Boys' lacrosse drops ball

MAY 8, BLAZER STADIUM—

The boys' lacrosse team ended its season with a 14-6 loss to Quince Orchard High School.

In the last game for the team's 12 seniors, played on May 8, Blair never even held a lead.

The season ended with a 6-8 record, disappointing given the team's major senior presence. "I think we were overconfident about the season because there were so many seniors," said senior Ben Field-Pickering. "That made the losses worse."

The Blazers fought neck and neck with the Cougars. However, into the second and third quarters, Quince Orchard pulled ahead and would hold its lead for the rest of the game. Blair was limited to six points and was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Penalties also prevented Blair from coming back late in the game. "It seemed that Blair was one man down the entire third quarter and parts of the second and fourth quarters too," Field-Pickerin said. "They were able to take advantage of the extra man, while we weren't."

The absence of several key players due to injury contributed heavily to the loss.

In addition, seniors Lincoln Fischer and Ben Schwengels were unable to play at any time during the season. These players would have significantly improved Blair's defense this year.

Next season's team will be depleted, as the players graduating include captains Field-Pickerin, John Selby, Chris Olson and Jamie Platky. Of the twelve seniors graduating, two started at attack, three started at middie, and five more played defense.

Coach Robert Gibb believes that the loss of those starting seniors will have a large effect on next year's season. "There will be a lot of impact from our seniors," he said. "This year our strength was our defense, and five long-sticks are leaving."

Selby agrees that wins will not come easy next year. "They're going to get it rough. They'll have to prove and push themselves on the field," Selby said.

Absent most of this year's starters, the 2004 season will be a chance for the younger players to improve. "If they work hard during the off-season and really step it up, they'll do well next year," said Field-Pickerin.