Win at Highland Springs
By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluvanna County boys lacrosse team hosted The James Monroe High Yellowjackets from Fredericksburg on April 11. It was an even match-up. Unfortunately, the Monroe team was able to hold the ball at the end of the game and slowly pass it around outside as the clock ran down. They then managed to find an attacker directly in front of the goal who fired in the game winning shot with six seconds remaining.
The game did not start well for the Flucos. James Monroe led at half time 5-2. The Flucos were only able to manage one goal on their own, as the first Fluco goal was mistakenly scored by a Yellowjackets defender. The Flucos second goal was scored by junior attacker Maddox Beaulieu on an assist from junior long stick defender Henry Jeffries.
The third quarter was all Fluvanna. The Flucos scored their third goal of the game when Beaulieu dodged a defender and fired a low shot past the goalie. An assist was recorded by Sully Eckert. The Flucos scored their second goal of the quarter when Jefferies dug the ball out of scrum in front of the net and passed to junior attacker Cooper Tapscott for a close in score. James Monroe responded quickly but their good scoring attempt was thwarted by a save by junior goalie Colton Ball. As the third quarter was winding down, the Flucos tied the game on a goal by senior attacker Andrew Williams with an assist from Anthony Waguespack.
On virtually the first play of the fourth quarter, Williams stole an outlet pass by the Yellowjackets’ goalie and drove to the goal undefended for a goal to put the Flucos ahead 6-5. Three minutes later the Yellowjackets scored to tie the game at 6-6 on a nice pass to an attacker very close in. Ball had no chance to stop the shot. Another James Monroe goal followed to make it 7-6 in the Yellowjackets’ favor. With only two minutes left, Tapscott cut across the front of the goal and took a nice pass from junior Jack Jeffries for the equalizing score. Unfortunately, Monroe was able to hold the ball for the rest of the final quarter by passing the ball back and forth near midfield. As the clock went under sixty seconds, the Yellowjackets moved the ball in before setting up the winning goal. It was an excellent game.
The next day, the Flucos traveled to Highland Springs High School In Henrico County and won easily. Junior attacker Joe Jones had a big game. He scored five goals and contributed an assist. Williams scored three goals and had two assists. Tapscott had two goals and an assist. Henry Jeffries had two goals and Jack Jeffries had two assists and won fifteen of seventeen face-offs.
Fluco Coach Don Wyant has a young team that is learning. His roster includes only two seniors, it has 14 juniors and two sophomores. It is early in the year, but the rest of the Flucos season is against tough Jefferson District opponents. On April 18, they host Orange County. On April 23 they travel to Goochland, then on April 29 and 30, they play Monticello High home and away. On May 2 they host Charlottesville and on May 6 they travel to Albemarle High.
