Blazers beat Magruder in Senior Game

MAY 3, BLAZER STADIUM—

The varsity boys lacrosse team barely pulled out a win over the Colonels of Magruder in their senior game. After gaining a six-point lead in the first half, the Blazers let Magruder back into the game, even allowing them a one goal lead before surging ahead in the final moments of the game to win 9-8.

Where the Blazers were strong in the first half, they faltered much of the second. Their tenacity on the field, strong defensive checks and powerful shots on goal that characterized the boys in the first half became a lethargic, sloppy effort in the second. The first half of play saw the Blazers at their best level all season, much of the second half saw them at their worst.

The first two quarters of play the Blazers outscored the Colonels 7-1. With 5:07 left in the first quarter, senior co-captain Justin Hoy put up the first point of the game, driving a hard bounce shot into the left corner of the goal. However 10 seconds later Magruder would answer back with one of their own goals evening out the score.

With 1:40 left in the quarter, Hoy put in his second goal of the night using his speed and quick stick work to dodge the Magruder defense and get a strong shot on goal. Hoy's goal set off a scoring streak from the Blazers as sophomore Nick Mozer, senior co-captain Andrew Beach and seniors Chris Stavish and Phuson Hulamn all put in goals for the Blazers (Mozer put in 2).

After Magruder's first goal of the game, the Blair defense went on lock down shutting out the Colonels for the rest of the half. Senior co-captain Andrew Helgeson made several strong saves and the defensive block led by senior co-captain Erik Kojola served as an unstoppable fortress, making strong checks and being instrumental in clears.

In the second half however, the Blazers got lazy. They repeatedly allowed the Colonels to get in a scoring position, basically leaving Helgeson stranded in goal. In the midfield and attack the boys lost their fire, not fighting for possession and not capitalizing on their few advantages. With 1:51 left in the game Magruder put in a goal, pulling ahead 8-7. Hoy would answer back 31 seconds later with his third goal of the night, tying the game. With 1:10 left, Hulamn put in a powerful shot giving the Blazers the lead. While Magruder won the next draw, Helgeson made an impressive save in the waning minutes of the game, cementing the Blazers 9-8 victory over Magruder.

The win over Magruder put the boys record at 3-7 for the season as they go into two tough games against the traditionally strong squads of Churchill and Wootton. They next travel to Churchill for a 7:00 p.m. game on Thursday May 5. Good luck boys!