![Defender and sophomore Cole Schatz and midfielder and sophomore Enzo Kwan fight for the ball against an offensive University High player. “We’ve done a lot of development on the wall and are getting good stick skills,” Co-head coach Colin O’Connor said. “That’s something we didn’t have [before], we’ve done a really good job [playing] defensively and offensively.”](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Lax-story-edited-1200x837.jpg)
Boys Lacrosse (7-4) lost 16-5 in a home game against University High on March 23. The Bulldogs’ next game will be away against Irvine High on April 4.
The first quarter opened with a quick exchange of goals from both teams, resulting in a 2-2 tie within the first 8 minutes. However, through a series of quick passes and a high-pressure offense, the Trojans gained momentum in the latter half of the quarter, leaving the Bulldogs behind at 4-2 by the end of the first quarter.
“We started pretty hot, and we were able to match their two goals,” captain and senior Matthew Lee said. “But then our team gassed out by the end of the first half and they were still able to maintain their fundamentals.”
By the start of the second quarter, the Trojans found their rhythm and scored two points within the first four minutes. Although the Bulldogs attempted various offensive strategies against the Trojans, their defense and offense did not waver, resulting in a 5-10 score by halftime. Despite being down by five points, the gradual improvements shown by the players motivated them to push forward, according to co-head coach Colin O’Connor.
“We did a really great job,” O’Connor said. “[The Trojans are] just really skilled and they have better stick skills than us. But we brought good energy to the game. Three years ago, we lost this game 25-0.”
In the second half of the game, the Trojans’ aggressive offensive strategy allowed them to score two rapid goals, maintaining the momentum they had built and keeping the Bulldogs on the defensive. Knowing that they were against a tough opponent to beat, the Bulldogs concentrated on refining their defense strategies and honing their stick skills, according to defender and sophomore Cole Schatz.
“Right before the game, we filmed and reviewed the other team’s play style to play around [it] and to try and have a better shot at winning,” Schatz said.
While the Bulldogs ultimately lost, the game provided them with valuable experience as it fueled their motivation to improve their fundamentals and perform better against future opponents, according to Lee. Their next game will be away against Irvine High on April 4.
“The plan going forward is probably to stick more on the basics and be consistent throughout the whole game,” Lee said. “I’d hope to beat Northwood High and Woodbridge High and then make it to CIF.”
