Boys lacrosse: Prospect handles Hoffman Estates, snow
Aidan Murray was part of the first boys lacrosse team when District 214 approved the addition of boys and girls lacrosse two years ago to their six schools. Murray, along with many, hoped that the sport would catch on.
Not only has it caught on at Prospect, the boys team the has exploded. With just 50 members on the team a year ago, the Knights have increased that to 75 this season.
Murray, who never played lacrosse before he came out for the team last year in its inaugural season, has caught on too. The senior scored two goals and assisted on another as Prospect knocked off Hoffman Estates 7-3 Saturday in a game that ended in a snowstorm.
"Once you get the learning part over, it is a great sport," Murray said. "This game will be a core memory for me. I have never scored two goals in a varsity game."
Prospect coach Joe Battaglia, whose team only won five games last season, likes the direction his program is taking.
"There is a lot of excitement here," Battaglia said. "The kids put in the work in the offseason. We are seeing growth, even with the snow, and it is awesome."
Prospect (4-4) got off to a quick start. Sebastian Wildhart scored just 31 seconds into the game to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Prospect continued to dominate play. But the Knights couldn't increase their lead thanks to four saves in a row by Hoffman goalie Charlie Randolph, who would finish with 15 saves, including at least a half-dozen from point-blank range.
"Charlie is amazing," Hoffman Estates coach Daniel Canace said. "He keeps us in games. I thought the team that would make the least mistakes would win today. And we lost that battle."
Prospect continued the pressure and it paid off in a big way. Ryan Heany and Murray scored just 23 seconds apart to make it 3-0.
Hoffman (2-3) tried to climb back into the game. Kylar Pierce tallied 37 seconds into the second quarter to close the gap to 3-1.
Murray made sure that the Hawks wouldn't stay close.
He scored with 6:35 left in the first half on a great shot from 15 yards out, Murray then had a solid assist on a goal by Joe Minelli with 1:14 left in the half to put the Knights up 5-1 at the break.
The teams traded a pair of goals in the third period.
Nick Lobacz scored for Prospect to make it 6-1. Hoffman's Tom Lavelli followed about a minute later to make it 6-2. The Knights' John Peterson scored with 2:49 left in the quarter to make it 7-2 while the Hawks' Hayden Knappik scored on a nice short-side shot to make it 7-3 after three quarters.
Prospect got a great defensive effort from goalie Carter Jedras. Jack Olson, Matt Schacke, Luke Compton, Luca Bir, Minelli, Joey Dunka and Sam McGoon kept Hoffman away from the net most of the game.
"We have great communication," said Olson, who is a senior and former member of the football team who joined lacrosse this season.
"I am having so much fun out there. It really is a great game."
Also a newcomer, Schnacke said the Knights defense is working well.
"We just keep our separation," said Schnacke, who is a junior and playing lacrosse for the first time.
"We close the pocket so nothing gets in the middle."