The FVHS Bengals secured a big win 18-10 on Monday, Mar. 24, at Garner High School. Led by standout performances from senior attackers, Fuquay’s offense overwhelmed Garner, while strong faceoff and defensive play kept the Trojans from a comeback.
The Bengals racked up 18 goals, with 11 assists on 53 total shots. Senior Connor Everett led the game scoring six goals, adding two assists, for an overall eight point performance. Senior Connor Castle was equally as impressive, tallying five goals and four assists, ending with nine points overall.
Nick Ratnesar contributed in all facets of the game, scoring two goals, four assists and winning an astounding 24 out of 25 faceoffs. Logan Tremblay locked in and scored two goals with one assist and Hayden Farrish also scored a point for the scoreboard. Underclassmen Ben Cole and Ezikiel Meinhardt both capitalized on their lone shot attempts.
Fuquay’s ability to control possession was key in their win. They succeeded in 25 of 31 faceoffs, with a .806%. Rat’s near perfect execution at the faceoff gave the Bengals a constant edge in offensive opportunities.
“The team is always focused on each other, seeing when someones down, helping them up and getting them back into the game. Our coach also does an amazing job giving pregame and halftime speeches,” said senior Logan Amos. “Rat’s performance was amazing, the best game of his life.”
Defensively, the Bengals collected 29 ground balls, with Rat leading the way collecting 11. Connor Everett and senior Joseph Perez each added three and two ground balls, respectively, limiting the Trojans offensive efficiency. Despite a few turnovers and penalties, the Bengals’ aggressive defensive efforts and transition play helped keep the Trojans at bay.
Fuquay’s goalies split time in the cage, with senior Ben Thrift letting in seven shots out of 30. Junior Lucas Prestipino let in three out of 18. While the Bengals allowed ten goals, their offensive production far outpaced Garner’s scoring efforts.
With this win, the Bengals will continue to build momentum heading into the second half of their season. If Fuquay can maintain its offensive efficiency and faceoff dominance, they will remain a strong contender in conference play. Show up and support your Bengals at their next game at home on Thursday Mar. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
