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04/11/2016 12:00 AMAfter its first scheduled game of the spring against Haddam-Killingworth was postponed due to rain, the Valley Regional boys’ lacrosse team won its season opener by an 11-8 final at home on April 8.
The Warriors fell behind in the early going and trailed 2-0 at the end of the first period, but got back into the match with four goals in the second to trim the deficit to 5-4 at halftime. After the break, the Warriors’ offense exploded for six goals, while their defense put on the clamps by limiting the Thunderbirds to just one score in the third. Valley held a 10-6 cushion heading to the final frame and added an insurance goal that halted any hopes of a North Branford comeback as the Warriors came out on top with the 11-8 victory.
“I think we started slow, but settled down and played our style of lacrosse as the game went on,” said Head Coach George Hudson. “We want to run in transition, play up and down, but when it’s not there, settle down when the game calls for that. In the beginning, I think we pushed too much and that may have been because our first game was rained out and we were a little amped up to be out there, but we played well against a good, growing North Branford team and I’m happy for the win.”
Leading the way for Valley’s offense, senior captain Jonathan Lacoske had three goals and one assist, junior Jonathan Brophy finished with three goals, freshman Brad Rider scored twice and had one assist, junior Ryan Davis scored one goal and had two assists, junior Rocky Harpin had a goal with an assist, and sophomore Charlie Ferrucci handed out a pair of assists. Junior goalie Jake Azzinaro made 17 saves for Valley, while senior captain Will Doane helped close out North Branford with his play on the back end in the second half. Valley was outshot 27-24 by North Branford, but that didn’t matter in the end.
“We have a new offensive assistant in J.C. Flaherty, who has a similar approach to what we have played, but the guys are still learning the new concepts and that will take a little time to adjust,” Coach Hudson said. “Overall, I thought we played a solid game after the slow start and things are progressing nicely.”
Valley has some holes to fill this year after losing 14 seniors off a 2015 squad that qualified for both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Class S State Tournament. Gone are top players Ben Ferrucci, who had 79 goals and 24 assists in 2015; along with fellow key offensive contributor Kevin Cole, plus goalie Spencer Russo. Consequently, the Warriors are expecting big things from Lacoske (31 goals, 25 assists last year) and Brophy (15 goals), as well as Azzinaro, who’s taking the reins full-time in net this season after accumulating 139 saves last spring.
“Our goals are to make the Shoreline Conference championship game this season and get past the first round of the State Tournament,” Hudson said. “Jake in goal is a big deal on defense and, on offense, I expect good things from Lacoske, Brophy, Davis, and Rocky Harpin. Attacker Brad Rider is still learning and just a freshman, but he has good stick skills and a lot of potential. If they all play the way they are capable of, we should have a very balanced offense.”
Coach Hudson is in his second year at the helm of Valley’s boys’ lacrosse program. Hudson played varsity all four years at St. Joseph High School and, after serving our country for 10 years in the U.S. Navy, he started coaching lacrosse and was an assistant for one year at Norwich Free Academy, spent four years running the Norwich Youth Lacrosse program, and then spent six seasons as the head coach for St. Bernard. In the summer, Coach Hudson works with the Connecticut Whalers and the Connecticut Cardinals lacrosse squads.
2016 Valley Regional Warriors Boys’ Lacrosse Schedule
Friday, April 8: Valley 11, North Branford 8
Tuesday, April 12: vs. Morgan at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 14: at Cromwell at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19: vs. Old Lyme at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 21: vs. Old Saybrook at 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 23: vs. Immaculate at 11 a.m.
Thursday, April 28: vs. Haddam-Killingworth at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3: at North Branford at 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 5: at Morgan at 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 7: at Waterford at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10: vs. Cromwell at 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 12: at Old Lyme at 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: at Fitch at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17: at Old Saybrook at 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 19: vs. Ellington at 5:30 p.m.