The varsity Warriors faced the Yellowjackets on Wednesday, February 9 for their first 2022 spring season game. The varsity boy’s previous 2021 spring season ended with a total of 12 wins, securing the most season wins in NC lacrosse history. The 2022 team strives to meet and exceed the same results this season.

“I’m just gonna stay positive about the season, it’s a pretty young team. There’s a lot of youngins playing up with us, and it’s a lot of their first times playing on varsity, and I think it’s gonna be pretty great. I just stay on top of them, pick them up when they’re down, and let them know if they’re doing something wrong,” junior attack Ayden Miller (5) said. 

At the start of the game, the Warriors won the face off, leading senior attack Braden Coats (15) to score the first goal of the season less than three minutes into the game. The first quarter ended with the Warriors up 6-0. In the second quarter, NC scored four goals, leading the match 10-0. Sprayberry scored their first goal of the night, but the Warriors kept the lead with a score of 10-1. With nine seconds left before halftime, the Warriors scored their 11th goal ending the first half 11-1. NC scored three times in the third quarter ending with a 14-1 lead. The Warriors managed to score another three goals in the last quarter with the Warriors keeping a strong lead throughout the entire game, ending with the Warriors winning 17-1. 

Senior Brandon Sengvixay (9) and Juniors Matheus Talone (1) and Jonathan Godfrey (7) won a total of 16 faceoffs during the game, which gave the team possession of the ball leading to multiple goals from the attackers. Junior attacks Andrew LaPierre (30), Miller and Godfrey scored 2 goals each. Additionally,  Coats led the game with 4 goals himself. 

“I think there will be higher energy against harder teams and it’ll definitely be more intense. We’ll definitely try to clean up the unforced errors, but I’m pretty excited for the season because it’s my last season,” Coats said.

Coaches, parents and supporters cheered the team on as they won their first game and started their season strong. NC performed well, but despite their win, can still improve for future games.

“I’m always proud when they give 100% effort, they played hard. We got a lot of things to clean up before we can call it a good team and a good season, but these guys are working hard and we’re proud of that. I think they played really well tonight, this is our first season and they got all their butterflies out of the way, but overall they came around. We’re always working hard every single day in practice and make sure we rep everything we want to do offensively and defensively,” Head varsity boys coach Kyle Van Kauwenberg said.