By Kyle Wannen
For DigitalSports.com
After building a 6-2 lead in the first quarter of their playoff game against Walter Johnson Monday, Sherwood's boys lacrosse team watched its advantage disappear as the Wildcats tied the game late in the third quarter.
Less than four minutes into the fourth quarter, Sherwood (11-2) scored twice in over 20 seconds to build an 10-8 lead and then added another goal over a minute later to put away Walter Johnson with a 11-8 victory in the 4A West playoffs.
"These guys come out for every game ready to play," Sherwood coach
Chris Saputo said. "The key is really at the end finishing strong. These guys are conditioned and ready to play four quarters."
"A couple of our seniors actually motivated us to step up," attackman
Kevin Laskin said.
In the fourth quarter, Laskin received a pass from fellow attackman
Kyle Johnson and ripped a shot into the goal to give Sherwood the lead. 23 seconds later Johnson set up midfielder
Matt Emerson for another goal to extend the Warriors' lead.
"I knew [their defense] was going to slide early and we've been working on me passing off so I knew to look for it and they were there and they were able to finish," Johnson said.
"Kyle's an incredible player," Saputo said. "He's one of those quiet guys in school and then he comes out here and speaks volumes. The team knows to look for passes and that's how we get goals."
Almost a minute and a half later, Laskin scored again which was his fifth of the game. He also scored five goals in the previous game against Paint Branch.
"I was thinking we got to step up as a team and when we do that we're dominant and all we got to do is play the same," Laskin said.
"He's come so far this year and is just an incredible kid, an incredible player," Saputo said. "He's going to have a terrific rest of the season and senior year."
Sherwood also got two goals from midfielder
Michael Begley and a goal apiece from midfielders
Zack Mercer,
Hassani Samms and
Dylan Hubbard. Goalie
Connor Welch finished with seven saves.
Walter Johnson scored three goals in both the second and third quarters to erase Sherwood's lead. Attackman
Daniel Cohen scored three goals and midfielder
Dylan Ellis scored twice to help lead the comeback.
"WJ plays good lacrosse," Saputo said. "We knew we had to play every minute on the field to our potential to beat them."
"We got over-confident," Johnson said. "We were being selfish and we just had to work as a team and then we did and we were able to win.
The Warriors now go on to face the powerhouse, undefeated Wootton Patriots on Wednesday but Sherwood is not intimidated.
"The last encounter we had was great," Saputo said. "It was a good game played on both sides. Just good, hard lacrosse and that's what we're looking for."
"We can beat them," Laskin said. "We just got to play 100%."