NETANYA, ISRAEL — Herzliya LC earned a 14-12 win in over Ashdod LC in an exciting match at Shapira Field on Wednesday. The win eliminates Ashdod from playoff contention while keeping Herzliya’s hopes alive heading into the final day of the season.
The 6-7, 200-pound Sean Wright was the difference-maker, shuffling into the lineup for Ryan Hunter. Wright connected for four goals and two assists, as Ashdod had difficulty containing his physical precense.
Herzliya led 5-2 after one quarter, but Ashdod gutted their way back into the game, taking a 10-8 lead in the third quarter. Behind Wright, Herzliya finished strong in a spirited affair that was arguably the most tightly-contested game of the season. Holden Grupp, Matt Pollack, Ben Wipper and Isaac Paparo each chipped in two goals for Herzliya. Raitis Zabrorskis (60:00, 5 saves 12 GA) earned the win in goal.
Ashdod was led by Willy Gettinger (three goals, two assists) and JJ Pickard (three goals, one assist). The Dolphins are eliminated from Final Four contention with the loss.
Herzliya needs a win Thursday, coupled with an Ashkelon loss to Haifa, to advance to the playoffs.
Earlier in the day, Be’er Sheva dispatched Kiryat Gat, 8-6, at Ashdod Sport Club to remain undefeated.
Lane Kadish, Eric Fischer and Serbian national Milos Vukasinovic each chipped in two goals in the win. Tom Carver and Josh Schwall added singles while Payton Fales (60:00, 9 saves, 6 GA) earned the win in goal.
Ian Mills and Spencer Rotenberg scored two goals apiece for Kiryat Gat.
The IPLL regular season wraps up on Thursday with a quadruple-header at the Kiryat Gat Lacrosse Festival.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS:
BE’ER SHEVA LC (4-0): Has clinched a playoff berth.
HAIFA LC (3-1): Has clinched a playoff berth.
SDEROT LC (3-1): Has clinched a playoff berth.
ASHKELON LC (2-2): Clinches a playoff berth with a win over Haifa OR a Herzliya loss to Kiryat Gat.
HERZLIYA LC (2-2): Clinches a playoff berth with a win over Kiryat Gat AND an Ashkelon loss to Haifa.
ASHDOD LC (1-3): Eliminated from playoff contention.
BARAK NETANYA LC (1-3): Eliminated from playoff contention.
KIRYAT GAT LC (0-4): Eliminated from playoff contention.