Boys’ lacrosse (4-14) lost to Woodbridge High 2-18 in an away game on April 24. Despite the loss, their spirits ran strong as the team finished the season and focused on building off a hard-won 8-6 victory against Irvine High just 2 days earlier.
The face-off began with the Bulldogs efficiently taking control of the ball, making a series of passes that ended in the team scoring the game’s first goal within the first 10 minutes. However, the Warriors soon began forcing the Bulldogs onto the defensive.
“Our first goal was a couple quick passes; it went just like that,” defender and sophomore Joshua Mo said. “But we ended up constantly playing defense, so we needed to start keeping the pressure until it worked.”
The Bulldogs’ strongest areas during the game were clearing and fast breaking. Players took advantage of each offensive opportunity by passing the ball rapidly before the Warriors had a chance to respond. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs’ defense began to feel pressured as the Warriors tried to flood the middle zone, according to defender and sophomore Michael Chiang.
As the Bulldogs huddled together after the first quarter, head coach Michael Harriger kept morale up by urging the team to play at their best and deliver a successful send-off for their two graduating seniors.
“We play hard, but we need better stick skills, so we need to be able to pass better and scoop around balls better — those are the two main things,” Harriger said. “We have almost our entire team back next year, and we’ll be working all off-season and hopefully the summer to improve. [My hope is that] we can come together as a team.”
The Warriors continued putting offensive pressure on the Bulldogs by pushing them to give up outside shots, which would ideally be in the Bulldogs’ zone. As the game progressed, the Bulldogs began to struggle to clear the ball and make saves, according to assistant coach Colin O’Connor.
“At the end of the day, I thought we did a really good job in transition and getting the ball in the field quickly,” O’Connor said. “I think our score didn’t reflect that, but we did a really good job.”
After the game, the Bulldogs gathered together for a final rally, recalling special moments from the season. Despite the final loss, many reminisced about bonding during senior night and their exciting, hard-fought win against Irvine High, according to O’Connor.
“I definitely think we have a lot of improving to do, and we can do it,” goalie and sophomore Liam Holmes said. “We just have to, as they say ‘lock in’ for next year and get better.”
