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The Dripping Springs High School lacrosse team traveled to Dallas this past weekend for two games with two entirely different outcomes.
The matchup on Saturday, Feb. 25 was against Highland Park High School, who touts more lacrosse state championships than any other school. From the opening faceoff, the Tigers were on their heels and spent most of the game on the defensive end of the field.
The Scots of Highland Park came out firing, taking 18 shots and scoring five goals in the first quarter. The second and third quarter ended similarly with five goals in each period. Drip would pick up their lone goal in the second quarter when junior Kyle Parker found the back of the net. The Dripping Springs Wolfpack defense was under pressure the entire game with the offense of the Scots firing 49 shots in their 16-1 victory.
Defender Jonah Friedman earned the hammer for player of the match. Freshman John Ault picked up seven saves in the cage.
On Sunday, Feb. 26 the team traveled to Reedy High School to take on the Frisco lacrosse team. Day two of the Texas Two-Step flipped the roles, with the Drip offense holding possession much of the game. Owen Rhodes and Lucas Willingham teamed up to win 14 of their 22 faceoffs, and the Wolfpack outshot Frisco 43-18.
Just under three minutes into the game, senior Aiden Kane began the scoring. This was quickly followed by two goals from Parker, the second of which was assisted by Kane. Rhodes would take the ensuing faceoff the distance and extend the lead to four. Sophomore Brady Taylor added a goal of his own before Kane found Connor Krystof for a goal. The final goal of the first quarter ignited the team when freshman Jake Stockton picked up his first goal of the season to make it 7-0.
In the second quarter, Kane drove and scored with a left handed scoop shot, and Parker found Krystof for his second goal of the game in a man-up situation. The third quarter would mirror the second with Kane starting things off and Krystof closing it out off an assist from senior Walker Wright. After three quarters, Drip led 11-0.
The Frisco Black Bears got on the board to start the fourth period. This was followed shortly by another Parker to Krystof goal in a penalty situation. After the bears scored twice, Wright found Kooper Brown for a top shelf goal. Following one of his seven saves, senior goalie Kaiden Grupp moved the ball quickly up to midfield, finding Wright who went the rest of the way and scored. Scoring was capped off when Brown found Kane standing just off the crease for a quick hitter goal.
Dripping Springs led in all statistical categories. Rhodes (8) and Willingham (4) led the team in ground balls with Ethan Smith, Krystof and Kane each scooping up three. Eight different players forced turnovers. Wright earned the hammer for his in-game leadership.
Drip lacrosse returns home for the next game, this Saturday, March 4 at 1 p.m. against Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. Admission is free.
