As the middle of the regular season approaches, the boys lacrosse team has achieved a league record of 4-2, placing them third in the De Anza Division behind Sacred Heart Prepatory and Menlo School.
The team’s excellent performance in their first three league games were stifled by consecutive losses to their two main competitors: Sacred Heart and Menlo.
Early predictions that Sacred Heart would pose a huge threat to the team’s winning record came true when the two teams faced off on April 8, and finished the game with a final score of 14-4.
“[The Sacred Heart game] was tough; they have a really good team,” senior Jordan Gans said. “We were neck and neck at halftime and then fell apart and lost the game badly.”
Gans believes the loss against Menlo High School could be largely attributed to the game’s setting.
“[The game against] Menlo was over Spring Break,” Gans said. “We were missing a lot of people and I was injured and played close defense instead of midfield.”
However, the team has fared well in games against other teams. In a conference game against Burlingame High School on April 10, Palo Alto High School won by a margin of 14 points. That game was also followed by another nonconference victory against Los Altos High School on April 17, where the team won with a final score of 11-6.
“We have had a rough couple of games, but had a really good win against Burlingame our last game,” Gans said. “Hopefully we can play like that for the rest of the season.”
Gans went on to comment on his personal goals for this season as a captain.
“I want to help everyone reach what ever goals they have for lacrosse, for some guys that means playing in college and for others it mean having fun,” Gans said. “I also want to lead the team by example and play harder than anyone else on the field.”
Coach DJ Shelton notes that the leadership amongst team members is a driving force of the team.
“It’s [a] very older-kid-led team,” Shelton said. “That experience really carries through in terms of the maturity of the team and the leadership they demonstrate both on and off the field.”
