Merchants Hold On In Fierce Struggle With Rivermen

The Brooklin Merchants (5-1) traveled west to face the Six Nations Rivermen (3-2) Saturday night in Ontario Series Lacrosse action at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. 

The goaltending match-up had Deacan Knott in net for Brooklin facing Dusty Hill in net for the Rivermen. 

Although the Rivermen got off to a fast start, the Merchants didn't take long to control the first period.  Led by Darren Elliott, Will MacLeod, and Zac Carrigan, Brooklin opened up a four goal lead heading to the intermission. 

The Rivermen kept working, and were rewarded in the second period.   Scoring five times, the Rivermen pulled within one by the intermission, setting up an exciting third and final period.

Brooklin built a pretty solid lead midway through the third, getting up 12-8. However, as was their mark all game, the Six Nations Rivermen weren't going to give up.  Three late goals brought the game within one, but they just couldn't get the equalizer.  Brooklin held on for the 12-11 victory. 

To The Game:

Thunder Hill got the Rivermen rolling early with a low to low laser off a Jordan Goddard pass at 0:50 seconds, but Darren Elliott would convert a Max Macpherson pass from in front to tie the game at 6:09.

Devon Pipher gave the Merchants their first lead of the game with a sidearm snipe off a Parker Pipher feed at 10:02, followed by Zach Miller with a quick stick off a Darren Elliott pass at 12:05.

Zac Carrigan added a power-play marker off a Will MacLeod pass at 14:05, followed by MacLeod himself with a blast to the corner, also on the power-play, off a Parker Pipher pass 0:30 seconds later. 

After one period, Brooklin 5 Six Nations 1.

Second Period:

Jordan Goddard got Six Nations back on the track with an unassisted goal at 1:54, followed by Davin Bomberry with a high to low bounced shot off a Wes Whitlow feed at 4:32.

Thunder Hill added his second of the night on the power-play off a Jordan Goddard pass at 5:30, followed by Oakley Thomas in transition off a long lead pass from Dusty Hill at 8:57 to tie the game.

Devon Pipher regaind the Brooklin lead with a howitzer to the shortside off a Parker Pipher pass at 14:10 on the power-play, but Zach Herrewyers scored from in close off an Anahalihs Doxtator pass at 15:22.

Kellen Pulera beat Dusty Hill with a bounced shot off a Devon Pipher pass at 17:14.

After two periods, Brooklin 7 Six Nations 6.

Third Period:

Eddie Renaud increased the Merchants lead with a blast off a Devon Pipher pass at 0:59 seconds, but Zach Herrewyers answered off a Davin Bomberry feed from in close at 2:54.

Kellen Pulera then beat Dusty Hill with a bounced shot off a Parker Pipher pass at 3:43, followed by Pipher himself with a great individual effort off a Zac Carrigan pass at 4:06.

Liam Osbourne increased the Merchants lead to four off a Carrigan feed as well at 6:40, but Brooker Muir stopped the run with a laser of his own off a Thunder Hill pass at 7:25.

Quinn Hyland scored in transition for Brooklin unassisted at 9:32 to open up a four goal lead at 10:28.

The Rivermen put on the pressure for the remainder of the period.

Wes Whitlow was rewarded after Jordan Goddard fed him in close at 10:55, followed by Anahalihs Doxtator with an unassisted marker shorthanded at 13:06.  Zach Herrewyers brought the game within one with an unassisted talley, but the Rivermen fell just short as time ran out.

Final score, Brooklin 12 Six Nations 11.

The Three Stars:

1. Parker Pipher 
2. Zach Herrewyers 
3. Kellen Pulera