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Newburyport escapes tilt with Division 1 foe Central Catholic with tie

Thursday, January, 10 By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor

It seemed like a recipe for disaster.

Newburyport at Central Catholic.

A Clipper squad that has been nothing if inconsistent this season vs. a Raider team that qualified for the Super 8 Tournament last winter.

A Cape Ann League also-ran through six games vs. a Division 1 powerhouse.

But Newburyport coach Paul Yameen scheduled the game for a reason. And his team didn't make him regret it.

The Clippers matched Central Catholic for 45 minutes last evening at J. Thom Lawler Arena on the Merrimack College campus, earning a point with a 3-3 tie. Kevin Holmes tallied two goals and an assist for the Clippers (3-3-1). Collin Cusack added a goal and an assist. Sean Hickman and Dave Freeman had one assist each.

Tim Houston led Central Catholic (4-4-2) with a goal and an assist. Mark Brien and Cam Fisichelli scored one goal each. Justin Kurek, Brendan Slein and Shane Leanord has assists. For Newburyport, the tie snaps a pattern of lose-a-game, win-a-game that started with a season-opening loss to Masconomet. It marks the second time the Clippers have overcame a two-goal deficit to escape with at least a point. They also trailed Pentucket 3-0 in a 6-4 win Dec. 24.

"We considered this one of our bigger games of the season," Holmes said. "They're such a quick team. This could be the start of something big for us."

The Clippers looked every bit the underdog in the opening period, getting outshot 14-4 en route to a 2-0 deficit. But the second period belonged to the Clippers thanks to a pair of Holmes goals.

The Clippers actually held a brief 3-2 third-period lead after Cusack deposited a perfect Holmes pass from right in front of the crease at 7:02. Central Catholic forward Cam Fisichelli netted the tying goal six seconds later.

"I think this is going to be a huge confidence builder," Newburyport coach Paul Yameen said. "We have a lot of young guys out there. It could've gotten ugly when we fell behind 2-0. I'm proud of the way we answered the call and showed what we were made of."

Central Catholic is the first of three nonleague opponents Yameen specifically scheduled with the intent of testing his team's metal entering the EMass. Division 2 North Tournament. The Clippers also host 2006 EMass. Division 2 state champion Gloucester Feb. 2. They will play at Division 2 South powerhouse Franklin Feb. 19.

"These games will make us a better team in the long run," Yameen said. "Our nonleague schedule is what it is for a reason. We always look to progress and get better throughout the year. Games like this will do that for us."