The Benjamin Boys Varsity lacrosse team ended the regular season with a 16-1 record. The Bucs are ranked second in Florida and look to make the State Championship bracket again.
Many players lead this team, headlined by Navy commit and junior Alex Ponchock and the team’s top goal scorer, freshman Jack Kelleher.
“My goal for the postseason is to play well as a team and win a state championship,” Ponchock stated. “I feel like if we work as a team to get better and work on our weaknesses, Saint Andrew’s will be easy for us.”
The boys’ team’s only loss was to the state’s number one team, Saint Andrew’s, 16-10. The Scots were dominant in the first three quarters, but the Bucs tried to make a run at the end of the game, scoring five goals in the last quarter.
“Since Saint Andrew’s is such a big rival, we want vengeance on them and to beat them for the first time in program history. We lost to them two years ago in the state championship, and we are looking forward to getting our revenge,” sophomore Jake Ivancevic said.
Kelleher leads the team in goals per game (3.7), points (90), and shots on goal (96). As a team leader, Kelleher is high on this team.
“If we want to make it to States, we have to put in the work in every practice and during film sessions,” Kelleher remarked. “We just have to take things seriously because now every game is win or go home for us.”
Many seniors are on this team, including Hudson Byrne who is ready to give it his all in his last postseason run as a Buc.
“I think everyone on the team is committed to the season. Everyone wants to win for themselves and, most of all, for each other. There’s a great sense of brotherhood on the team, so every time we have a game, it’s always hyped, and once we step on the field, all the boys are ready to go,” Byrne remarked. “This is my last run with this team, and I am ready to let it all out on the field for this team and try my hardest to get this state championship for the team and our school.”
Sophomore Tatum Little took the spot on the team as the goalie last year after not having much experience. He had 100 saves this year, which was vital to this team’s success.
“Due to many factors, I feel like I have gotten more consistent and better as a goalie this season than last year,” Little explained. I worked throughout the summer on many things to help me as a goalie. The help of our team’s new goalie coach, Phill Huffard, really improved my goalie skills.”
With the many injuries this season, many underclassmen have taken a more prominent role on the team. Sophomore Jake Froot filled in for many games and scored 13 goals throughout the regular season.
“During the off-season, I spent many hours by myself working on my game, and that is a big part of the reason why I have improved so much,” Froot explained. I am excited to be heading into the playoffs since we are confident in ourselves, and we are all close. We have never felt better about our playing, and we are ready to bring our A-game into the postseason.”
There are many games left in the postseason, and they look to make a huge run. The boys’ lacrosse team looks ready for what is ahead of them.
