Sterling (May 31, 2013) – From the opening faceoff to the air horn signaling the game’s end, the Titans boys lacrosse team put on a show for the home fans at Dominion High School as they took down the Broad Run Spartans, 16-8, in the quarterfinal of the Virginia State tournament Friday.
“We play a simple game: groundballs, catch, throw, play great defense,” Dominion coach Pete Lenottii said. “We work hard. This was just another game, just a little harder.”
Led offensively by junior Jack Flynn (6 goals) and senior Brett Bushman (2 goals, 3 assists), the Titans took the lead 52-seconds in — senior Cody Farmer (3 goals) shot into the lower right hand corner of the net while cutting through across the seam — and they never looked back.
“For this group, this is the last time playing on this field this year,” Flynn said. “It was a big home game, a big crowd and we came to play.”
Dominion did not let down after their first goal adding three more goals in the first against a very physical Broad Run defense.
“We’ve played Broad Run before: they’re a big football school so we know when we play them they’re going to be real physical out there,” Bushman said. “They’re going to give it their all. We don’t want to play down to anyone so we just came up and matched them.”
The physicality was evident all night long as two huge hits – one for the Spartans and one for the Titans – ended in goals for both teams.
“The refs let you play a little bit more when you get to states. It’s more physical,” Lenotti said. “That’s the game we want to play. That’s our kind of game.”
With just over five minutes to play in the first half, Flynn had a break away and headed for the net with a one-on-one chance. As he wound up to take the shot, the Broad Run defense came from behind knocking him over as he released the ball which sailed into the back of the net.
As the third quarter wound down, the intensity continued as Broad Run junior Ryan Cummings was pounded to the ground during a shot that got passed the Titan’s goalkeeper bringing the Spartan’s within five. However, Dominion’s defense was relentless and never gave in.
“We have a lot of faith in our D-poles,” Bushman said. “We know they have really good sticks and that they’re going to check the ball really well. As long as we do our job on the offensive end, they’re going to do theirs at the defensive end. Game in and game out they just come out to play.”
Dominion will have to come out to play again on Wednesday, June 5 at 5 p.m. as they take on the Northern Region champion Madison in the state semifinal at Westfield High School.
“We’re going to come out intense,” Flynn said. “We want to win a state championship this year.”
Stats:
Dominion
Farmer 3 goals
Jakab 1 goal, 1 assist
Flynn 6 goals
Tarrant 2 goals, 1 assist
Ashley 1 assist
Wagner 1 assist
Bushman 2 goals, 3 assists
Royce 1 goal
Kirschta 1 goal
Broad Run
Rook 2 goals, 1 assist
Ganzer 1 goal
Moore 1 goal
Boone 1 assist
Ervin 1 goal
Cummings 2 goals, 1 assist
Dunn 1 goal
