Boys’ lacrosse have completely flipped the script this season. After starting 3-2, five well-disciplined and executed games have now put them at 8-2 on their 2024 campaign.
Their recent play is highlighted by the offensive takeover; describing these performances as “good” hardly captures the immense difference from the first five games.
This win stretch has included wins over Rockville (17-11), Paint Branch (14-5), Einstein (18-10), Northwood (20-9) and Damascus (16-15). The Cats have dominated their opponents as of late, netting an 85-50 goal margin in this span.
Trust in the Wildcat players themselves and their teammates has been a key factor in propelling them to victories.
“I think we have gotten close as a team and we really can trust each other. We are being less selfish and distributing the ball to everyone,” senior Nick Zampardi said.
The team’s sky-high confidence is exhibited in every player’s attitude and on-field performance.
“After five straight wins our confidence as a team is absolutely astronomical, the boys have really rallied and got the job done lately,” junior attackman Noah Prevost said.
Here is what junior attackmen Ryan Gardner had to say on this impressive stretch.
“There are winners and there are quitters, in the last five games we have not been quitters,” Gardner said.
The eight win mark now matches their total win count from the 2023 season, with two games yet to be played. Notching double-digit wins on the season would be a prestigious accomplishment for the squad; with them already having shown vast improvement from the previous season.
Injecting even more confidence in this group could be the difference maker come playoff time for the Cats. After a heartbreaking defeat versus Churchill Bulldogs in the second round of the 2023 playoffs, these predators are ready to attack.
The Cats are looking to keep their foot on the gas pedal and retain all acquired momentum in the final contests. The streaking squad matches up against Richard Montgomery on Wednesday, May 1, this will also be marked as WJ’s senior night and last home game, along with matching up against Sherwood on Friday, May 3, to conclude the regular season.
“We need to continue to do what we have been doing. Trust our coaches and our game plan. We need to continue to stay hungry as a unit as well,” Zampardi said.
