Jonathan Alder’s Caleb Wiltshire (45) moves the possession up field during the first quarter against Big Walnut. The freshman midfielder notched two goals in the team’s win over the Golden Eagles.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
—
An 11-5 victory over Big Walnut snapped a three-game losing streak for Jonathan Alder’s boys lacrosse team.
“I am proud of these guys — they needed it really bad,” JA coach Rob Davis said. “Big Walnut plays in the Ohio Capital Conference, which is super tough and they always play us tough.”
The Pioneers suffered three straight losses to state-ranked opponents prior to beating the Golden Eagles (4-8).
“We weathered the storm in the middle of the season,” Davis said.
“After those three games, the team’s morale was down, but we knew they were going to be tough games,” senior Wyatt Clemons said. “Everybody getting involved scoring-wise and defensively, it was great in the second, third and fourth quarters.”
The victory did not come easy. Big Walnut managed to take a 5-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
After a short conversation, the Pioneers responded with 10 unanswered goals to claim the win.
“They did a wonderful job in all facets of the game,” Davis said.
Clemons managed to find Jack Kennedy at the 10:36 mark of the first period for the game’s first goal.
However, the Golden Eagles produced an offensive surge by scoring the next five goals.
The last came with 48 seconds left with credit going to Colton McKee.
“Our defense wasn’t sliding… they were just playing back and not getting to the guys,” Davis said. “That’s why I called a timeout to get the defense pulled and let the defensive coaches put them on task. They played much better after that.”
“During that period where we were sitting at 5-1, our offense wasn’t moving too well,” Clemons said. “We really focused on getting off-ball movement, but mentally for me I was focused on if I moved somewhere, it would force other guys to move.”
Minutes into the second quarter, Kennedy delivered his first assist, finding Caleb Wiltshire near the crease. The goal cut JA’s gap to 5-2.
Clemons went on to score the next two goals to slice the deficit to 5-4.
Kennedy once again found Wiltshire near the Golden Eagle goal to tie the game at 5-5 with 1:34 left until halftime.
After intermission, it was more of the same.
“We just have to keep doing our thing and not let them get us out of our game,” Davis said about the halftime conversation.
JA stayed consistent and took every chance it could against BW goalie Carson Withrow.
Kennedy and Maddox Kingry gave JA the lead with a pair of goals.
Alder led 7-5 heading into the final period.
Clemons, Kennedy, Kingry and Kaiden Snyder secured the last four goals for Alder.
“I thought they moved the ball much better tonight,” Davis said.
Goalie Eli Nicol collected seven saves on the night.
The win puts Alder at 8-4 overall in the regular season.
“We just have to keep our foot on the gas with no brakes,” Clemons said. “We have to keep pushing on our off-ball movement.”