NETANYA, ISRAEL — Barak Netanya LC needed the full 60 minutes to dispatch Ashkelon LC on Monday night in the IPLL semifinals at Shapira Field.
Ashkelon (2-5) led most of the way in a see-saw battle, before a late offensive burst by Netanya (5-2) put them up for good.
The score was tied, 7-7, after three quarters, but Netanya dominated the final frame to secure the win, punching their ticket in Thursday’s IPLL Championship Game. The win marked the third time this season that Netanya defeated Ashkelon.
Barak meets the winner of Tuesday’s semifinal game, featuring top-ranked Haifa LC, who hosts Tel Aviv LC at Kiryat Gat Synthetic.
Aaron Feinberg scored 3 goals and and Jesse Parker had four goals to lead Netanya’s offense, with Feinberg earning EL AL Player of the Game honors. Matthew Greenberg racked up a season-high three goals and four assists.
Andrew Copeland stopped 10 shots in the win, improving to 3-0 in goal for Barak.
Mitch Goldberg led Ashkelon with four goals. Juri Elonen made eight saves in the loss.
Ashkelon will compete in a consolation game prior to the IPLL Championship on Thursday night at New Municipal Stadium.
[avatar user=”JacobFarrell” size=”thumbnail” align=”left”]Jacob Farrell is a writer and photographer for the IPLL.[/avatar]