Danville, KY---- It was not the season opener the colonels wanted, but they have the opportunity to rebuild stronger for the rest of the season. Centre loses to Elmhurst 17-11.
In the opening period, the Colonels were able to strike first behind
Ryan Black, who found the back of the net to open up scoring. While this aided in generating chances early, Bluejays goalkeeper Andrew Lackonen came up with key saves to keep the deficit at one.
Bluejays responded midway behind a dominant stretch from Eli Spence, tying the game before adding back-to-back goals to cap a three-goal run, taking a 3-1 lead. Centre was able to battle back late with Black netting his second of the quarter to help keep the colonels close.
The second quarter favored Centre as they had a dominant mid-quarter stretch to flip the momentum. Bluejays maintained their lead over the colonels early on, but that didn't last long as a goal by
Thomas Tyack, and later
Ryan Hall gave the colonels their first lead.
Elmhurst was too quick to halt this scoring run when Eli Spence scored late in the quarter to regain the lead again.
The third quarter was the colonels' struggling point, even though they opened with strong offensive pressure and a goal from
Patrick Tatro. Momentum shifted quickly as the Bluejays outscored the Colonels 7-3 in the period and carried a 13-10 lead heading to the fourth.
Elmhurst closed the game out strong, Centre started early to mount a comeback when
Ben Hubbs scored to cut into the deficit, putting the colonels back within striking distance. This momentum shift was short-lived, as Elmhurst continued to press with Eli Spence taking it away with 2 goals, and the defense limiting Centre to perimeter chances and forcing costly turnovers.
it became too much for the Colonels as they lost 17-11; unable to climb back from a back position, they seemed to stay in it for the majority of the game.
Â
