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In what was expected to be an easier stretch of recent games compared to the season’s start, Dripping Springs High School Lacrosse won some and lost some. All along, they seemed to be finding the type of grittiness and chemistry they’ll need if they’re going to make a run in the looming postseason.
In away games against Anderson and Vandegrift, Drip fell behind early, forced to claw their way back. Against Anderson, junior attackman Coyt Packer had a breakout performance, aided by nice assists from junior attackman Tanner Baugh and freshman attackman Solomon Rand. These were the first points for Baugh and Rand as varsity players. Despite a spread-out offensive effort, Anderson won in overtime in a close one, 9-8.
Senior midfielder Brady Taylor, junior midfielders Ty Wittenburg, Jake Stockton and Jackson Kinley all contributed points. Junior defenseman Will Wright and junior long stick midfielder Kaden Fults also had some of their best defensive performances of the year up to that point.
Vandegrift Vipers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, putting Drip on their heels. Taylor, Kinley, and junior attackman Austin Garza combined to fight back, bringing the score to 2-4 at the end of the first. Vipers would answer with another 3-0 fusillade, leaving the game 2-7 at the half. The second half would bring more of the same. Vandegrift’s senior class size and athleticism ultimately overpowered Drip, 11-7.
Senior attackman Noah Booth, junior midfielder Max Kort, senior defenseman Levi Houston, Packer, and Garza all added to the Drip tally but it was not enough. Drip was bit by the Vipers, 7-11.
Following two tough losses, Drip (36) hosted a struggling Westwood (0-10) the following weekend and dominated as expected. Everything was working with Wittenburg, A.Garza, Booth, Coyt, Kort, Taylor, Rand, and junior midfielder Logan Garza contributing points enroute to a 16-4 victory. Booth and A.Garza both had hat tricks.
Prior to gametime against district opponent Austin High School, black clouds dominated the southeastern skyline. Stockton brushed it off on his way to an offensive explosion and a hat trick. Packer, Booth, Wittenburg, and A.Garza all scored points as well - but Drip could not win face-offs and struggled to defend the Maroons’ deadly perimeter shooting. Spring rain began to fall as Drip dropped a competitive game to the Maroons. The game was closer than the final score of 12-6 might have indicated.
Drip, with a 4-7 record at this point, couldn’t wait to get on the road against Alamo Heights. With improved chemistry, led by head coach Michael Staub and new defensive assistant Logan Crank, Drip lacrosse became musical on Sunday, April 6. Drip confronted a strong Class B Alamo Heights Mules team (8-3). Prior to this game, the Mules had defeated TMI and Anderson, both of whom had beaten Drip in earlier matches.
The Mules’ train was bogged down early and often by an oppressive Drip ride and an oversized load of Wittenburg points. Wittenburg dazzled with five for the day. Kort also had a breakout game with two beautiful solo goals. Kinley, Packer, Booth, and A.Garza also contributed with a melody of beautifully assisted goals for the resounding come from behind victory. Drip won 14-8.
As of April 13, Drip evened their overall record to 7-7, notching victories against the depleted Vista Ridge Rangers and traveling Washington State Juanita Ravens. Drip won, 18-7 in a runaway contest against the Rangers and 12-11 in the highly contested game against the Ravens. The combined offensive efforts were led by Stockton (6G,4A), Wittenburg (6G,1A), A.Garza (5G,3A), Taylor (3G,4A) and Booth (3G, 2A). Packer (2G,1A), Kinley (1G), Baugh (1G,1A), L.Garza (1G), S.Rand (1G) also contributed. The defense was led by Ault (19 saves), Zimmerman, and Levi Houston.
In the final two games of the regular season, Drip (7-7) will face off against TMI (8-3) at home on April 16, at 7:30PM. With no rest for the weary, they play away at Westlake (7-2) the following evening, on April 17th, at 7PM. Both matchups will be challenging barometers for a Drip team that seems to be finding their identity and has stepped it up a notch for their new head coach.
