SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Roller Hockey

Falcons fly past Lancers, 8-5

By Phillip Brents

NATIONAL CITY, Dec. 17 -- They don't make them like this one very often in the Metro Conference. But when they do, it is a classic.

Scripps Ranch held off a valiant effort by the next superstar duo to skate in South County rinks by holding off Hilltop's Lancers for an 8-5 victory in a non-league game at Skate San Diego. The Falcons, who improved to 4-0-0 with the win, led early 3-1 before Hilltop evened the score early in the second period at 3-3. Leading 5-4 at the end of the middle period, Scripps Ranch finally was able to put some distance between the pesky tandem of senior Carl Horten and Erick Morgan by scoring the first three goals of the final period.

"They have some good players -- Erick Morgan and Carl Horten. It was a good game. It was a fun game. It was a fast game. I wish every game was like that. But you can't beat us with just two players," said Falcons head coach Greg Friedman after the win.

"A well played game," noted Hilltop coach Dan Vaccaro.

Dan Comrie led Scripps Ranch offensively with five goals and two assists -- placing his personal stamp on seven of his team's goals. Older brother Rick Comrie recorded five assists while Andrew Woodfine, Jennings Brieck and Greg Best all scored single goals in support of starting goaltender Brandon George.

Morgan had the opening two goals for the Lancers while Horten contributed a goal and two assists in the game that involved tight checking in front of the Falcon net.

Dan Comrie gave Scripps Ranch the jump-goal lead a minute into the contest but Morgan, set up by Horten, leveled the score midway through the period. The Falcons added a pair of goals in the final 5:30 of the opening period to lead 3-1. However, Morgan scored to the top corner to finish a rush initiated by a pass from Horten. Another Hilltop goal tied the game but only briefly before Dan Comrie struck for his hat trick goal to give the Falcons a 4-3 edge -- and a lead they would not relinquish.

Friedman put his finger squarely on what other teams have failed to match: Depth. It once again proved a killer equation.

"I have two freshmen and a sophomore who are getting a good amount of playing time. I'm sitting some seniors on the bench," Friedman said.

It's a luxury few high school roller hockey teams in any league in San Diego County can match.

Eastlake 9, Mar Vista 4

Playing without standout Chad McElroy, the Titans put together a solid team game to defeat a hungry Mariners squad en route to extending their meteoric start to the season to 5-0-0. Freshman Adrian Rodriguez stepped up to shoulder the offensive load, scoring five goals and one assist. Eastlake also received two goals from Justin Rodriguez and single goals from Daniel Nuferette and Jeremy Link. Mike Cerwonka was the play-maker with four assists while freshman goaltender Dustin Tewilliager stood on his head for much of the early going to allow his teammates amass a key 5-0 lead.

Tony Arciga paced Mar Vista with two goals while Willy Amador had a goal and assist. Daniel Rumsey had one goal while Clint Jones had one assist.

Sweetwater 9, Southwest 0

Marvey Ferrer had three goals and two assists and teammate Richard Kolerich contributed three goals and one assist as the Red Devils rolled past the Raiders. Danny Diaz, Ivan Arvizo and Marco Munoz each had a goal and assist while Ken Villasana added a pair of assists.