Even before its state championship boys basketball team would complete its season, Westhill was seeing its boys lacrosse team start its own championship quest.
Close to the crown in recent years, the Warriors, moved from Class C to D in the switch to four classes this spring, began its 2017 campaign last Thursday night with a solid all-around effort against General Brown as it beat the Lions 15-6.
Things were settled early, with Westhill racing out to a 6-1 advantage by the end of the first quarter. It did the exact same thing in the third quarter, stretching out its margin on GB to 15-3 before resting its starters late.
As expected, senior star Casey Rogers led the way, scoring four times and tacking on five assists. Often, his passes went to Luke McAnaney, who also notched four goals, plus a single assist.
Jack Miller chimed in with two goals and two assists as Charlie Bolesh had a goal and two assists. Ryan Gilmartin, Owen Matukas, Brandon Elmer and Andrew Hodgens also produced single tallies.
Two days later, Bishop Ludden, making its return to the varsity lacrosse ranks, and Jordan-Elbridge opened up against each other, and it turned into a thriller, lingering into overtime before the Eagles prevailed 12-11 on Hunter Brunelle’s goal.
Ludden was only a JV team in 2016, but under head coach Bill Mulhern, the Gaelic Knights moved back to the top level this spring in a combined effort with Bishop Grimes, and it nearly won against a far more established J-E side.
Trailing 2-1 after one period, Ludden broke out for five goals in the second quarter and went in front. Going into the final period, the Gaelic Knights still were ahead, 8-7, but the Eagles fought its way back even at 11-11.
Hunter Brunelle’s OT game-winner was his second goal of the game, part of a well-balanced J-E attack. Colby Falcone led with three goals and two assists, while Evan Brunelle joined his brother in the two-goal column, as did Dylan Dunham and Dale Wagner, who each added an assist. Jacob Schwarting had the other goal and Chris Ryan got two assists.
On Ludden’s side, Bailey Martin, with four goals and one assist, set the pace. Dom Delvecchio was close behind as he got three goals and one assist. Ethan Gentile contributed two goals and one assist as single tallies went to Jacob Carter and Zach Delaney. Chris Hurley, in goal, recorded 10 saves, two less than J-E’s tandem of Sam Everett and Steve Tripp.
