Glendale scored six consecutive goals in the second half and held off La Salle, 10-7, in the season opener Thursday afternoon at the Norman S. Johnson Aquatics Center. Lancers’ senior Troy Worley scored the game’s first goal just two minutes in and his second with 2:44 left in the first half gave La Salle a […]
Glendale scored six consecutive goals in the second half and held off La Salle, 10-7, in the season opener Thursday afternoon at the Norman S. Johnson Aquatics Center.
Lancers’ senior Troy Worley scored the game’s first goal just two minutes in and his second with 2:44 left in the first half gave La Salle a 5-4 lead.
La Salle would lead throughout the second half until Liam Graham’s third goal of the game with 2:52 to play gave the Nitros a 7-6 lead, and Glendale (1-0) will hold on for the win.
“We didn’t have a lot of subs (substitutes) or composure and we’re a very inexperienced team,” La Salle coach David Ireland said about the late second-half collapse.
Despite the loss, Ireland saw some good signs.
“I was surprised, because I wasn’t expecting us to come out with that fire and compete as hard as they did,” Ireland said. “I was really proud of them.”
Hunter Xue and Alex Wedeen had two goals apiece for La Salle (0-1), and sophomore Benny Sigoloff scored with 12 seconds to play to account for the Lancers offense.
Glendale captains Vachik Gharibyan (3 goals), Liam Graham (2) and Nick Schmitt (1) were responsible for 6 of the Nitros 10 goals.
Shane Jindassa had 12 saves in goal for La Salle, and his counterpart, Glendale’s Ronald George blocked 14 shots.
Worley looked at the loss with a ‘glass half-full’ mentality.
“We lost our ‘mojo’ in the second half and didn’t pass or communicate well, but we showed early what we’re capable of,” Worley said. “I liked that our younger players were taking some leadership, but I’d also like to see us improve our communication and teamwork.”
La Salle will be back in the water on Tuesday when they take on Pioneer of Whittier at 3 p.m. in Arcadia.
Box Score:
Glendale: 3-1-1-5-(10)
La Salle: 3-2-1-1-(7)
La Salle goals: Troy Worley (2), Hunter Xue (2), Alex Wedeen (2), Benny Sigoloff.
Glendale goals: Vachik Gharibyan (3), Levon Vartanian (2), Liam Graham (2), Nick Schmitt, Alex Mirzaiians, Hike Pashanian.
Goalie Saves: Shane Jinadasa (LS) 12; Ronald George (G) 14.
