Chase Fraser and Tanner Fisher paced Blue Ridge offensively. With the defense playing lights out, Goal keeper Nick Vaso stood tall in net to keep North Cross to just two goals in the first three quarters. Cory Takahara was a ground ball machine to bridge the gap between the offense and defense. In all, it was one of those complete team performances that allowed the Barons to a 12-4 win over the Raiders to a VIC championship and head forward with plenty of momentum into the VISAA Division 1 tournament.
“We got the lead at first but North Cross clawed back on us,” said Barons coach Kyle Gardener. “But we had the lead, did a good job of working with it and it really was a back and forth game with two teams playing hard. We came out in the second half with a bit more energy, more enthusiasm and widen that gap.”
Blue Ridge got off to a strong 4-0 start in the first quarter starting with a goal from Fisher followed by Faser, Pace and Takahara in a four minute stretch.
“The first half we just went with what we always do – moving the ball around and try and find a cutter,” Fraser said. “It was all about open shots. If you had it, you took it.”
While North Cross answered with two goals to close the first, the Barons outscored the visitors 6-0 over the next two frames. Fraser, Andrew Risse and Rylee Marsh all found the net in the second. With the pace slowing down in the third Blue Ridge took its time and went after efficient shots. Fraser, Fisher and long stick midfielder Quinton Pavon made it a 10-2 contest going into the fourth.
“Our third quarters are normally pretty slow,” Fraser said. “But coach said this is one of our final games so we had to give it what we’ve got.”
With the game in hand, Blue Ridge traded goals with North Cross with Fisher netting his third and fourth goal and his team closing out the last two penalty ridden minutes.
“We came out and played hard, followed the game plan and communication was key,” Vaso said. “Early on (North Cross) tried to be patient, put us to sleep and find cutters. But our defense talked us through it and found all their guys.”
Takahara had 15 ground balls on the night. Fisher put together a 6-point afternoon with four goals and two assists. Fraser had four points with three goals and an assist. Tyler Pace was instrumental in the setup for Blue Ridge, accounting for four assists to put together a 5-point game. The Barons took seven of the 11 faceoffs, almost all of which were lengthy battles.
It’s been a wild two weeks for the Barons who thought they were on the outside looking in playoffs wise heading into a markee matchup with Woodberry Forest. Since winning that 1-goal game they’ve outscored their opponents 89-14 in four straight wins. Coming into the week Blue Ridge held a sixth seed and the tournament run should only cement their position in the middle of the field.
“We’re feeling pretty good right now and we feel like we can play with anyone,” Vaso said. “We’re playing as team. The offense is good, defense is good and the transition game is working. If we keep it up we’re going to be fine.”
The Barons (14-3) await their the VISAA seeding which will come out today.
