Boys Lacrosse Avenges Loss to Douglass, Makes Playoffs

The team storms the field after beating Frederick Douglass on May 10. Photo: Elliott Pierce

By ELLIOTT PIERCE

Boys Lacrosse entered the playoffs hot, having achieved revenge with a narrow defeat over Frederick Douglass Academy at Midwood Field on May 10, thanks to an incredible comeback in the 4th quarter.

Frederick Douglass, the number one team in the division prior to the game, had beaten the Hornets convincingly earlier in the season, making the win that much sweeter. “It was amazing,” said Captain Dominik Hetes ‘23. “It was a good experience for the boys. We played them earlier in the year and lost 13-4, so to come back on our home turf and beat them was great.”

 “We have really good senior leadership, and guys are buying in and showing up and getting better every day,” said Coach Zach Alexander. “We’re stringing together wins. It's exciting to be a part of.”

This win was the crown jewel in a 11-5 season, where the team locked up the second position in their division. While they were able to make a bit of noise in the postseason, knocking off Susan Wganer 11-4 in the first round, their momentum dried up against Tottenville on May 31, where the team ended their run.

Still, after going 3-12 last year, the team has completely flipped the script. An influx of talented youth has arrived to reinforce the veteran studs. “There’s definitely a nice young core of guys that have potential,” said Mr. Alexander. 

“My experience on the team has been amazing,” said freshman Tyler Way. “They welcomed me to the team as family and now we are all brothers.”

With how hard the team has been working, it's no wonder why they're in playoff contention. “We’re out here five days a week practicing two to three hours a day and occasionally on Saturdays,” said Mr. Alexander. “The intensity is high. Guys are watching film and getting better on their own. That’s why we're having such a good season, as guys are making each other better and are committed to getting better themselves.”

“Our coach helped us develop by working with us one-on-one, teaching us the basics of the game and the techniques that led to our improvement,” said Way.

The veterans are also doing their best to make sure that Midwood Lacrosse stays a winning program after they graduate. “I feel like I’m leaving the team in good hands,” said Hetes. “The seniors, including my Senior Captain Ali Syed, I think we’ve really left an imprint on the program.”

The result of all their hard work is a concoction of skill and hunger that has devastated the competition.

After bodying Christopher Columbus Campus 11-1 on their opening afternoon, the Hornets received a taste of their own medicine in that first match against Frederick Douglass. The team then took their frustration out on their following six opponents, besting them in dominating fashion. Losses to Tottenville and Madison from outside their division did not stop the train as the team’s eyes turned to that rematch against Douglass in the battle for divisional supremacy. 

Douglass jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half but weren’t able to put the hammer down on the pesky Hornets, who remained within striking distance throughout the game, keeping the crowd fired up. Down 8-4 in the fourth quarter, the team mounted a ferocious comeback that was not to be denied. With four minutes to go, Hetes scored his sixth goal of the afternoon to put the team ahead 9-8. “It's a team effort,” said Hetes. “But sometimes I have to take the ropes if we need that big goal.”

In the final minutes, the Hornets formed a brick wall in front of their net, fronting everything Frederick Douglass could throw at them. As junior Peter Oliver ran out the clock, the team stormed the field. “It's the biggest win in the program in a while,” said Oliver. “It just showed that anything is possible.” 

With the season done and dusted, confidence is high for the team’s future. “I think we have the tools and the players and the capabilities to go far and make a deep run,” said Hetes. “We're gonna be ready and we're gonna be hungry to take it home.”