Game Preview: Chaminade (NY) at St. Anthonys (NY)

1_bbg3amnp Some news and notes in advance of this evenings CHSAA matchup as Chaminade travels to St. Anthonys.

THE TEAMS HAVE MET ALREADY THIS SEASON

These two teams meet twice annually in the regular season and almost always a third time in the CHSAA final. Tonight will be the second of those presumed three games for 2013.

The first meeting occurred April 10 at Chaminade, where the Flyers took a 10-6 decision.

Recent history has favored Chaminade in the regular season, but St. Anthonys in the final. St. Anthonys has won the past four championship games (2009-2012), while Chaminade has reeled off five consecutive regular season victories. The last win for the Friars in the regular season came on May 13, 2010.

DEFENSE vs. DEFENSE

Both of these teams have been excellent defensively this season.

Chaminade comes into the game having given up fewer than six goals in all but one of their games a 12-8 loss to Yorktown. Meanwhile, St. Anthonys has also only allowed double-digits once, and that was in the aforementioned 10-6 setback to the Flyers in April.

With goals at a premium, look out for unsettled situations and fast-break goals to be crucial.

KEEP AN EYE ON: DISTRACTIONS

On paper, this matchup is nearly even. When you add the familiarity of the teams, you can largely throw away records, statistics and similar metrics. Often, games between these two simply comes down execution on a given day.

There will be plenty of distractions for this one. The night-atmosphere for the game at St. Anthonys is always electric and usually a very well attended affair. Also, the weather in New York is unsettled today and could also play a role.

Whichever team is able to limit these distractions and focus on execution should have an edge.

Excited for this evenings matchup, Chapter 11 in LR News Spring Coverage. Be sure to follow @SpikeMal for score updates after each quarter.

Chapters 1-10 of our Spring Coverage:

For Chapter 10, Greenwich (CT) at Darien (CT) video, click here

For Chapter 9, Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival video, click here

For Chapter 8, St. Ignatius (CA) at Chaminade (NY) video, click here

For Chapter 7, Chatham (NJ) at Mendham (NJ) video, click here

For Chapter 6, Smithtown West (NY) at Ward Melville (NY) video, click here

For Chapter 5, Darien (CT) at Wilton (CT) video, click here

For Chapter 4: Cherry Creek (CO) at Moorestown (NJ) video, click here

For Chapter 3: Boys Latin (MD) at Conestoga (PA) video, click here

For Chapter 2: La Salle (PA) at Garden City (NY) video, click here