Boys lacrosse: Chris Patterson leads Bronxville to an overtime upset at Briarcliff

BRIARCLIFF MANOR – Only an epic upset will prevent a rematch.

Get your tickets in advance.

Chris Patterson netted five goals in the fourth quarter Monday then set up Luke Stephens, who gave Bronxville a stunning 10-9 overtime win at Briarcliff in a contest that was in all likelihood a preview of the Section 1 Class D championship.

The Broncos now own wins against two nationally-ranked opponents.

“He just drew the entire defense and that’s how I got so wide open,” said Stephens, who slipped into the crease from the backside on the game-winner.

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Patterson earned the attention, knotting the score 9-9 with his fifth goal of the fourth quarter.

“It wasn’t going for me win the first half,” he said. “I had some trouble finishing and their goalie did a great job. But once I got it going in the second half and they weren’t sliding, I was taking the open lane every time I beat the defender and I started to put the ball in the net.”

Both sides were careful not to show too much, believing a surprise or three could make a difference if there is a rematch.

“I think we got a sense for what they’re bringing out, at least as far as personnel,” Patterson said. “I’m not sure they’ll come out in that same defense, but if they do, we’ll have our game plan set. We have great players and great coaches, so we’ll work around any changes they make.”

The Bears had won 21 in a row against Section 1 teams.

“We stuck with the plan in the first half, but then we made stupid mistakes in the second half that were compounded by other mistakes,” said Briarcliff coach Al Meolo, whose team had a 6-2 lead at the break. “It comes down to discipline. It’s probably a good thing, us getting hit in the face with some humble pie. We can’t assume we’re going to win a sectional championship. Hats off to Bronxville and their coaches, they did a great job and never quit.”

What it means

The intensity will start high and stay high should these teams clash again May 27 at Lakeland High School with a Section 1 championship on the line. The Bears will reflect and refocus this week. And they will adjust next time should Patterson heat up.

“We get really competitive when we’re down, like last weekend against Shoreham-Wading River,” Stephens added. “We show up in big games and prove ourselves…. This game means a lot to us, but I think we’re going to see them again in the playoffs.”

The Broncos clinched the League III-C title with the win.

Player of the game

It can only be Patterson, who totaled six goals and two assists.

By the numbers

Bronxville (10-5): Stephens finished with a pair of goals. … Wilder Burgin went 14 for 16 on faceoffs. … Tommy Garofalo and Luke Sheehan scored one goal apiece. … Luke Arrighi made 11 saves.

Briarcliff (11-4): Brandon Rispoli wound up with four goals. … Elliot Jones had three goals. … Jack Ricciardi gave the Bears a 9-8 lead, finishing with two goals and four assists. … Evan Van Camp made 12 saves.

Quotable

The Broncos opened the season with a win at Iona Prep, which is also in the Nike/USA Lacrosse national rankings and often surpass expectations if that kind of a game, but there have been instances where the execution was not what it needs to be.

“We definitely have to iron out the inconsistency,” Patterson said. “The games where we come out with a sense of urgency and purpose and heart, that’s when we do our best. It depends on the opponent. Sometimes we get lackadaisical, so we have to keep our energy up moving forward.”

Mike Dougherty covers boys soccer, boys lacrosse, girls basketball and golf for The Journal News/lohud.com. He can be reached at mdougher@lohud.com, or on Twitter @hoopsmbd, @lohudlacrosse, @lohudhoopsmbd and @lohudgolf.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud boys lacrosse bronxville beats briararcliff 10-9 in overtime