BY GENE NARDI
On Friday, Feb. 20, the Palm Beach Central High School boys varsity lacrosse team hosted the Kings Academy in a non-district match and lost to the Lions 10-8.
The Lions drew first blood just two minutes into the contest, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Broncos pushed back and pressured the TKA defense with two shots on goal, but the Lions’ goalie made key saves to help maintain the lead.
Both teams battled back, but it was Palm Beach Central (2-2) that managed to find the back of the net. Kevin Hagerty launched a rocket for the Broncos to beat the Lions’ goalie for the equalizer.
The Bronco surge did not last, as the Lions quickly responded with the go-ahead goal to take a 2-1 lead into the second period.
The Lions increased their lead to two when they scored in the first minute of the second quarter to take a 3-1 lead. Hagerty scored his second goal to chip into the Lions’ lead.
The teams went blow-for-blow, and it was the Lions who responded a minute later, to double their lead at 4-2 to end the half.
Just two minutes into the second half, Tyler Thomasson found the back of the net for the Broncos. Again, the Lions would respond to the feisty Broncos with a goal of their own, to resume their two-goal lead at 5-3.
However, the Broncos tied it up again with a pair of goals from Austin Cavallo and Thomasson to bring it to 5-5.
Sean Lemay gave Palm Beach Central its first lead of the game, beating the Lions’ goalie for a 6-5 lead. The Bronco lead was brief and to be the last of the game. Two minutes later, TKA tied it up at 6-6, and eventually went on to score four more goals, to the Broncos’ two, and took the match 10-8.
Palm Beach Central provided plenty of offense but could not capitalize on possessions or get by a stingy Lions goalie.
Hagerty is credited with a hat trick, scoring three goals. Thomasson is credited with two goals and two assists, and Cavallo also scored two goals.
The Broncos are 2-2 on the season. They team hosted Cardinal Newman on Tuesday and traveled to South Fork on Friday, but results were not available by press time.
ABOVE: Steve Acquaviva takes the ball up field.
