Boys Lacrosse: The good, the bad, and the even

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Boys Lacrosse: The good, the bad, and the even

Whitman lacrosse team’s highs and lows balance out

by Dan Greenberg | Staff Writer

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It’s been such an up-and-down season for the Whitman boys lacrosse team, even head coach Kevin Pope can’t explain it.

The Vikings have played in every kind of game just six games into the season. They’ve beaten good teams in thrilling fashion (a 9-8 victory over Sherwood), and they’ve lost to good teams in heartbreakers (a 9-8 loss to Walter Johnson). They’ve beaten Magruder and Northwest in 12- and nine-goal routs, respectively, while Bethesda-Chevy Chase wiped the floor with them, 15-6.

It’s only fitting that with the tremendous highs and equal lows, they’re 3-3, right down the middle.

‘‘How have we been, you tell me?” said Pope. ‘‘It just remains to be seen. We feel we’ve been doing some good things, and obviously B-CC really came in and rocked our world.”

The offense has been solid, averaging just under 10 goals per game. It’s been led by senior attackman Eric Schneider, who led the team in scoring a year ago. He’s having another banner year, including a five-goal performance against the Colonels.

The Vikings have a deep offensive setup with ‘‘six or seven scorers” according to Pope, including attackman Pat Slawta, and midfielders Michael Harding and Brendan O’Connell.

Goalkeeper Michael Hepp has done all he can in goal, but the Whitman defense has been less consistent than the offense, giving up nine, 15, eight and nine goals in a four-game stretch against Walter Johnson, B-CC, Sherwood and Wootton.

Both units need to improve, however, if the Vikings are to become as good as Pope thinks they are.