Athletics win third straight
Sometimes a “much anticipated return” is an overused or overrated term in the world of sports.
Wednesday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena there was nothing overrated in Alex Simmons return to the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics line-up.
The 18-year-old Smithville native scored five goals, including three in the 10-minute overtime period, and added three assists as the Athletics battled back from a 7-5 third period deficit to win their third straight game and move to the .500 mark (5-5) with a thrilling 12-7 win over Toronto Beaches.
What’s even more impressive? Simmons didn’t feel comfortable Wednesday night.
“I’ve been playing field (lacrosse) for about three months — it’s just a completely different game,” explained Simmons who attends Culver Military Academy in Indiana. (Field Lacrosse) is not as fast, you don’t do as much as movement. The ball movement, it was so fast tonight, and I was so behind the gun and all over the place. But after I got (scored) the first one I got back in a groove.”
Simmons scored his first goal of the night 3:38 into the third period to cut Toronto’s lead to 6-5. After Beaches made it 7-5 just under three minutes later, the A’s would tie things sending the game to overtime tied at seven and then overwhelm their opponents with five straight goals, including three from Simmons, in the extra period.
“Seven-5 is nothing in lacrosse, coach (Rob) Taylor, and coach (Sean) Allen they just told us to play our game and stay in the offensive set and we’ll get our goals,” Simmons said. “It was awesome” Before leaving for Indiana, Simmons attended Blessed Trinity High School in Grimsby.
“There’s no lacrosse there, so it was a no brainer. I want to play Division 1 so I went down to the states,” said Simmons who will attend Denver University after graduating from Culver next year.
St. Catharines head coach and general manager Sean Allen was rightfully so all smiles after the game.
“Welcome back Simmer — that’s all I can say,” a laughing Allen said. “Wow.”
“He felt a little snake bitten to start the game just trying to find that box net, but if it took him two periods and a bit to come alive that’s much better than a few games.”
Lost in Simmons surreal performance was the play of goaltender Nick Damude.
Damude replaced starting goaltender Drayden Patey 6:28 into the second period and allowed just one goal the rest of the way on 26 shots.
“Patey struggled a little bit, and he came in and shut the door. One goal (allowed) in over two periods of play is pretty neat to watch.”
The Athletics welcome (3-3) Brampton Saturday night. Game time at Jack Gatecliff Arena is 7 p.m.
“We’re rolling now. We’re 5-5. Now we just have to keep winning and get a good playoff spot and go from there,” added Simmons.
A’s Acorns: Kealon Pilon, Jacob McMillan Jacob Johnson, Percy Booth, Kyler Kilgour, Zack Luis and Connor Aquanno all did not dress for St. Catharines. Damude lowered his league best goals against average to 4.77 and save-percentage to .877 with the victory.
Carter Zavtiz had one goal and seven assists, while Jeff Wittig added one goal and three helpers for the Athletics.
The A’s Alec Tamas scored a unanimous decision over Bryce Keats in a second period fight.