John Jay Doesn’t Let the Weather Cool their Game in Victory over Carmel

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On Tuesday April 7, John Jay hosted Carmel at Contest Field, and the cold winds were hard to miss. John Jay didn’t take long to warm up, though, and cooked hot the rest of the way home.

The Wolves scored two quick goals and went onto an easy 11-3 win.

The game began with the home team winning the faceoff, but Dom Zaino made a pair of saves to keep the Wolves at bay. No problem, John Jay maintained possession, and James Tesi made the most of setting up behind the net. The sophomore hit Dash Stewart in front, and he crashed the net for a 1-0 lead with 9:07 left in the first.

A minute later, the duo changed it up. Stewart charged down the middle, and the pass going left, Tesi forced his way down Zaino’s throat. In deep, there was no holding the attacker back, and Jay now led 2-0.

In at 8:13, Carmel won the subsequent draw. Holding on was another matter, though. Tough interior defense kept the Rams at arm’s length until Dino Rajamani forced a turnover with an overhead chop. Nicholas Harris got the scoop, and the Wolves were off to the races.

On the setup, Riley McMahon hit the post, and Rajamani’s swing across the field had Zaino’s catcher intervening. Unfortunately for the visitors, the goalie’s proficiency didn’t make going on attack any easier.

John Jay forced another turnover and the offense proved just as persistent. With the yellow flag up in the air, Tesi spotted John Hartney teed up at the 20, and at 4:47, his projectile opened 3-0 lead for the home team.

Unable to capitalize on the actual advantage, John Jay got the ball back soon enough, and the yellow went flying again. At 2:15, the Wolves set up, and the impetus began behind the net again. Hartney over to Nicholas Harris on the goal line and his pass out to Rajamani occupied prime real estate. Closing with a sidearm, the lead extended to four.

The draw to Carmel, and Blake O’Callaghan got a chance to reach the heights. At close range, the goalie got the deflection first and then out leaped the Carmel attacker to close the forst quarter.

Onto the second period, Carmel won the opening face, but the same story was told. Too much defense for the Rams to penetrate, and John Jay scooped the loose ball in front of O’Callaghan. A few missed shots later, James Tesi wrapped around from behind and his jump hook shot at 10:17 made for a 5-0 lead.

Moments later, Carmel got another look at the come from behind and did no better. This time Holden Hughes swung from behind, and his sidearm extended the lead to six with 8:52 left in the half.

Carmel did answer with two straight goals, and at 6:56, the Rams went on a two man advantage. They patiently worked the ball, but O’Callaghan was ho hum when the shot finally flew. The senior calmly reached up with his catcher, and any notion of a comeback was snatched away.

Back the other way, Tesi made sure. First he assisted Stewart, and with 3:20 left in the half, he was on the receiving end of a Cody Jones steal and Jack Casey’s assist. Onto the second half, John Jay stuck to the program. Efficient passing, sustained defensive pressure and great goaltending mandated the outcome.

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