Big Macs Edge Out Moon Tigers in 'Huge Victory'

By Gary Beam

In a game that could have ended any hopes of making this year’s WPIAL boy’s Lacrosse playoffs, the Canon-McMillan Big Macs toughed out a huge victory on the road Wednesday night over the Moon Area Tigers by a final score of 11-9.

As a strong weather front made its way through the area in the early evening, high winds and a cold, wet rain made conditions miserable for both players and spectators alike. But as everyone hunkered down to take battle, it was soon apparent that the contest would be long and exciting because Canon-Mac would never lead by more than two goals at the end of any quarter and the result was
in the balance until Josh Minor sealed the game with a goal with only 26 seconds remaining in the game.

The Big Macs held leads of 3-2 and 5-3 at the end of the first and second quarters, respectively, with Senior Richie Leeds launching the Big Mac attack early with two first period tallies. Ben Ward, Conner Niemeyer and Nick Carr added first half scores to give Canon-Mac the close lead at the break.

However the Tigers came out strong in the third quarter with four goals of their own and Leeds and Niemeyer answered to maintain a slim one goal margin at the end of three quarters 7-6. But the visitors were able to repel the Tigers fourth quarter come back when Isaac Miles, Carr, Leeds and Minor put down the uprising with huge final quarter goals.

The Big Macs return home to play Wheeling Central Catholic Friday night. The win takes the Big Mac record to 9-3 overall and 1-2 in the all-import Division 2, Section 2 standings.