http://my.hsj.org/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_p2gziljwachoeqq3e3vkkyyt_f22055e8-81da-4554-8a5a-41717d6da9e1_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:58:39 GMT 15 By Alex Dadds, Staff Reporter
    The Trinity Rocks lacrosse team took on the Ballard Bruins under the lights at Ballard.   Despite a slow field due to the mud, the Rocks beat the Bruins handily 6-1. This game has a history of producing some anger on the field between the bitter rivals; some call this game "the backyard brawl." The Rocks (6-1), undefeated in the state, came out hot against the Bruins (2-1), scoring the first goal with the help of sophomore midfielder Dylan Valenti. After Valenti’s goal, the Rocks never looked back. With a strong defensive performance and relentless saves by senior All-State goalie Colin Reichert, the Rocks took a 4-0 lead at halftime. After adding two more goals in the third quarter, the Rocks took a 6-0 lead and total control of the game. Despite a Ballard goal late in the fourth quarter, the Rocks held on to defeat the Bruins easily 6-1. "The game went really well and we were only a few minutes away from pitching a shutout," said senior defenseman Palmer Simpson, who is bound for Jacksonville University. "We’re starting to pull things together, and we’ve made huge improvements since the season opener against KCD." Coming off a disappointing quarterfinal loss to Sayre in last year’s state tournament, Simpson said this team has worked harder than any other team thus far. Reichert received the defensive game ball, allowing only one goal in which the ball only crossed the line by inches. First-year starter and senior Ben Welter ("Mr. Opportunity") received the offensive game ball for his contribution of three goals. "It went okay; we played a little sloppy but the field doesn’t help," Rocks head coach Pete Schroeder said. "We had to grind one out today." Looking toward the future, winning the state title is on the minds of every player out on the field. The Rocks know they must "do it big" in order to accomplish such a daunting task. Ballard coach Tyler Montgomery was clearly disappointed in his team’s performance against the Rocks. "Trinity came out hot, like they normally do," Montgomery said. "Ballard came out thinking they’d have a walk-through, but they obviously had a rude awakening." ]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:59:05 GMT