After topping Oakwood to open the postseason, the CA boys lacrosse team fell to DeSales in the second round of the regional tournament.

 

The #10 seed Vikings traveled to Oakwood on Monday, May 14, and used a late offensive flurry to edge the #9 seed Lumberjacks, 11-8. Academy’s freshmen came out of the gates swinging, as Robert Mills and Campbell Gwin each scored in the open minutes of their playoff debut. Junior Keenan Bellisari found the back of the net as well, but Oakwood wouldn’t back down and instead tied the game at 3 by the end of the first.

 

The second quarter featured more evenly-matched play. Sophomore Andrew Swartz netted a goal, but the Lumberjacks weren’t fazed, and took a 5-4 advantage into the break.

 

With renewed energy coming out of the locker rooms, the Vikes caught fire, as CA blitzed Oakwood with four unanswered goals. Swartz and Yaw each scored from close range before Bellisari buried one of his own. Swartz completed a hat trick just seconds later, slashing inside for another goal. In the blink of an eye, the Vikings had taken an 8-5 lead. The Lumberjacks notched a pair of scores to close the period, yet Academy held a narrow advantage as the final 12 minutes began.

 

After leveling the game to begin the fourth quarter, it looked as though Oakwood might steal a victory. The Lumberjack faithful were roaring, and a scoring drought had silenced the Vikes’ offense. But CA’s stars rose to the occasion. Yaw found nylon for his second goal of the night, and Swartz followed with two more scores, as the duo put the Vikings ahead for good. Academy’s defense smothered any possibility of a desperation comeback, and the boys came away with a hard-fought win.

 

CA then hit the road to battle #1 seed DeSales on Thursday, May 17. The Vikes proved to be no match for the Stallions, losing 16-3. Despite the lopsided result, the contest should be a valuable learning lesson for Academy; the Vikings now understand the level of play necessary to compete for a state title.

 

Seniors Mike Boeckman and Josh Pearson will be sorely missed, but CA has a bright future ahead. Bellisari and fellow juniors Gunnar Geiger and Malcolm Klingbeil spearhead the charge of returning players, with scoring machines Swartz and Yaw also coming back. The development of Mills and Gwin provide even more excitement for the coming year, as the Vikes seem ready to reload.