JV first stringer Brandon Juodikis delivered the first Novi goal early in the game, but throughout most of the first half, the Wildcats watched the Rats put one goal after another into the net. A superior passing game, and a large and powerful defense paid dividends for Huron.

As halftime approached, Jeff Lemieux pushed the score to 6-2 (Huron) with a smooth goal play.

The JV team benefited from access to freshman Taylor Howell, who was redeployed from varsity to play for JV against Huron. Howell was responsible for two of the three goals Novi posted in the second half. In other personnel changes for this game, Zach Mohr was in the net, substituting for Dan Burris, who had been called to varsity for the day.

In the third quarter, Howell’s goal went up early, and the quarter ended with the score at 7-3. On a Mohr pass from the net, Steve Lazarus stretched for a high reception to prevent a Huron turnover; and Vince Gasparotto delivered a great effort in holding off the River Rats in a drive for the net. Play became more and more aggressive by the moment, as the Wildcats tried to regain control of the game.

Taylor’s second goal (in the 4th quarter) slid past a very capable Huron goalie. Novi took plenty of shots on goal throughout the game. However, particularly in the second half, it took real skill to get into the net.

Huron racked up a few more points against Novi, putting the score at 10f-4 with just over 4 minutes remaining on the clock. The Wildcats played aggressively all the way to the end, and Brandon Juodikis came through with a second goal in the final minute of play. The clock ran out on the Wildcats, sending Huron home with a 10-5 win.

This JV LAX Cats now enter the final week of their season, with two final games against Ann Arbor Pioneer (Tuesday, May 13) and South Lyon (Thursday, May 15).