There has been a quiet storm brewing in SWFL Lacrosse for years.  The Barron Collier Cougars have dominated the boys’ game in the area for as long as most can remember.  Earlier this year, they lost they lost their 1^st local lacrosse game since going to FHSAA three years ago.  Bishop Verot upset them 7-6.  It was a loss that hurt and in a weird way, they needed.    Awaken the Sleeping Giant.

The Cougars played with a chip on its shoulder and manhandled BV, 16-3, in the second-round play-in game at Bishop Verot. The Vikings (16-5) had their second-leading scorer Marc Krispinsky (Florida Southern), who missed five games due to injury this season, in its early-season win back too.  Is should have been a great contest, it wasn’t. Barron has outscored its opponents 64-6 in the playoffs and quickly took control and never let up.  Sophomore  Attacker Austin Miller opened the BC scoring on a blistering shot off a great feed from Sr. Matt Ihm and the route was on.  Constant offensive pressure and unselfish play carried the day for the Cougars.  Ihm racked up nine points on the night. He led all scorers in goals, with four, and assists, with five. “We had a strong game plan coming in, and we executed it pretty well,” Ihm said. “All my teammates moved and occupied their men, which gave me the opportunity to score.”  Ihm, Barron Collier’s leading scorer, scored 100 points in the regular season, and has already put up 26 in postseason play. “He’s been a leader all year for us,” Carter said. “He’s been a key guy other teams have locked on. We told him to just play his game. He was a true leader tonight. In the playoffs, that’s what it’s all about.” Ihm wasn’t the only Cougar on the attack.  What has become a great tandem, Ihm to Miller became a familiar connection as Ihm assisted on each of Miller’s three goals.  Sophomore  Andrew Goodrich also found the back of the net three times, and junior  Michael O’Dea scored two goals and contributed an assist. Barron Collier sophomore goalie Zach Woods posted 12 saves and allowed just two goals before resting at the end of the fourth quarter.  BC’s Top Ranked defense in Florida (3.56 GAA) flexed its muscle led by Sr. Justin Schwartz (Manhattan) and  sophomores  Michael Nathan & Ben Beatty. The defense just overwhelmed BV with crisp stick checks and athleticism.    It was 8-0 at half and BV never recovered.  Two goals by Krispinsky and one by Jessie Mitchell was all they could muster. The Cougars (16-3) play at home on Tuesday against the Benjamin School.  Benjamin beat a very good Vero Beach, 12-11, in overtime to advance.