Cardinals handle Warriors to stay perfect

By Mark Lidbetter, September 5th, 2012

The LaSalle Warriors AAA mosquitoes had a definite shot at handing the Alexander Park Cardinals their first loss of the 2012 campaign but bad luck and bad timing cost the Warriors that chance as the Cards improved to 4-0 following a 28-12 victory over LaSalle.
“The ball definitely didn't fall our way today,” LaSalle coach Nicky McGuire said. “We played a better second half but it wasn't enough against a good team like Alexander Park.”
The Cards got off to a quick start as quarterback Justin Hyrcowian hooked-up with his favorite target Giancarlo Tonks for an 87 yard pass and run for six. Matthew Cadogan was good on the convert kick for a pair of points to make it 8-0 Cardinals 55 seconds into the match.
While the Warriors' offensive unit worked at getting untracked, the LaSalle defense dug in to keep the Cards from getting to far out in front.
Over the course of the game the Warriors defense stuffed the Cardinals on first and goal situations and Olivier Leguerrier had a pair of picks in the loss.
Hyrcowian scored his first of two majors when he took the ball the final yard in the second frame to make it a 14-0 cushion for the home side.
LaSalle ran out of time on the Alexander Park goal line as the first half expired with the Cards still holding a 14-0 lead.
With 8:10 remaining in the third quarter Sunny Letourneau powered in to give the Cards a 20-0 advantage.
LaSalle quarterback got six for his squad early in the fourth as Eljames Aiguomuda ran the final yard to paydirt making it a 20-6 contest.
Warrior Malik Braithwaite-Weeks made an inspired 15 yard carry to make it a 20-12 game. That would be as good as it would get for LaSalle as Hyrcowian added another TD on a one yard plunge and Cadogan kicked for two to close out the game at 28-12.
“I have a great deal of respect for this team (LaSalle),” Cardinals coach Emilio Taddio said. “They play tough and all out. It was a good challenge for us, especially missing four players today but some of our first year players stepped up their game.”