LACROSSE TEAM STARTS SEASON WITH SOLID RECORD
By COOPER BROCK
Tonight the boys varsity lacrosse team faces off against Colonial. Last week, they boys beat rival Winter Park This season, WP is ranked 7th in the region, with Boone in 10th. WP’s team is made of players who have played together since youth leagues.
Eight games into their season, the boys’ varsity lacrosse team came out swinging with a 6-2 start.
According to sophomore John Kissick, the team has taken advantage of their relatively easy start. Kissick, a starting forward, broke school scoring records as a freshman and has scored 15 goals to date.
Halfway into the season, the boys have created a solid foundation on which they can build upon as they head into the more challenging games.
“We have a lot of tough opponents but none that we can’t handle. We have a strong offense and though we haven’t put up big numbers, we have the talent to succeed,” Kissick said.
Timber Creek turned out to be more than they could handle as they lost 8-18. Though scoring eight goals, Timber Creek found gaps in the defense and were able to attack the goal.
Team goals include winning a third district title and having a well-played season. With a major district game tonight looming over the team, they will focus on playing their strengths.
“Our defense is the backbone of the team, and players like Spencer Wiles, Brandon Velasquez and Michael McDowell are a major part of that,” coach Elliot Whitton said.
Between them, Wiles, Velasquez and McDowell have recovered 57 ground balls, performed two assists and have served 16.5 minutes in the penalty box. Sophomore goalie Thomas McClane is also a major part of the defensive effort with 47 saves to keep the boys in the running for districts.
“The key offensive players are mainly Billy McClellan and Andrew Conley. They been on the team for a while so they’re smarter and know what to do,” McClane said.
McClellan, a starting forward, has scored 8 out of 19 attempts, and has performed 15 assists. Conley has scored 11 of 46 attempts, performed 11 assists and recovered 23 ground balls.
If the boys manage to beat Colonial tonight they will be 7-2, and depending on the performance during the game, they could overtake WP in the rankings.