"Battle Tested" Lovett Edges Westminster For 9-8 Win, Extending Win Streak To Five
Wednesday, the Lovett Lions boys lacrosse team hosted the Westminster Wildcats in another addition of the well-known “battle for Buckhead” rivalry as both teams looked to extend their current win streaks, keeping momentum heading into the post-season. Living up to expectations, the two teams battled to the final horn, however the Lions would strike first with two early first quarter goals taking a 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats would settle down and settle in though as they would run off five unanswered goals taking a 5-2 lead, their largest of the night. Yet the Lions would close out the second quarter with back to back goals and trail by one at the half as the Wildcats were up 5-4. To start the third period of play, Westminster would strike first as Connor Hodgson would score back to back goals, two of his four on the night, to help the Wildcats extend their lead to three once again as they would take a 7-4 lead.
However, the Lions would respond with three straight goals of their own, including two by Hudson Gregory, who finished with three goals on the night, tying the game at 7-7. In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats would regain the lead, going up 8-7 off of Hodgson’s fourth goal, but the Lions would tie once again thanks to a Sellars Holder goal. And with Westminster unable to capitalize off of late possessions, the Lions would regain the lead as senior Mason Ball would strike for a goal with 2:30 remaining, giving the Lions a 9-8 lead, which would be the final.
“First off, hats off to Westminster. They’re one of the best coached teams in the state year in and year out and they showed that tonight,” Lovett head coach, Jim Buczek said of the Lions rivals, who quickly responded to the Lovett’s quick start by pinning the Lions in a three goal hole twice throughout the game. “I think us, we’ve been battled tested as anybody with the schedule we play and that really showed tonight with some of the toughness to be able to battle back,” Buczek said of how his Lions responded when trailing.
And to help with motivating his players, a simple reminder that they were not just playing any opponent, but that “this is Lovett, Westminster” under the lights and that proved to be just what his players needed to hear as they would edge the Wildcats for the win.
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