Senior offensive captain Sam Chell prepared for an easy win against St. Vincent’s Pallotti on May 11. “We walked all over [Pallotti] the first time we played them, so I thought it would be the same way this time,” Chell said.
The game started off as Chell planned; JC scored six goals in the first half. Junior August Pons scored two of the goals, while Chell, senior Brendon Dashiell and junior Ricky DeMicco each scored one. Pallotti scored a total of one goal.
Varsity lacrosse coach Keith Hinder took the starters out at the beginning of the second half. “Pallotti’s a physical team, even the first time we played them. The guys take a beating. Coach [Matthew] Blair and I decided to give some of the starters a rest and give other players time,” Hinder said.
In the second half, Pallotti fought back, bringing the score up to a tie at 6-6. “Pallotti got back into the game. It was also their seniors’ last game, so they had strong motivation,” Hinder said.
“As they started to come back, all of the starters were nervous because we weren’t out there to make a difference,” Chell said.
Senior Harrison Gaeng added, “Everyone was getting a little frustrated, but we concentrated and came up with a goal.”
Senior Seth Hinder scored the winning goal late in the fourth quarter. The final score was 7-6, Patriots.
“We didn’t come out ready to play and it showed,” Chell said.
The Patriots are seeded number one in the MIAA B Conference with a 13-2 record overall. “I think this will be the year we finally bring the championship home,” Chell said.
To celebrate the seniors’ last game of the season, the team had a party, where Hinder thanked the seniors. The seniors were called up one by one and received a framed picture of themselves.
“The seniors this year are the core of our team, possibly one of the greatest lacrosse classes in the history of JC. We’re really going to miss them next year, but that just means somebody else is going to have to step up,” Pons said.
Rachel Kokoska can be reached for comment at [email protected].