Nothing less than returning Christ School lacrosse to state-championship contention will be enough for the players and coaches this spring.
“We talked before the game about the history of the program, what it means, and how good some of the teams in the past have been,” Coach Patrick Haley said Thursday.
“Three state championships, six appearances. We want to reset that standard and be one of those teams that people look at as one of the best in North Carolina and the South. So, it was good to get back on the field and start pursuing that.”
Indeed, there is talk. And there is action, and the Greenies had plenty of action in their first home game and 2024 season opener.
Carter Sherwood ’25 won 18-of-20 faceoffs Thursday and was one of 10 players to score in a 20-1 trouncing of Dorman (S.C.).
Caden Paradine ’25 (five goals) and Parker Beiland ’24 (four) had hat tricks by halftime. Nate Wilberding ’25 (two goals) opened the floodgates, flicking in the first goal of the season at the 7:38 mark of the first quarter off an assist from R.J. Fox ’25 (one goal, three assists).
In the second quarter, Christ School scored eight times in five minutes to lead 15-0 at the half.
Carter (two goals), Hardy Johnson ’24 (two), Palo Miles ‘27 (one), Xander Ring ‘25 (one), Bowen Scheurer ‘26 (one), and Pike Preyer ’27 (one) were the other goal-scorers.
Starting goalkeeper Lucas Little ‘24 had already subbed out and was on the sidelines when the Greenies allowed their only goal to the Cavaliers (1-2) in the final quarter.
“The effort was there from the first whistle to the last whistle and that’s what we harped on, regardless of if we had jitters passing and catching the ball in the first game,” Coach Haley said.
“The energy on the sidelines was great as well. We saw a lot of good things and we saw a lot of things that we can improve on. But it was great to see the energy and joy we played with. Even after winning 20-1, the seniors talked to the rest of the team about things we can improve on. That’s great to see.”
The boys have a busy Spring Break ahead of them which begins Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. game against Middle Creek (1-0). The game will be played at the neutral site of Springwood Park in Burlington, N.C.