Feliziani's faceoff wins help Episcopal top Hill School

With crisp passing and patient prodding, a lacrosse team can dominate the offensive side of the field. A team cannot do that, however, if it cannot first possess the ball.

Perhaps that is why 5-foot-7 junior Christian Feliziani is one of the biggest players for Episcopal Academy.

In a 5-4 victory over the Hill School in the Inter-Ac Challenge on Wednesday night, the junior faceoff man won 12 of his 13 attempts at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken.

His only faceoff loss did not occur until 4 minutes, 51 seconds remained in the fourth quarter.

"Possessions are huge," Feliziani said. "I try to do whatever I can and also our wing guys, because our attack men have put up some crazy numbers this year and I just want to get them the ball and let them do their thing. Possessions are huge in this game."

The Churchmen certainly didn't dominate offensively, but in a game decided by one goal, every possession counted.

Trailing by 3-1, in the second quarter, the Hill School sent a 6-4 player into the faceoff X.

With a quick flip, however, Feliziani secured the ball.

"He's too ... quick!" senior Christopher Friedman screamed.

"Yeah, I was looking up at him," Feliziani said, smiling. "Just quick hands, get the ball out of there and get the ground ball. It's not about size.

"My whole life everyone tells me that size matters," he added, "but to me it really doesn't. It's the size of your heart. I don't really get into that stuff. It's just whoever I have to face off against, I'm ready to work."

The offensive work came from Fred Haab, who finished with a pair of goals. Friedman broke a 3-3 tie with 37 seconds left in the third. Curtis Zappala added some insurance in the fourth.

Aidan Coll led Hill School with a pair of goals.

"Our defense played a [heck] of a game," Feliziani said. "Our offense, we don't always click and tonight was definitely not our best night, but we're going to work on a couple things and get ready for the Hun School [on Friday at PPL Park]."

Feliziani, who has committed to Ohio State, hopes for a rematch against Haverford School, which beat Penn Charter, 10-3, on Wednesday. Three goals apiece for Billy Coyle and Drew Schantz helped Malvern past Lawrenceville, 11-6.

"Of course we want another shot at our rival, Haverford School," Feliziani said. "But, one step at a time. The Hill School is a good team, and we executed when we had to. Now, we're ready for the Hun School."

Episcopal Academy 3 1 0 1 - 5

Hill School 1 2 0 1 - 4

EA: Fred Haab 2, Curtis Zappala, Chris Friedman, Jake Martellucci.

HS: Aidan Coll 2, Will Schantz, Jason Bram.

Saves: HS-Chase Midgley 6; EA-Colin Reder 4.

@AceCarterINQ