Thanks to Tom Congdon for the writeup and the pictures of this first round matchup!   First round of the Florida High School Athletic Association Lacrosse Playoffs kicked-off on Thursday. Thirty-two teams from around the state competed to move one step closer to a trip to Jupiter for the state championship. I decided to check in on the matchup between the Belen Jesuit Wolverines and Western Wildcats. This was my third time seeing Belen play in recent weeks. Despite hearing that Belen had beat Western easily during the regular season, I was anticipating a closer contest.  This is, after all, the playoffs. During warmups, the overall size of Western’s players made you wonder if it would have a major impact on the game.  In their black uniforms, they looked like the bigger team, but Belen looked loose and confident, playing on their home turf.     At the start of the game you could see both teams were guarded. Although ball possession favored Belen, they took their time measuring Western’s defense.  At 5:39 into the first quarter the wait was over. Belen struck first. Nicholas Smith #2 passes to Deiter Prussing #19 for a score.  Two minutes later, Smith #2 completes another nice pass, this time to Maurice Milton #31 for a tally.  Despite the scores, Western’s defense is holding up against Belen’s potent offense, but the inability to clear the ball by Western simply dashes any hope of countering goals by Belen. In my mind, the faceoff after the second Belen score took the wind out of Western’s sails.  Belen (#3) wins the faceoff and dashes into Western’s defensive end for a quick score.  A minute later, Belen clears the ball and takes it down the field for another score.  Nice assist by Roberto Fernandez #4 to Prussing #19.  The first quarter ends with Smith’s third assist of the game to Fernandez #4. The 2nd quarter picks up where the 1st quarter ended – a score by Fernandez #4 (assisted by Milton #31).  At 8:08, Smith #2 decides to take matters into his own hands and scores. Western cannot clear the ball and Fernandez #4 is having a great game thus far. At 7:08, Belen is man-up.  Smith #2 makes a great pass from behind the goal to Prussing #19, who quick-sticks it into the goal to make it 8-0 Belen. Western wins the faceoff but throws it away. Belen takes advantage of the turnover and scores (#34 to #2).   Six seconds later, Rogelio Consuguegra #24 scores on an assist by #21.  Belen is eating up all the ground balls in this game.  Belen’s coaches are instructing their players to keep moving and pass the ball quickly; keeping their players focused on playing to a level that will take them deep into the playoffs. The 2nd quarter ends with Fernandez #4 scoring, giving Belen an insurmountable lead (11-0).     The 2nd half begins with Belen playing with a ton of confidence. Belen scores under a minute into the 3rd quarter. Six more goals are scored by Belen.  We’re now into the 4th quarter before Western notches their first score of the game. The sideline of Western parents applauds to show their kids they admire their efforts.  They quickly tally again on a fast break to bring the score to 18-2, but Belen comes right back with a score to remind Western who’s in charge of this game.  Western and Belen tally one more goal apiece, and the game ends with a convincing win for Belen (20-3).   Stats: Belen: #1 (1 assist); #2 (4 goals/8 assists); #3 (1 goal/1 assist); #4 (6 goals); #7 (1 goal); #9 (1 assist); #19 (5 goals/1 assist); #21 (2 assists); #24 (2 goals); #31 (1 goal/1 assist); #34 (1 assist). Western: Goals by #11, #18 and #21. Overall, a great win for Belen. Another well balanced attack, but they’ll have to clean up some sloppy passing if they want to keep their win streak alive.  Should be a real thriller next Tuesday, April 18 as Belen travels to play Gulliver Prep. Game time is set for 5 p.m.  Hope to see you there.