Big fourth quarter gives boys lacrosse 14-7 win

By Duncan Nixon

The Fluco boys lacrosse team hosted the Hornets from Orange County on Senior Night on May 1. The Hornets looked strong early and led 2-0 after the first quarter.

The Flucos got their act together in the second quarter to take a 5-4 lead at halftime. A nice goal by senior Jack Jeffries on a pass from senior Javier Campos at the seven-minute mark tied the game at 3-3. The goal came only 13 seconds after a Fluco goal by senior Maddox Beaulieu, who scored from close range after a clever spin move.

Jeffries’ goal came immediately after he won the faceoff. Jeffries won multiple faceoffs after goals throughout the game.

As time was running down in the half, junior Braddock McCauley fired home a long skip shot to put the Flucos ahead for good. A skip shot is intentionally bounced off the ground to stay low, often making it difficult for the goalie to track.

The third quarter was closely contested, with the Flucos scoring three goals to Orange County’s two. Going into the fourth quarter, the Hornets still appeared to have a chance. However, the fourth quarter belonged to the Flucos.

Two minutes into the period, senior Cooper Tapscott put the Flucos up 9-6. It was the first of the Flucos’ six goals in the quarter. Orange quickly responded to cut the lead back to two goals, but that proved to be the Hornets’ final goal of the night.

The Flucos’ 10th goal was scored by Beaulieu with 8:03 remaining. Campos followed almost immediately, scoring from close range after a long run downfield. McCauley scored the Flucos’ 12th goal from point-blank range. Goal No. 13 came from Beaulieu on another skip shot. Seven seconds later, Jeffries scored again after winning the faceoff and running straight down the field for another point-blank goal.

After the game, assistant coach Bill Weisenburger pointed out how many different players scored for the Flucos. In lacrosse, it is not unusual for one or two players to account for nearly all the goals in a 14-goal game.

Weisenburger also praised the play of senior goalie Colton Ball, whom he described as “the rock” of the team.

Many Fluco seniors were honored before the game, but that does not mean the future of Fluco lacrosse is dim. The Fluco JV team defeated Orange County 18-0 in the preliminary game.