KIRYAT GAT, ISRAEL — In a tight game to start the Kiryat Gat Lacrosse Festival, Beer Sheva LC edged Ashdod LC, 9-8, on Wednesday at Kiryat Gat Synthetic.
Both teams saw scoring opportunities in the first minute of play before Max Gradinger (3G) put the first one in the back of the net for Ashdod just before 3 minutes had elapsed. Ashdod added another before Beer Sheva stormed back with 3 goals, 2 by Dan Deutsch, to take the lead heading into the second quarter.
Despite controlling the center X, Ashdod trailed 5-3 at halftime. Beer Sheva opened the second half with momentum, taking a 7-4 lead before goalie Jake Reiner (30:00 min, 5 SV) knocked down a shot into his own net bringing Ashdod back within 2.
With high-pressure defense, Ashdod forced a turnover with under 30 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter and added another tally, bringing the score to 8-6. After a lost face-off, Ashdod won the ball back 35 seconds into the 4th quarter to pull within one. 3 minutes later in a man-up situation Ashdod’s Alec Aloni (3G) made it even at 8.
Brett Hackel (2G) put in the game-winning goal with under 8 minutes to play, earning him EL AL Player of the Game honors.
Ian Kadish (4G) had another stellar performance for Beer Sheva. Strong goalkeeping kept the game close as Jeffrey Handman (30 min, 9 saves) was credited with the win for Beer Sheva and Andrew Copeland (60:00 min, 9 saves) was dealt the loss between the pipes for Ashdod.
Ashdod LC will take on Ashkelon LC on July 11 at 8pm at New Municipal Stadium.
Beer Sheva will return to the Kiryat Gat Synthetic to challenge Kiryat Gat LC on July 12 at 8pm.