Riverview Rams @ Tampa Jesuit Tigers

Recap

“You only get better by playing the teams above you!”
The Rams traveled to Tampa, knowing just that; this would be the toughest game of the season so far for the Rams.  Prior to the game, Jesuit was ranked #24 in Nation, and #3 in Division 1A in Florida. FLN’s Lee Roggenburg stated during his YouTube Channel “Morning Coffee With FLN” on Friday morning, that “this should be a terrific matchup,” and boy was he right.

It would take a huge defensive effort by the Rams and timely scoring for the offense to defeat the previously undefeated Jesuit Tigers (9-1).  In the 4th quarter, with 9:40 remaining on the clock, Jesuit Junior, Chase Minacci put the Tiger’s up by 3 points with an impressive behind the back score and a 9-6 advantage.  Down by 2 goals, and only 3:10 left on the clock, Riverview’s coach DeLisser called a timeout, and it was just what he Rams needed, as :15 seconds later, Riverview’s Blake Quigley would find Ken Kaiser cutting to the front of the goal for a quick shot and score, pulling the Rams within one with 2:54 remaining. With the Rams down 9-8, and just :28 seconds remaining, Junior Ken Kaiser scored again to force the game into overtime.  It took nearly the entire 4 minute overtime before the game was finally decided, when, with just :24 seconds remaining and with the Rams “Man-up”, Kevin Southerland found Freshman JC Fleming who was able to shoot just above GLE for the game-winning goal.

The winning goal was setup by the heads-up play of Rams’ goalie Chris Johnson, who’s quick action on a wide shot by Jesuit’s Colin Kruger enabled him to get ahead of the Tiger’s attacker as the ball went out-of-bounds, to turn possession over to Riverview with less than a minute to play in the overtime.  Senior Tyler Horiuchi received the clear and took the ball the length of the field and drew a hard cross-check penalty in the back which put the Rams “man-up” with less than 30 seconds to go in the overtime.  The entire play is our “Highlight-of-the-Week.”

In the end, four different Rams would have 3-point games.  Blake Quigley (1G/2A), Ken Kaiser (3G), Will Evans (2G/1A), and Kevin Southerland (2G/1A).  Chris Johnson was stellar in goal with 15 saves, including 2 key saves in the overtime.

Jesuit Scoring Summary: So. #22 Colin Kruger (4 Goals), Jr. #14 Chase Minacci (4 Goals).  Jesuit’s FOGO, Scott Moore was nearly perfect at face-off, going 18-for-22.