(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) RALLY TIME: Hun School attacker Chris Trombino heads to goal last Thursday in Hun's come-from-behind 6-5 win over East Chapel Hill (N.C). The Raiders trailed 5-1 with 4:35 left in the game before Trombino scored to start a five-goal run that resulted in victory for the Raiders in their season opener.

Trombino Makes Sudden Impact in Debut as Hun Boys' Lax Rallies to Win Opener

Bill Alden

Chris Trombino got off to a slow start in his debut last Thursday with the Hun School boys' lacrosse team.

The post-graduate attacker, a native of Huntington Station, N.Y., was repeatedly thwarted as Hun trailed East Chapel Hill (N.C.) 5-1 late in the fourth quarter on a blustery day that saw a snow shower affect play at one point.

Then with four minutes left in regulation, Trombino found the back of the net to trigger a Hun rally which saw it score three more goals to knot the game at 5-5 with 1:12 remaining.

Gaining possession with seconds left, Hun sophomore midfielder Brendan Gallagher capped the unlikely comeback as he fired in a goal in the last second to give the Raiders a dramatic 6-5 triumph.

After participating in a raucous on-field celebration, Trombino acknowledged that it took a while for Hun to find its rhythm. "I think it was first game syndrome, we were working out some kinks," said Trombino.

"I thought in the first three quarters we had great opportunities but we just weren't finishing. I think they had played 10 games or something and we were out there for the first game; we had a lot of jitters."

Heading into the final period, Hun decided that it was time to overcome those nerves. "Before the fourth quarter, we got in the huddle and we decided that we didn't want to start off our season this way," recalled Trombino, a Johns Hopkins lax recruit who is the younger brother of Princeton University star Peter Trombino. "We came back and fought hard."

Trombino sensed that his goal might get Hun on a run. "I thought we definitely needed a goal there," said Trombino, who assisted on a goal a minute later by Colin Rosenblum. "I saw an opening in the crease and Colin found me in front of the cage."

In Trombino's view, Hun's fourth quarter display which saw the squad tally five goals in the last 4:35, could be a harbinger of things to come.

"We were starting to finally play our game," said Trombino. "I think towards the end of the game we found the crease and had a bunch of assisted goals. I think we showed in the fourth quarter that we can really play some great lacrosse."

Hun head coach Greg Provenzano thought his team showed some great character. "I told them after the game that I was so impressed by how they came back like that," said Provenzano. "I didn't want us to go down 5-1. Win or lose they came back and tied the game; they never gave up."

Provenzano acknowledged that a comeback didn't look like it was in the cards for most of the afternoon. "Our offense didn't start moving at all," said Provenzano.

"They were sliding early and we needed to start cutting a bit and creating more movement. They got us for three quarters. They were a very physical team and they taught us how to hit."

Provenzano wasn't surprised that Trombino played a big role in triggering the comeback. "He's a veteran; he's got a lot of experience," said Provenzano, who also credited Rosenblum and Joe Deane with making some big plays up front. "When he's got the ball, he's going to make things happen."

Gallagher certainly made things happen as he fired in the winning goal. "Brendan made a big play; it's being around the ball," said Provenzano. "I tell them all the time when in doubt, just be around the ball. Anything can happen."

Hun was lucky to have senior goalie Trey Geier stopping the ball as he made several key saves that kept the Raiders in the game as their offense struggled. "Trey had a great game," said Provenzano, whose team hosts Peddie on April 11, plays at Voorhees on April 13 and then hosts Montclair Kimberley on April 14. "He made key saves. He has the presence of mind to be a leader; he did a terrific job."

Trombino, for his part, is having a terrific time at Hun. "I'm loving it; the guys are great and the coaches are great," said Trombino "This was a great way to start. I just want to have a great season and win as many games as we can and go from there."

Return to Previous Sports Story | Return to Top | Go to Next Story