Steve Lazurus stepped in with a shot that pushed the Wildcats to a final score of 9-0.

Novi JV LAX falls in OT to Saline Hornets 5-4

Novi’s JV Lacrosse team traveled to the hive of the Saline Hornets last week, and suffered a last minute sting, when Saline bested the Wildcats at 5-4 in overtime play.

In early play, Dan Burris stopped several Saline shots, but Novi’s defense failed to deliver its best game, allowing Saline two critical goals in the first period.

Scoring by Saline seemed to mobilize the Wildcats, who kicked up their offensive and defensive games in the second quarter. Key goal attempts by Novi were held off by Saline, though the Wildcats saw Justin Purdy deliver a great intercept; and benefited from Joe Mikkelson’s smooth scoop and transfer in a sideline play. In the final minute of play, Tim Kolis twice slammed the ball to the net, but both attempts were stopped mid-air by the Hornet goalie. The quarter ended 2-0, Saline.

In the third quarter, Novi powered up, and the Wildcats finally put a point on the board as Paul Wizinsky completed a fast relay to David Sparling who completed the goal. With eight minutes remaining, Novi scored again, as Alec Lemieux assisted from behind the net to position Trevor Patterson for a goal. With the score at 2 all, each team sharpened its game, looking for another scoring opportunity.

Saline finally sneaked a shot past Burris, pushing the score to 3-2; but there was still trouble brewing for the Hornets. In succeeding play, there was a scrum inside the crease, and Brandon Juodikis pushed the ball toward the goal line. Unaware of the ball’s location, the Saline goalie bumped it into his own net, and locked up another Novi goal for a new score of 3-3. Play got rougher by the moment, as the teams struggled for control. In highlights, one Saline player survived a “Zach Attack” but stood up to find his lacrosse stick noticeably bent; and Novi fans howled to hear the referee pass off a Saline foul as “just part of the melee.”

Novi didn’t quit, tho, and Tyler Burnett put another one in the net with only 24 seconds left in the third quarter, closing out the period at 4-3, Novi.

When play resumed, it seemed Novi was going to hold Saline scoreless, but with 37 seconds left on the clock Saline put the pressure on. At 15 seconds, Saline made a final crisis play for a goal, tying the game at 4-4.

Lacrosse rules permit a 4 minute overtime, first scorer to win – so cheering fans for both teams were on their feet for the final moments. Novi controlled play after the face off, but early scoring attempts failed, and Saline regained control of the ball. About half way through OT play, the Hornets bounced one into the net, for a win by Saline at 5-4.