On a windy day in Boerne, TX, the Timberwolves showed grit and heart to prevail over an evenly matched Greyhounds squad.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Park | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Boerne | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| B. McKeon 2G 1A, N. Gaus 2G 1A, S. Attaguile 1G 1A, H. Newman 13 Sv 65% Sp |
The box score shows the determination of the boys to stick with the game plan for 4 quarters. What it doesn’t show are the many hurdles they had to overcome, the improvements needed on the field, and the heroics of multiple players in crunch time.
CP entered the game down 4 crucial players. Sophomores Royce Beaulieu (A), Brady Flynn (FO), and Vincent Eckert (D) were forced to sit out the day and Freshman Brando Mungia (A) had season-ending knee surgery earlier in the week.
With Flynn out, Freshman Bowen Travis (A/M) was tapped to step in at the faceoff x. This placed a heavy burden on Soph. Nick Gaus as the only true attackman on the roster for the first game of the season. Captains Kayden Fanner (Sr. M) and Sammy Attaguile (So. M) stepped up to help fill the gap alongside new Sophomore additions Cameron Parks and Logan Schepper.
Following a 4-2 deficit after the first quarter, the team needed adjustments to solve struggles on the defense and in the clear.
Senior captain Boston McKeon, Juniors Dylan Tam, Cailin Sadeghi, and Sophomore Luke Barsun stepped up and created issues for the Greyhound offense. Behind Freshman Goalie Hank Newman’s 74% save percentage on the game, the Boerne offense could only offer a single goal in the remaining quarters. The half ended a step closer 5-4. With a renewed focus, CP returned from the half energized and began taking advantage of opportunities. The Timberwolves took the lead in the 4th quarter on 2 goals by Attaguile.
With just over 2 minutes remaining, a push with possession penalty on Barsun threatened the lead, but the defense stood tall and held on until the penalty ended. With 1:07 remaining, Fr. standout Jackson Kendrick (M) suffered a slashing penalty, again putting the lead in jeopardy. In the final offensive possession of the opponent, Newman saved the game with multiple stops on the doorstep, leading to a push call as Fanner attempted to clear the ball a final time. Attaguile iced the game with a crucial ground ball near the sideline and escape to the endline as time expired.
“It’s impressive to see a team face adversity in their first game but never question the process. A year ago, I don’t know that we would’ve won that game. The DNA of this team is filled with trust among one another. Every guy plays their role with a single, united focus on playing the best game they can. We have room to grow, but this was a statement about who this team is” remarked Head Coach Tyler Moore.
The Timberwolves look to continue their success as they host Vandegrift’s JV team next Saturday, February 19th, at Cedar Park High School. Faceoff is at 2:00 PM.
Pictures courtesy of Kathie Tam: https://www.kathietamphotography.com/zg/cplaxboerne2022