Nathan Hale Evens the Series, Outlasts Owls 6-5

In a defensive stalemate, Hale's Raiders and the Overlake Owls play a lot of defense between the two of them.  Tonight would be no different. 

The first mark on the scoreboard occurred late in the first quarter, When Barkell assists harvey for the first at 3:09 in the quarter. Followed by Kevin Harkey just a minute later unassisted. Only one minute into the second, the boone would cease as Shiplett has his unassisted.

At 8 minutes remaining in the second, Overlake down by three, the Owls begin taking shot after shot to make the difference. On a possession from the end line, Hale gets a free clear, and Kevin Harkey dodges and shoots as Hale keeps the pressure on with Shiplett and Osborn.Another take as Root shoots off a cross- cage feed, and Overlake has trouble clearing the ball for the third time.

Shiplett brings it in from the end line, but forces a shot wide to turn possession to Overlake. Now the Owls will have a shot to put some points on the board with 4 minutes remaining in the period. Just inside two minutes, a 30 second man-up opportunity for Overlake when a drive to the cage by Dolack results in a push with possession. Overlake works it around, but Hale gets possession of the shot and manages to kill the penalty and get a shot off. Overlake gets the ball back with a few seconds left, and fires another at the buzzer. At the half, Hale leads 3-0. Hale has shot 8 times for three goals, and Overlake has 6, but none have gone past the goal line. Overlake has to win this game to stay in the hunt.

Starting the second half, Hale gets a one minute man-up off the face. As Hale loses possession, they give Overlake a break by getting them their own man-up putting the teams even for 30 seconds. Bringing the ball in from the end line, Guren drives the cage from behind and scores on a fading jumper, and Overlake is on the board.

Another man-up opportunity for Overlake, and they won't waste it as Leay feeds Bechtol for number 2, and the Owls trade for two straight. Bechtol is relentless, beating his man up top swimming at fill sprint and ripping a shot with 5:30 left to tie it up. Bechtol has given the Owls momentum and now they look to control the pace as well. Hale gets possession back, and after less than a minute of possession 45 fires one off an Overlake foot for a score at 2:22 and the Raiders are back on top. Overlake holds off the offensive onslaught, but again can't clear. At the end of three, Overlake trails 4-3 at home.

Overlake wins the face-off, and controls the ball getting several shots before giving the ball and a man-up to Hale as they find the net on a Harkey cross-body shot sweeping from east to west up top. Overlake is down two with 8:15 in the fourth.

Overlake gets possession, and doesn't sink a shot right on the crease in man-up. Overlake is threatening, and pushing at the cage. They are getting all kinds of open looks and finally, at 4:17, Overlake midfielder Schultz buries one past Adams cutting the Hale lead to one. Hale gains possession, steps over midfield at 3:46 and calls their first time out.

Shiplett patiently waits out his defenseman and finds a seem for an underhand crank past the Owl net minder. The owls pressure relentlessly on the bail With 43 seconds left, Overlake draws a man-up opportunity that could tie the game, but forces the ball out. Owls ride hard, and get it back with 16 seconds, but two shots bounce off Adams, and Hales holds off the Owls 6-5 in a great effort. The Owls did a tremendous job riding, but will have to work on shot selection.