Brighton drops a second heartbreaker, 4-3, to Penfield after holding 2-0 lead

For the second time in two road games, Brighton scored first but was unable to maintain the lead as the Barons dropped another one-goal game on Saturday, 4-3, at Penfield.

Patriots coach John Butterworth feels his team can be explosive, and his team backed up his opinion in their season opener versus the Barons.

After a scoreless first half, due to a pair of exceptional saves by Penfield goalie Eric DeHond, and several by Brighton keeper Nick Zarcone.

"Their goalie had about six saves," Butterworth said. "We had the better play and had to settle for zero-zero.

"The second half, I made a tactical adjustment that we didn't react very well to, and it ended up with a quick ball in the net."

The Barons scored twice within three minutes less than four minutes into the second half that sparked a combined seven-goal second half.

"That is what high school sports is all about," said Brighton coach Dan Wilmot. "Being in the throws of it you get caught up in the moment. To watch these kids fight as hard as they did, it was fun on both sides. They both really worked as hard as they could and played for each other, and that is what this is all about."

Freshman David Medina put the visitors in front and senior Dan Thornton made it 2-0.

Penfield ralied back to knot the count at 2-2 on goals by sophomore Ben Swanger and senior Andrew Para.

"We showed we can be explosive," Butterworth said. "We got some nice goals. We just don't want to have to score three or four to win."

The wind, blowing across the field from the stands to the team benches, played a part as Brighton regained the lead on an own goal by Penfield, 3-2.

Senior Mike Lindenmayer attempted to clear the ball, but miss hit it, and the wind took it past junior goalie Dan Lynd, who played the second half in the Patriot net.

"Mike Lindenmayer didn't deserve that," Butterworth said. "He had a great match, other than that ball off the foot.

"Ben Swanger was really strong for us out of the stopper spot. I just felt our guys fought through the adversity of the first match, being behind, getting a little tired, not quite up to game fitness. We just made our minds up that we were going to win that game, and we figured out a way to get it done."

However, the Patriots did not quit as senior Alex Swanger was sent in alone on  Zarcone and scored to even the count at 3-3 about a minute later.

Alex Swanger netted the game-winner with 10:13 left in regulation.

"He's going to be one of the very best forwards in Section 5," said Butterworth.

The Barons nearly tie the game in the final minute as a shot over the crossbar by inches.

"I'd love to see the tape and to see how close it was," Wilmot said. "The thing I love about my guys is that it's a never-say-die attitude. I'm going to play to the final whistle and leave it on the field."

Brighton is 0-2 on the season after dropping a 2-1 match to Webster Thomas in their season opener, after taking a 1-0 lead on the Titans.

"We've played two solid games against two solid teams and we haven't gotten the results yet," said Wilmot. "But take nothing away from the way these kids are working. I'm really proud of them right now.

"We'll get there, it's still early."