Donning their reversible lacrosse pinnies for the first home game in school history the Atlantic Community High School Eagles boys and girls lacrosse teams took the field against established high school programs to build a new lacrosse legacy in Delray Beach. On a cool evening under the lights, the Atlantic Eagles Boys Lacrosse won an exciting 9-7 game over the Wellington Wolverines and the Atlantic Girls Lacrosse team who have only been practicing for a month, played tough in a 17-4 loss to Olympic Heights Community High School from Boca Raton. The Atlantic Boys Lacrosse charge was led by Kai Cheslack with four goals, Xavier Garay with three goals and Alex Yarnall and Bryce Conley with a goal each. The Atlantic Girls Lacrosse inaugural effort was led by Vivian Cheslack with two goals and Ingrid Marinak and Alexis Fisher with a goal apiece. “It is amazing, we do love the sport and it’s such a great team to be part of because everyone is so supportive of each other. Now that our school finally has lacrosse program is awesome! We’re all working so hard, we’re trying, we’re playing our spots. I play midfield so my favorite thing to do in lacrosse is to run and attack on a defense. I love just being part of the game. We’re super excited and pumped even if we’re not the top team in the area yet. The community should come out and see us because we do appreciate the support,” said Alexis Fisher, sophomore, midfielder. “Win or lose, we’re using this season to grow as a team. We’ve only been practicing for a little over a month,” said Atlantic Girls Lacrosse Coach Kristen Scopetski. Atlantic Boys Lacrosse Coach Kevin Finneran told his players after their first program win that in all of his years around the game of lacrosse he’s seldom come across a group of players who worked harder toward their goals. “For four years they have been trying to get a team on campus. Parent Randy Kurtz has been instrumental and fantastic in making this happen. I lent my support and looked into the logistics with the FHSAA and our Athletic Director Kevin Logan investigated the idea, and helped make it happen along with Coach Kevin Finneran’s enthusiasm, know-how, helped us to crystalize what parents and students see on the field tonight,” said Anthony Lockhart, principal, Atlantic Community High School (shown above “officiating” the face-off). Both of Atlantic’s Lacrosse teams were supported by bleachers filled with dedicated students, parents, school administrators and former college and pro lacrosse players who have come together as a community to create a vision of lacrosse at high school rightly known for its academics first focus and sports prowess in other sports. Atlantic’s Lacrosse teams will be playing a 12-game season as an independent team in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), meaning at this time they don’t compete in a postseason tournament or championship. Atlantic Boys Lacrosse player Nicholas Los, 16, sophomore, started a personal project as a freshman to proposal to get lacrosse as a sport at Atlantic Community High School. He started playing lacrosse at age 11, at Unity School in Delray Beach and in the Delray Riptide Lacrosse youth lacrosse program. “I found financials, I helped get a petition out to the students to see who really wanted to play and I worked with parent Randy Kurtz on grants and helped get the team going. We succeeded and it’s great. Playing in the inaugural game was thrilling; it was a lot of fun to see my teammates get into lacrosse. For some of the new guys, I was really happy they got to play and they really killed it out there. I remember when I first started playing lacrosse it was my favorite thing in the world and I’m really hoping the new lacrosse players will have the same reaction and really love to learn the sport,” said Nicholas Los. “Our coach is an impeccable man, Coach Finn is amazing. He taught us a lot about the sport, he’s a very smart man, really great coach and I wouldn’t have it any other way than have him as my coach.” Earlier in the week, Atlantic Girls Lacrosse played their first ever game, on the road at Palm Beach Central High School. The Atlantic Girls Lacrosse team lost 21-14; however they came from behind to tie the game 8-8 at the half. They were even ahead a short time 9-8 in the second half. Vivian Cheslack (senior, attacker) scored seven goals and Atlantic Girls Lacrosse first goal ever. Ingrid Marinak (sophomore, midfield) scored five goals and Alexis “Lexie” Fisher (sophomore, midfield) scored two goals. Game photos from both the girls and boys games will be posted next week.   FLN Note:  Please welcome Dave DiPino as a contributing writer.  Dave is a Jupiter native and played four years of varsity football for the Warriors long before the lacrosse program was started.  New to our sport, Dave brings a different view which you should enjoy.  He’s also a professional writer, and as all of you know, that’s a welcome addition to our site.  Welcome Dave!