Wesleyan tops Marist 9-7 in possible preview to a playoff matchup

Wesleyan goalie Wiley Koch #12 defends against shot by Marist Bobby Peters #2

In what may have been a preview of a potential matchup during the Georgia High School Association boys lacrosse state championship tournament, the Marist War Eagles hosted the defending Division I champions, the Wesleyan Wolves, as the War Eagles entered the night having won their last eight games.

Looking to protect home field, back to back goals would give them the early 2-0 lead, however, the Wolves would answer back with two straight goals of their own to tie the game 2-2, but a Jake McLaren goal late in the period would give Marist a 3-2 lead at the end of the period.

With the second quarter underway, Wesleyan would outscore Marist 4-1 in the period as both Jameson Meyer and Jaxson Wright, who each finished with three goals, would collect their second goals of the night, helping the Wolves take a 6-4 lead into the locker room at the half.

However, as the game featured multiple momentum swings, the War Eagles would own the third quarter, outscoring Wesleyan 3-0 in the period to regain the lead, going up 7-6 entering the fourth quarter, which the Wolves returned the favor, closing out the game on a 3-0 run in the final period of play, picking up the 9-7 win.

"We didn't play great lacrosse tonight but you know, championship teams find ways to win even when they don't have their 'A' game," Wesleyan head coach, Connor Breslin, said following Friday's win as he credited his players for their ability to make "some really tough plays down the stretch," Breslin added.

With two games remaining, Wesleyan will have some time off before they return to action and face Georgia Walton on April 22 and then close out the regular season against area rival, Greater Atlanta Christian, and Breslin believes the Wolves will have the opportunity to work on a few things to prepare for the playoffs.

"Attack men have to take care of the ball. Our attack men are some of the three best players in the state and they are much more capable of what they showed tonight, but they got it done when it mattered," Breslin said, adding the team will use film study to help clean up areas of concern.