Tuesday’s boys lacrosse game with Portland was supposed to be a home contest for the Bonny Eagle Scots. Due to the rain, though, the location was changed from Bonny Eagle to Fitzpatrick Stadium. Bonny Eagle played tough in this “home game,” but a staunch defense by the “visitors” was too much for the displaced Scots, who went home on the short end of a 15-3 score.

The first quarter featured hard hitting by both sides. Portland scored two times in the opening quarter and Bonny Eagle stayed on the attack, but the Portland defense was tough to penetrate. The Scots had great shot selection and passing, but Portland’s sophomore goalie, Jeremy Finney, was on his game, blocking everything that came his way, putting in a terrific performance.

Bonny Eagle junior Jesse Doehler (1g- 1a) said his team’s first-half play may have been affected by the recent rains, “We haven’t been able to play on a full-sized court,” he said. The team has had to practice in their gym and three games have been postponed this season.

In the second quarter Bonny Eagle kept battling and Matt Carr (1g) scored a goal with the assist by Doehler. Portland kept the pressure on and kept the ball in Bonny Eagle’s end of the field to end the half up 6-1.

“We rotated the ball well around the perimeter,” Bonny Eagle coach Nat Germond said. “We played the game we wanted to in the first half, but we had to play catch-up in the second half.” It showed when the Scots came out in the third quarter on the attack.

Bonny Eagle was very aggressive to begin the second half, attacking the Portland defense but coming up empty.

Portland took advantage of two penalties in the third quarter, scoring two man-up goals in quick succession. Portland scored a total of six times in the third against the weary Scots, who never gave in, still playing hard and hitting hard despite the 12-1 disadvantage at the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter Bonny Eagle stayed tough and aggressive against the Bulldogs, with Doehler and Carr each scoring unassisted goals. The Bulldogs put the game away, though, by scoring three more times to end it 15-3 in the falling rain.

Portland freshman K.R. Jurgelevich (2g-2a), said that playing at Fitzpatrick helped. “We were psyched for the home field,” he said.

Portland assistant coach, and K.R.’s father, Kirk Jurgelevich, said playing at Fitzpatrick makes for “easier groundballs.” Also, the coach quipped that “it was fun to play at home with away jerseys.” He said he is looking forward to the rest of the year, “the hardest half of our schedule is coming up.”

Bonny Eagle captain Matt Carr was upbeat despite the loss. “We were looking to score more but didn’t. We kept missing shots.” He also feels that Bonny Eagle has “some up-and-coming players” and the future looks good for the team. He is looking forward to the upcoming playoffs.

Coach Germond said that he hopes to get to see Portland in the playoffs and that this Portland team is tough. The Scots have a lot to look forward to with nine games left.

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