The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Green Dragons upended by Bears
NORWALK — Marlon Brown has been a lacrosse player for just about a month now.
As an athlete, however, he knows an opportunity when he sees it.
The senior defensive middie went the length of the field with the ball, racing on goal when nobody picked him up, and scored in his first career goal to provide one of the highlights in Norwalk’s 16-3 win over Hamden on Saturday at Testa Field.
“Honestly, I just saw the opportunity and I took it,” said Brown, who plans on playing football at Central Connecticut State University come fall. “I’m trying to get in shape for football because I want to be in the best shape of my life. It’s tougher than I thought it would be.”
Despite Brown’s newness, the two-year Norwalk High football standout (he transferred in from New York City his junior year) has been an important addition to the team.
“He’s bringing a lot of energy and a lot of leadership,” Norwalk coach Glenn Adams said. “He’s been on the track and football team. He’s a leader. I think more people were excited for him on his goal than he was. I wish I had him for a few extra years.”
While Brown’s first tally was an emotional high, Norwalk’s more experienced players made the win possible.
David Lamb scored two of his three goals in the first quarter as the Bears raced out to a 4-0 lead against the Green Dragons.
“All season, that’s the first time in the first quarter we came out ready to play,” Adams said. “We’ve been coming out slow, but today we came out ready to play and it gave us a great advantage.”
Lamb scored the first two goals with Donte Salano and Michael Propersi also tallying single goals.
“We got the lead and we were able to hold it for the rest of the game,” Adams said.
BUILDING UPON IT
Build upon that lead was more like it.
Norwalk exploded for five more goals in the second quarter and four more in the third.
Dale Donovan scored five goals with an assist while AJ Hall had four goals and three assists.
“Hopefully, this type of effort really boosts everybody’s confidence and we can come back even more confident in our next game,” Hall said.
Victor Espinoza and Sean Warde also tallied goals.
Patrick Ruther made 9 saves in the game, including five in the third quarter.
“He’s definitely been a solid piece for us,” Adams said. “He keeps us in every game, which is huge.”
Norwalk, sparked by Quint Bartush, won 16 face-offs compared to five for the other team.
LEARNING TO FLY
The Green Dragons (0-5) never gave up, scoring two of their three goals late in the fourth quarter.
Sam Levine netted two of Hamden’s goals while Payten Nevins had the other.
Goalies Chaz Cox and Kevin Collins split duties, combining to make 12 saves.
“We’re always preaching we have to get better,” firstyear Hamden coach Scott Wescott said. “We’re young and getting guys experience. We definitely learn a lot coming down here (to the FCIAC). We’re always preaching about competing four quarters, and I think we did that.”