On a cool spring’s evening in Boca Raton, Fla., on Saturday, Boys’ Latin opened its 2011 lacrosse season with a southern visit to the St. Andrew’s Scots, the eight-time defending Florida state champions.  Bolstered by a strong performance from its their underclassmen, Bobby Shriver’s Lakers powered their way to a 16-8 victory.

The Scots are off to a strong start despite being without long time head coach Jeff Goldberg, who gave way this spring to his former assistant, R.J. Dawson, but BL took control in the continuation of what has become a consistent inter-state rivalry.

Laker underclassmen combined for seven of the team’s 16 goals, but Bucknell bound senior Andrew Dempsey led the way with a hat-trick, as 10 BL players scored in the contest.  The Stanwick brothers, Shack and Wells, combined for a big night, as Shack had two goals and an assist and Wells assisted on six Laker goals.  In addition, junior Greg Pyke pocketed two top corner goals and scooped up a pair of groundballs.

Sophomores Colin Heacock (2 goals) and Ben Pridemore (1 goal, 1 assist) also saw major time for the visiting Lakers in their first varsity game.  The Lakers scored consistently, netting four goals in each quarter.

For the Lakers, the face-off role is a major question after losing current UNC star RG Keenan.  The Lakers split the face-offs between three different players, led by freshman Hunter Moreland.  Moreland won better than 70% of his draws.

For the Scots, junior attackman Jordan Todd scored two goals and had an assist in the first half before getting injured.   Senior middie MJ Lorenzo carried the load the rest of the way as he had three goals and an assist.

Despite giving up a season-high 16 goals, the Scots defense was superb, led by senior captain Quinn Cade, who was assigned to the exhausting task of guarding Hopkins bound captain Wells Stanwick.  Cade, who will be attending Brown University next Fall, showcased his terrific foot speed and impressive stick checks.  His play was certainly supported by goalie Chris Kelly, who made 14 saves on the night, including numerous one on one stops, keeping the Scots in it early.

Defensively the Lakers were led by Ben Kellar, who scored his first career goal and snagged five groundballs, and Adam Davey, who made eight saves on the night along with four groundballs of his own.  The Lakers featured a variety of long-poles, exchanging different players at close and LSM throughout the game.

The Lakers and Scots continued a growing rivalry, with Wells Stanwick characterizing the contests as the “coolest and most fun” he’s ever been in.”

Stanwick’s characterization was apt, the air was filled with excitement from the moment the teams started warming up, and continued through the final whistle.

Boys’ Latin 16, St. Andrew’s (Fl) 8
Goals:  BL-A. Dempsey 3, G. Pyke 2, S. Stanwick 2, C. Heacock 2, T. Stothoff 2, C. Rubino, G. Sheetz, T. Kiddy, B. Kellar, B. Pridemore; SA-M, Lorzeno 3, J. Todd 2, K. Clemenza, S. Real, C. Whipple.
Assists: BL-W. Stanwick 6, S. Stanwick, A. Whitman, B. Pridemore; SA-M. Lorenzo, C. Whipple, J. Todd.
Saves:  BL-A. Davey 8, Chris Rizakos; SA-C. Kelly 14.