The boys varsity lacrosse team took an early lead against Olympia when attacker Landon McLaughlin scored two goals in the first five minutes of the game. Three more goals quickly followed, scored by offensive midfielder Taj Usher, midfielder Hayden Lesnewski and McLaughlin.

“The win feels great going into the playoffs,” McLaughlin said. “This gave us a huge morale boost and it will help motivate us to do our best going forward.”

After Lewnewski scored another goal in the first minute, the team started the second quarter 5-0. Olympia responded with their first goal off of a rip shot from the eighth meter. 

With their offense running smoothly, the defense also played a part in the team’s victory. Lesnewski intercepted the ball, leading to a goal, just one turnover of many the defense caused. Defender Edward Ruping got player of the game for causing three turnovers and stopping goals. Goalie Grant Smith and goalie Thomas Russel both had four saves during the game, helping the defense to keep Olympia at bay with only five goals.

“My favorite play of the game had to be when Thomas ran coast to coast (when the player runs the ball from one endline of the field to the other) and almost scored. He knocked three people down on the way to the goal,” attacker John Mediavilla said. “That is the most impressive thing you can see a goalie do, it is not common for that to happen.”

After the coast-to-coast fun, offensive midfielder Conlon Hill had the first close up shot of the game, and Mediavilla quickly followed up with the second one. Lesnewski scored his third goal after Olympia got another shot on the net, making the final score of the first half 10-2.

Although the third quarter was marked with multiple penalties for the team and Olympia’s two goals, the team was not discouraged. The boys went on to score two goals from attacker Noah Townsend and defensive midfielder Landon Ford.

“Although we played a pretty strong game, I think we can focus on staying consistent throughout all four quarters and making sure we stay focused,” McLaughlin said.

Going into the fourth quarter, Mediavilla quickly made two goals in the first two minutes. Olympia scored, but McLaughlin quickly responded with another rip shot from the eighth meter, making the final score 15-5.

“Going into the playoffs it was important to get this win under are belt, and we pulled it off, if we did not win it would have been difficult to keep the team focused on our goal, to win districts,” Mediavilla said.

The team now has a record of 9-7 and are 3-3 in their district. Their first playoff game will be against Seminole in the district quarterfinals on Monday, April 10.

“I think we will do well in the postseason because all of the underclassmen are starting to step up and are beginning to fill in the shoes for the seniors that will leave after this season,” Mediavilla said.