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Livecast primer: Ridgefield vs. John Jay-CR boys lax
Isaac Cass
* Follow WE/HV boys lacrosse on Twitter @MSGV_Icass *
VITALS
Matchup: Ridgefield vs. John Jay-CR
Venue: John Jay-Cross River High School
Date: Saturday, April 28
Time: 7 p.m.
Where to watch: The game will be streamed LIVE on MSGVarsity.com
Where to re-watch: The game will be televised on May 1 at 4 p.m. on MSG Varsity (iO Channel 14)
Interact: Follow the game on Twitter @MSGV_Icass
Saturday's livecast will feature a boys lacrosse showdown between John Jay-CR and neighboring Ridgefield from Connecticut.
John Jay-CR — which enters with a record of 7-3 — is coming off a narrow 6-5 win over defending Section 1 Class A champ Mahopac. Goalie Thomas Branca preserved the victory with a season-high 17 saves.
Defensively, Branca has been a rock all season for the Indians. The Fairfield University-bound senior has averaged 12.6 saves a game and has relinquished double-digit goals just once — in an 11-10 OT loss to Long Island powerhouse Manhasset.
University of North Carolina-bound longstick middie Jack Lambert is another player to watch. The standout junior is electric in transition, possessing the ability to get his stick in passing lanes to cause turnovers. He is actually fourth on the team in scoring with eight points (5G, 3A). Danny Caiola, Mike Skluth and Matt Lanza round out the defense.
Offensively, Stevens Tech-bound senior attackman Matt Ferentini leads John Jay-CR with a team-high 27 points on 19 goals and eight assists. The 6-3, 175-pound basketball standout has used his size to create scoring opportunities around the cage. Junior middie/attackman Tommy Beck stands as the Indians' most dynamic offensive threat. He has had a breakout season with 16 goals and seven assists. Middies Andrew Duffy (10G), Frazier Bostwick (7G, 4A) and Shawn Smith (7G, 4A) are other players to watch.
Ridgefield — which enters with a record of 8-1 — is coming off a thrilling 15-14 OT win over defending Class M state champ Wilton. Sean Wilkinson tallied the game-winning goal with 2:23 left in the first overtime.
Albany-bound senior attackman/middie Eric Scala leads the Tigers in scoring with 26 goals and 10 assists. He had an astounding eight goals in the win over Wilton. Wilkinson (18G, 19A), Timmy Kelly (21G, 8A) and Sean Riley (18G, 7A) round out a potent Ridgefield offense.
This is the third straight year the two teams have met. Ridgefield won last year's matchup, 9-7. John Jay-CR cruised to a 14-9 win in 2010.
Follow all the action on Twitter @MSGV_Icass
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