The varsity lacrosse squad faced off with its first conference opponent in the form of Chaminade College Prep on Wednesday, March 31. Playing on home turf, a SLUH team hoping to add another tally to the win column of their 3-0 record quickly found CCP to be a difficult opponent. 

The first quarter is best described as “shock therapy” for a SLUH team that had yet to encounter serious competition in the regular season. Coming off games with teams such as Francis Howell United and Lafayette, SLUH found a big challenge in Chaminade’s different formations and increased aggression on both offense and defense. 

Chaminade scored first blood minutes into the first quarter from a deflection off the stick of a SLUH defender. The Red Devils’ offense focused on spreading out the Jr. Bills’ defense, and having back-side players cut for quick shots. This type of offense continued through the quarter, with the defense struggling to keep all six CCP players covered in the chaos of the non-rigid offensive structure. 

The level of aggression was matched by a quick-sliding Chaminade defense that put pressure on the Jr. Bills’ attackmen well outside the restraining box. The offense though slowly began to adapt and, poking around the defense for shot opportunities, senior Luke Baumer would prove effective at drawing the over-aggressive Chaminade defensemen and providing an assist for number 26 in front of the cage, putting SLUH on the scoreboard. 

Despite SLUH possessing the ball for similar amounts of time as Chaminade in the first quarter, CCP’s relentless cutting and dominance of the faceoff with a senior Utah commit put them up handily at 5-1 at the end of the first. 

In the second quarter, SLUH began to rope in the possible runaway game, with the offense proving dangerous in the chaos of transition. Regaining possession after an out of bounds, SLUH continued generating most of their effective offense from below goal as Baumer continued to dish passes to open attackmen, this time junior Ted Leritz for a quick goal. Leritz followed up again by putting himself in the fray and scooping up a rebound and once again adding one to SLUH’s side of the scoreboard. 

At this point, the previously struggling defense collected itself and slowed the rate of shots by Chaminade to finish off the half down 6-4. 

Resuming play in the second half, the Jr.Bills held the momentum, steadily closing the points gap with the Red Devils. SLUH offense continued to onslaught from “X”, with another feed to senior midfielder Bobby Conroy finding the back of the net and ringing the crossbar in the process. The goal was soon answered by Chaminade, who made a shot on the goalie’s doorstep following a ground ball scrum in front of the goal. 

During the second half, penalties became a more common sight, with flags for such things as loose ball pushing, illegal and late hits, as well as unsportsmanlike conduct taking their toll on both teams. In the third quarter though, the SLUH offense capitalized on a man-down opportunity, with Conroy now finding Baumer in open space ten yards in front of the goal for an easy goal. Lightning struck twice soon after, with nearly the exact same play also proving fruitful less than two minutes later.

Finding their awareness and having acclimated to the fluid Chaminade offense, long sticked defensemen were able to cause multiple turnovers in the second half, including multiple fast breaks created by senior Luke Ratterman and interception from Nick Campbell. Goalie Bernie Kilcullen also continued to be effective in the clutch, deflecting and saving many possible goals and that kept SLUH in the game. 

Chaminade continued to maintain an exploitative offense, scoring two off of won ground-balls and fast breaks. In addition, continuing woes on the faceoff, caused by their D1 commit, allowed Chaminda to often gain possession after scoring. 

Both Conroy and junior Nick Witcher delivered in the fourth, putting up one goal each, the game ended in a difficult and well fought 9-8 loss for the Jr. Bills, who clawed back from a 5-1 first quarter deficit. 

The team then used Easter Break to recover and prepare for their next MCC opponent, Vianney, on April 14. 

Employing outside shooting ability, SLUH beat Vianney 11-7. They now set their sights on little brother De Smet in the Father Marco Cup this Saturday at 2:00, the biggest game of the season. And recalling Jr. Bills’ win over the Spartans in the preseason, many feel confident about their chances, and expect a competitive and exciting game.