By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – The Bristol Coop Lacrosse team has absolutely been on fire to open the 2023 campaign.
And after spinning Tolland by a 7-6 final back on April 5, the Bristol contingent was back in action on Wednesday – squaring off against Newington in a CCC South affair from Alumni Field on the campus BEHS.
And the boys rolled out another winning effort.
This one needed a little overtime as the locals came away with a thrilling 9-8 triumph in overtime with just over a minute to play.
Bristol is now 4-0 on the season while Newington is still looking for its first victory.
“It was a tight, back and forth game for four quarters with no team leading by more than two goals at any time,” said Bristol assistant coach Eric Bell.
Defensively, the Bristol coop had more than a couple of standouts.
Keeper Max Stavens was clutch in the net, stopping nearly two dozen shots (23 saves) for another win.
But he wasn’t alone over that stellar effort.
“Dylan Brown (one goal), Jake Warszawik and Jack Hartley led the way on defense, holding a strong Newington team in check all day long,” said Bell.
And then on the flip side, Braydon Dwyer had some clutch moments during fourth period play.
During face-offs, Dwyer won 12-of-19 balls and that offense kept Newington at bay.
But this event needed a little extra time added to the scoreboard before Bristol was able to seize the win.
Chase Dauphinee (three goals) scored his final goal on a feed by Aidan Collins (two assists) with 1:08 left showing on the clock, jamming the ball in for the game-winner.
Jayden Glasper also added three goals while dishing off an assist, Brady Bell zipped up a goal and two assists while Ian Reardon nabbed one goal and one assist to complete a busy offensive afternoon for Bristol.
Bristol’s 4-0 ledger isn’t just tremendous but it’s the best start in Central/Eastern program history.
This coming week, the Bristol coop has two exciting CCC South bouts, attempting to keep its undefeated ledger on the line.
On Monday evening, Bristol battles against Lewis Mills (6 p.m.) from Alumni Field while traveling to Enfield on Thursday.
Match time in Enfield begins at 3:45 p.m.
