FAIRPORT — Batavia/Notre Dame United felt good about itself, holding a 2-1 advantage entering the third period of Friday’s matchup with 2021-22 sectional semifinalist McQuaid. But as is the case in sports, positivity can soon turn sour, and that turned out to be the case for B/ND in what developed into a 4-2 Friday night defeat at the hands of the Jesuit Knights.
Goals from Jameson Motyka and Ivan Milovidov helped United seize the advantage entering the final period, but McQuaid tied the score with six minutes to play, scored again with three minutes to go and then potted an empty-net goal late in the final stanza. Frankie Falleti made 21 saves on 24 shots, but it wasn’t enough as United finished 0-for-2 on the power play and came up just short.
“Tough night. They are an excellent team,” said B/ND head coach Marc Staley, whose team falls to 3-1. “I thought we played well at times, but we were not sharp mentally tonight and a few poor decisions will cost you the game against the top teams. We have to learn to close these games out. More poise. Better execution under pressure.”
Despite the difficult defeat, Staley has appreciated what he’s seen from his team in the early going of the regular season.
“There’s a reason for the season. We will learn from this,” said the United head coach. “Our 3-1 record through four games is pretty good. We play a very solid Greece team next Tuesday night at Lakeshore, and then we will Host the McCarthy Memorial Christmas Tourney next weekend featuring Geneva, Iroquois and undefeated Niagara Wheatfield. We will rest tomorrow and Sunday, and get back at it on Monday.”
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