BAINBRIDGE – The venue changed, but the story remained the same, for the Bainbridge High varsity boys lacrosse team as they scored an 8-5 win over the visiting Seattle Academy at the Battle Point Park field Wednesday, April 16.
The victory brought the team’s overall season record to 4-1.
The top scoring Spartans were Ben LaRoche and Jackson Larkin, who each managed three goals throughout the game.
BHS goalie Reynolds Yarbrough managed a save rate of 75 percent, blocking 15 out of 20 shots.
Both halves of the co-head coaching duo agreed that although the team did win, the performance was not their best.
“Like in any close game I think we made it harder than it needed to be,” said Spartan Co-head Coach Cody Bludorn, citing the team’s overall hesitation and lack of aggressive offensive plays as the main reasons they didn’t score more.
“Maybe they’re a little unsure of their skills at this point in the season,” he said of the players.
“That’s something that comes with field time. The older guys definitely need to step up and lead the younger guys, but then also the younger guys are going to push the older guys. If the older guys don’t show it, then the younger guys are going to be on the field.”
Overall, Bludorn added, the team had an off night.
“I thought it was sloppy,” he said of the game. “I think we tightened up our defense a little more in the second half, but offense was sloppy all the way through. We can play a lot better than that.”
Putting Wednesday’s lackluster performance behind them was especially crucial for the team, Bludorn explained, as they approached the home game against long-time rivals Mercer Island on Friday.
“Every year Bainbridge Island is defined by two things in lacrosse,” he said. “Did you win the state championship, and did you beat Mercer Island? A win or a loss, we just want to improve to be honest, but obviously a win against Mercer is always sweet.”
Contemplating the team’s progress since earlier in the season, Bludorn said that the team had made impressive strides defensively.
“Overall I’d say as a group, our defensive long stick unit has improved around Reynolds, our goalie,” he said. “They’re the only unit that kind of played well in any portion of the game today.”
