The Guilderland boys lacrosse team continued its winning ways by fending off Shenendehowa for a 9-8 Suburban Council victory Friday.
The Plainsmen erased a number of two-goal Dutchmen leads, but came up a goal short at the end when Nick Koss stopped John Olsen’s shot with his shin late in the fourth quarter.
He’s been taking shots like that all year long and he’s been playing great throughout them, Guilderland coach Sean McConaghy said of Koss.
The Dutchmen (9-4 overall, 8-1 league) have won nine league games in a row including a 6-5 victory over rival Niskayuna.
`We just want to keep it going. This was a great league win for us. Anytime you can beat Shen at any sport, it’s a big thing. They fought hard and never gave up, and I’m definitely proud of them tonight,` McConaghy said.
Shen (4-9, 3-7) opened up the scoring with the only goal in the first quarter on a shot by Greg Hitchko. Guilderland then took a 3-1 lead on second quarter goals by Chris Conway ` who finished with three goals ` and Aaron Cahill. The Plainsmen rallied late in the quarter and pulled to within a goal on Kevin Bloss’ tally with 58 seconds left.
Guilderland built an 8-5 lead in the fourth quarter before Shen answered. Adam Hitchko and junior Jesse Elliot tallied 48 seconds apart to make it 8-7 before Hitchko tied it at 8 with 6:07 left.
`It was 8-5, and the next thing you know, Hitchko scores a couple and ties it. He’s a great player. We had our best defender on him the entire game,` McConaghy said.
Brian Linehan tallied the game-winning goal for Guilderland with 3:37 left in regulation.
`He (Linehan) sees playing time every once in a while, and when he’s in the game he seems to do good things,` McConaghy said.
Conway finished with three goals, and Linehan contributed two goals for Guilderland. Hitchko recorded a hat trick for Shen, and Anthony Zappone added three assists.
The Dutchmen looked to keep their winning streak going Tuesday when they met Suburban Council newcomer Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. They travel to Bethlehem Thursday and Ballston Spa Saturday.“
