Tartans play a little keep-away

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Zach Musto of Scotia-Glenville keeps his eye on the ball as he falls to the ground during Tuesday's Class B playoff game against Queensbury.

Share on Facebook

Save

The Scotia-Glenville boys’ lacrosse team has Queensbury’s number. But the Tartans won’t be calling back any time soon.

In two previous low-scoring matchups, the Tartans beat the Spartans twice [6-5 and 7-5] by a total of three goals. On Tuesday, it looked like Scotia might open up a big lead and coast the rest of the way, but it didn’t quite turn out that way.

The Tartans played a controlled offense and took a 6-2 halftime lead, but then had to hold off a furious Queensbury rally to capture an 8-6 quarterfinal victory in a Section II Class B game at Scotia-Glenville High School.

Scotia (11-5) kept the ball away from the Spartans for most of the first half, thanks to some outstanding faceoff play by Sam Carmola.

“Sam Carmola is a great faceoff guy,” Scotia coach Bob Gula said. “He keeps us in games all the time, because we’re able to control the ball. The more possessions we have, the better off we are.

“I know he learned the game from his father, who was also a coach. He definitely knows how to win faceoffs, and that’s been one of the keys for us all year long.”

“My dad definitely taught me the game, especially about how to win faceoffs,” Carmola said. “My dad coached here at Scotia, and also at Schenectady. He also coached some football, but he doesn’t coach anymore. Still, I give him a lot of credit for how I play.”

The Tartans scored just four minutes into the game on a quick-hitter by Zach Musto. Thirteen seconds later, Kettrick Bailey tacked on another quick goal, and it was 2-0 Scotia.

Goalie Liam DeBiase then made a couple of nifty saves, and the Tartans had all the momentum.

It was 3-0 Scotia following a JJ Goetz tally at the end of the opening period. Musto, Bailey — on an outstanding individual spinning move in front — and Jason Crandal also scored to help the Tartans grab a 6-2 halftime edge. Rob Pollaro, on a hard shot 30 yards out, and Mike Carpenter scored back-to-back goals in the period for Queensbury.

The Spartans then dominated the third period 3-0. Pollaro, Joeseph Gerardi, after a scrum in front of the goal, and Jakob Miller, on a man-up situation, supplied the offense.

Scotia-Glenville then took advantage of a pair of Queensbury penalties in the final period to re-establish control of the game. Carmola spun his way in for a score with 6:15 to go, and then Musto tacked on the game-clincher just 10 seconds later to put the Tartans in front 8-5.

Queensbury made it interesting when Carpenter scored again with only 1:22 remaining on the clock, but the Tartans did a good job of keeping the ball away from the Spartans the rest of the way.

“All year long, our offense has scored more than enough goals for us to win games, but every time we play Queensbury, our defense has stepped up, just like it did today,” said Gula.

“We usually have low-scoring games against them,” added Carmola. “Every time we play them, it’s pretty close.”

“I knew we would need a few more goals, that’s why I was so happy to score that last one,” Musto said. “When they started coming back against us, I wasn’t sure what to think, but I’m glad I took advantage of that last opportunity, because it turned out that goal helped give us a cushion.”

Up next for the Tartans is Albany Academy.

“That will be a tough one,” Musto said. “But we’re very glad to get a sectional win under our belt. It was a good game.”

Queensbury 0 2 3 1 — 6

Scotia 3 3 0 2 — 8

Queensbury scoring: Rob Pollaro 2-0, Mike Carpenter 2-0, Joseph Gerardi 1-0, Jakob Miller 1-0, Benjamin Willows 0-3. Scotia scoring: Zach Musto 3-1, Kettrick Bailey 2-1, JJ Goetz 1-0, Jason Crandall 1-0, Sam Carmola 1-1.

Goalies: Queensbury, Ted Nolan; 10 saves. Scotia-Glenville, Liam DeBiase, 8 saves.