Tower Hill doubles up on Riders

WILMINGTON -- There were no screams emanating from Tower Hill coach Brad duPont as his team gathered around him at halftime.

The top-seeded Hillers, who trailed by as many as four goals in the first half, just focused on the task at hand -- which was to keep their heads and protect their field Tuesday night.

Tower Hill came out on fire in the second half, scoring four goals in the first 4:03 to take the lead, as it rallied to defeat No. 8 Caesar Rodney 12-6 in the quarterfinals of the Delaware High School Boys Lacrosse Tournament.

The Hillers dominated the third quarter by outscoring CR 6-0 during the period. They went on to outscore the Riders 9-0 in the second half.

Senior attack Evan DeDominicis scored three of his game-high six goals in the third quarter, while junior midfielder Ripley Nielson scored two of his three goals during the uprising for Tower Hill (15-2).

"This team impresses me," duPont said about his squad. "Good teams can find a way to win ugly games."

Tower Hill outshot the Riders 33-14.

It was a major letdown for upset-minded Caesar Rodney (12-6), which broke out to a surprising 5-1 lead in the first half.

Ryan MacLeish led the Riders with a pair of goals.

Tower Hill 12, Caesar Rodney 6

Caesar Rodney 3 3 0 0-6

Tower Hill 1 2 6 3-12

Goals-CR: MacLeish 2, Hoffstadt, Matsko, McPhail, Miracle; TH: DeDominicis 6, Nielson 3, Graham 2, Robino. Assists-CR: Matsko; TH: Timmons, Robino.

Shots-CR 14; TH 33. Saves-CR (Jackson) 11; TH (Murray) 6. Groundballs-CR 22; Tower Hill 29.

Contact Mike Finney at 734-7945 or mfinney@delawareonline.com

By MIKE FINNEY • The News Journal • May 20, 2009
Reprinted with permission of The News Journal