ThisWeek News: Experience Pays Off For Wolves Lacrosse Squad

Apr. 17, 2018

 ThisWeek News:  Experience Pays Off For Wolves Lacrosse Squad

By BRAD EMERINE 
THISWEEKSPORTS.COM 

Posted Apr 17, 2018 at 2:05 PMUpdated Apr 17, 2018 at 2:40 PM

The Worthington Kilbourne High School boys lacrosse team is putting the experience gained last season to good use this spring.

The Wolves were 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the OCC-Cardinal Division before playing at Delaware on April 17.

“We’ve come out a lot stronger this season than we did last season and that’s because of the amount of hard work we’ve put in,” senior midfielder Ryan Weslowski said. “I think we all had confidence we would improve on last year just based on the fact we have a lot more seniors and experienced guys now. We didn’t have that last year.”

Despite reaching the Division II, Region 7 final before losing to Watterson 7-6 in four overtimes, Kilbourne was never above .500 in the regular season last year and finished 11-11.

“I think the guys came back a little hungry and willing to use the experience they gained last year,” said first-year coach Mike Lippert, who was an assistant with the team the past four seasons under former coach Drew May. “They’re working very hard and bringing energy to practices and games. We’re still working on some things, but I feel good about where we are and where we’re going.”

The Wolves lost to Brooklandville (Maryland) St. Paul’s 17-5 on March 29 and Upper Arlington 6-5 on April 14. UA was a Division I state semifinalist last season.

“We played a tremendous program in Maryland and we didn’t play well,” Lippert said. “But, we all learned something from that game, which is why we played it. When you play one of the best teams in the nation, you learn from your mistakes. We like to play a challenging schedule.”

Kilbourne plays mostly Division I opponents in the regular season, which prepares the Wolves for the Division II postseason.

“We’re still working on some things offensively,” Wesolowski said after the Wolves defeated Hilliard Bradley 18-4 on April 12. “As we progress, our younger guys are going to step forward and make us even better. We’re getting better at ball movement and the seniors have a good rhythm.”

Against Bradley, Sam Biglin had four goals and Nick Clay and Jack Ellis both scored three. Jake LeVette, Carson Kott and William Alban added two goals apiece and goalkeeper Dane Jackson made five saves.

LeVette scored two goals against UA and Jackson made nine saves.

“I think our defense has been pretty solid,” Jackson said. “We’ve allowed few goals and we have a lot of experience back there. I think we’re locking down very well and we’ve got great camaraderie. We’re very excited and we’re on a mission to play in the state championship.”