Overlake Advances to the Semi's after winning a hard battle against Whatcom

The warm sunset provided a great backdrop for a quarterfinal battle. The anticipation could be felt in the air as both teams warmed up. Whatcom comes into the game of their two best offensive performances, while Overlake's Defense has finally started to gel. 

Each team played with high intensity from the opening whistle.  The face-off was won by hard-nosed play and set the tone for what was to follow, a defensive battle where every loose ball would be contested. As we get underway neither team allows any quality shots on goal. 

The first goal is scored by Overlake’s Devon Schmidt unassisted three minutes into play. Whatcom answers with three minutes left in the first quarter when Hernandez puts one past Chap Grub from the doorstep. An illegal body check on the play puts Overlake in a man-down situation. Soon after, an offsides penalty now puts Overlake two-men down. With tough defensive play, Overlake refuses to  allow Whatcom to take the momentum or the lead due to the penalties. Carlos Srinvas attacks down the alley to score the last goal of the quarter to give Overlake a 2-1 lead with a bounce shot that pokes the upper corner. 

The second quarter starts with long times of possession on both sides of the field. Whatcom takes over seven shots on cage but Chap Grub keeps the net empty. Overlake patiently rols through multiple offensive sets and Whatcoms defense starts to show their first signs of fatigue.Taking advantage Overlake appears to find another gear halfway through the quarter and scores three assisted goals in the next minute and thirty seconds off crisp ball movement. Devon Schmidt, George Dolack and Michael Nelson trade off for the goals and assists. Whatcom scores the last goal of the half to make the score 5-2 and steal the momentum before halftime.

Whatcom comes out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter winning the face-off and scooping up all the groundballs. This leads to a quick assisted goal in a man-up situation, just over a minute into the quarter. Now it's Overlake that looks fatigued and they have a short bench today for various reasons. Overlake’s lead shrinks to two goals. On top of that Carlos Srinivas is out for the rest of the game with a hamstring strain, and Scout Tweedie-Yates is sidelined with with a nagging hip flexer. Overlake is now down two more middies at their most depleated position. Not to be denied George Dolack scores the last goal in the third quarter to push the lead back to three goals, 6-3, with a pass from fellow attackmen Devon Schmidt.

The fourth quarter turns into a back and forth battle between penalties and goals. Over ten penalties are called in the final quarter. The first goal isn’t scored until the last four minutes of play by Overlake. The two teams answer goal for goal the rest of the game with the final being 8-5.

Overlake’s defense proves to be a vital part in the game. Six poles combine for 12 groundballs, 18 saves and convert 13 of 17 clears.

Coach Valentine says "I challenged the boys to come out and make a statement from the opening bell. Both teams played hard." he also added that he mostly happy for this years seniors who's season was extended.

Point Scorers

Overlake - Devon Schmidt: 2 goals, 2 assists; George Dolack: 3 goals; Michael Nelson: 1 goal, 1 assist; Greg Sterin: 1 goal; Andy Chapelle: 1 assist

Whatcom - Cassidy: 1 goal, 2 assists; Hoelzlie: 2 goals; Hernadez and Aanes: 1 goal

Saves:

Overlake: Chap Grub: 18 Saves

Whatcom: 5 Saves