BRISTOL — The City of Bristol was treated to an epic and intense battle between the St. Paul Falcons and the Bristol Boy Lacrosse Co-op team Friday night at Bristol Eastern High School.
The at the time undefeated Falcons initially flew to a 5-1 lead to open the game, but after steady playing with poise despite a chippy battle Bristol hawked down St. Paul to eventually defeat their city-rival 13-11.
Bristol Co-op coach Eric Bell said the team started slowly and didn’t come out of the first whistle strong. He said it takes a lot of heart, determination and composure to stay in the game down 5-1.
“We know we have the skill and we have the talent to pull through and wake up and we did,” Bell said. “It was a hell of a game. Those boys battled. St. Paul put in a big time effort and I think we answered the call so I’m just proud of these boys.”
The victory over St. Paul improved Bristol’s record to 3-1 while also delivering the Falcons their first loss of the season. Bell said the team has developed and taken a step forward with every game.
“It’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint. We just have to get better everyday in practice and every game we have to take that next step, but we’re doing it,” Bell said. “We have a long way to go, but I think these guys have the right plan and the right mindset to do it.”
While it’s still early in the season Bell said the areas that the team needs to work on are simply the small things. During Bristol’s 13-12 overtime loss to E.O. Smith two days before taking on St. Paul, Bristol dropped the ball a lot.
Bell said against St. Paul Bristol improved in that area, but threw the ball away a few times. He said it's the simple things like passing and catching that they have to pick up on.
“We can do it, but we have to do it all the time,” Bell said. “Passing and catching, you can’t afford to lose the ball. Maintain possession.”
One area that Bell believes is the team’s strong suit is their leadership. He said from top to bottom these players hold themselves accountable.
“I think we have great leadership on this team. Our three captains do a great job leading the team and we have some juniors and seniors who really do things the right way,” he said. “These guys come in and there’s great leadership on this team from the top to bottom. The bottom follows suit and I’m just impressed with them.”
Bristol will return to the field Tuesday to face Wethersfield at home at 6:30 p.m. As for St. Paul they will hope to get back on track Monday at 7 p.m. at Watertown.
Bell said the St. Paul and Bristol rivalry is good for the city and one that should be played each year.
“I love it. I love having these guys here. It’s great to have the rivalry in town,” he said. “It’s great when St. Paul and Bristol play and this is one of the better crowds that we’ve had in the last three years and that’s attributed to both Bristol and the St. Paul and the following they have. I think coach [Byron] Catroppa is doing a good job over there with his boys and I think together we have a good future for lacrosse in Bristol.”
