Cumberland's defense clamps down to edge Middletown in boys lacrosse matchup
CUMBERLAND — Nate Reilly admits he’s a little biased.
You would assume as much from Cumberland’s boys lacrosse coach. His opinion that the Clippers field the best defense and goalkeeper in Division II is largely what you might expect.
More performances like Thursday night's, however, and it could soon become consensus. Cumberland squeezed the juice from Middletown in a matchup of the league’s top two teams, and the final at Tucker Field read more like a baseball score.
The Clippers held on late for a 3-2 triumph, paying the Islanders back from an overtime road loss in the season opener. Cumberland now sits alone atop the standings and will carry the inside track on the potential No. 1 playoff seed should it win all its remaining matches.
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“It’s rare that you get a lacrosse game that ends 3-2,” Reilly said. “But we have such a good defense. We have guys who are very smart.”
Seth Perron’s tally midway through the third quarter wound up the difference. That gave the Clippers a two-goal advantage they were able to protect over a tense final 12 minutes. Keaton O’Shea raced in after winning the draw to open the fourth quarter and buried a shot with 11:50 to play, but Middletown came no closer.
“We have the best goalie in the league,” Reilly said. “We’re so deep in our defense, too. We can kind of rely on anyone up and down the lineup.”
The toughest test of the game came midway through the fourth quarter when Cumberland went two men down on separate penalties. Colby Enos made a key save in front and the Clippers were able to kill off the minute disadvantage without any further stress. Ryan Snodgrass blocked a late shot by Griffin Kleinknecht and the Islanders were out of time.
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“Definitely a little stressful at the end there,” Reilly said. “We’ve been preparing for these guys ever since we lost the first game to them. I know our team is talented enough to do really special things this year.”
Middletown (6-2) captured that meeting in early April by an 8-7 count. Patrick Bennett’s opening goal gave the Islanders a lead less than a minute into this one, but the drought that followed lasted nearly 36 minutes. Sean Taylor and Sam Asermely found the net with unassisted tallies to hand Cumberland (6-1) a 2-1 halftime edge.
“We’ve been prepping for this game ever since that first loss,” Reilly said. “The boys took it personal and they really showed up today.”
Perron’s winner was a scruffy one from in front of the cage. Mason Cournoyer took a shot in traffic that bounced in the air and was up for grabs just outside the crease. Perron barged forward and reached the ball first, swatting it into the net.
“He shows his tenacity, which I love,” Reilly said. “Him going to the crease there and finding that loose ball was a little bit of his hockey background.”
Enos was forced to make just four saves and the Clippers have allowed only 18 goals combined over their last four matches. Mount St. Charles nearly hit that number in the 2022 title game, posting a 17-5 victory before departing for Division I. Middletown moved down from the top level and has immediately found a more comfortable home against the likes of Cumberland, South Kingstown, Prout, Pilgrim and Chariho.
“They took that loss personally last year — as any team should,” Reilly said. “We’ve got a really good leadership group and we’ve got a lot of young guys who are stepping up as well.”
MIDDLETOWN (2): Patrick Bennett, Keaton O’Shea. CUMBERLAND (3): Sean Taylor, Sam Asermely, Seth Perron; assist – Mason Cournoyer.
Halftime – C, 2-1. Saves – Christian Berluti, M, 4; Colby Enos, C, 4.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cumberland boys lacrosse edges Middletown in defensive battle
