Hayfield Gains Respect From Langley, Falls 10-5

     The Hayfield Boys Varsity Lacrosse team took a major step forward in their season development, with a hard fought loss vs. their cross county foes, the Saxons of Langley HS. The Hawks actually held a brief lead on the Saxons early in the first quarter when Sr. MF JC Reynolds (2 goals) found the back of the net with 4:47 left in the first quarter. Even though the lead was brief, it proved to the Hawks themselves that they are good enough to play on the same field as Langley, one of the stronger teams in the Norther Region.

     Hayfield’s defense were the real heroes in this game, as they only allowed in 10 goals on Langley’s 40 plus shots. Sr. G Nathanial Holic had anouther outstanding game in net, registering 15 saves. Sr DM Mishi Merid received the ceremonial game ball, with an outstanding defensive effort, on Langley’s 6’4” MF. Merid, (all of 5’9”), used excellent positioning, to keep his opponents at bay. Even though the Hawks lost the faceoff battle, 17-2, they held their own in the ground ball battle (losing 13-12). Jr. LSM Matt Stevenson led the way, adding 7 more GB’s to his team leading total.

     In the 2^nd half, Hayfield continued to use their new defensive strategy to keep Langley off balance, and ultimately held Langley to 3 second half goals. If not for a tough second quarter, who knows what would have happened in the game. Tied at 3 all after the first 12 minutes, Hayfield struggled to find their rhythm in the 2^nd quarter, as the Saxons vaunted defense realigned to start taking away the Hawks interior passes.

     Other contributions included: Jr. A Carson Babcock (1 goal, 1 assist), added to his team leads, with his 15^th goal and 17 points of the season. So. A Ethan Artero (2 goals, 1 assist) scored his 4^th and 5^th goals of the season, and accumulated his team leading 8^th assist. Sr. MF Thomas Hughlet (2 assists), again inspired his teammates with outstanding effort at both ends of the field, as well as making two excellent feeds for goals, assisting on Hayfield’s first and last goals of Tuesday night. Sr. MF Mike Sipes continued to grow into his own, using his excellent speed and endurance to help Hayfield on numerous transition plays. Jr. A/MF Brendan MacBeth, was a key player on offense, running attack in the first half, and switching to midfield in the 2^nd, to give the Hawks a left handed threat.

Goals/Assists/Pts. Scored By: Babcock (1/1/2), Reynolds (2/0/2), MacBeth (0/0/0), Hughlett (0/2/2), Pearson (0/0/0), Stevenson (0/0/0), Artero (2/1/3),