Barons boys lacrosse got better and better

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Barons boys lacrosse got better and better

Walter Johnson 4, Bethesda-Chevy Chase 3

by Dan Greenberg | Staff Writer

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The final game of Bethesda-Chevy Chase’s boys lacrosse season was a microcosm of its entire spring: fall down early, only to come back with a vengeance, and fall in heartbreaking fashion once again.

Well after Walter Johnson scored the go-ahead goal late in its 4-3 victory over the Barons (7-6) in Saturday’s 4A-3A West Region second-round contest last Saturday, head coach Alan Pohoryles was proud of his team’s up-and-down season. They began the year by losing not only their first three games by a combined 23 goals, but also sophomore Chris Landon to a torn meniscus in his knee.

But B-CC bounced back, winning its next five games. Even the Barons’ losses after April were close ones. And while they had trouble completing their late game rallies this season, they had much to be proud of.

‘‘In all honesty, we played a very good game,” Pohoryles said. ‘‘We held their offense to four goals, which in my opinion was a win, and our keeper [John Goldberg] played amazing. They just had a little more than we did, but I was proud of our guys.”

After the season’s slow start, several of the Barons’ offensive weapons hit their stride. Senior Martin Wiegand, of whom Pohoryles said, ‘‘A little guy who played twice his size,” paced the squad with 33 goals and 24 assists. Junior Christian Cobb added 32 goals and 14 assists, and sophomore midfielder Gus Vita showed his potential with 21 goals and 12 assists.

Though Wiegand will certainly be missed, B-CC returns five starters next year, including Landon, one of the best defenders in the county. His health would help the Barons start next season how they finished this one, instead of how they began it.

‘‘I’ve already started really looking forward to next year,” said Pohoryles. ‘‘I think we got a lot better as the season went along.”