Junior Pierce Walker keeps All-State watchlist player Ethan Burke in check. PHOTO BY TROY WALKER
#1 Westlake Downs Tiger Lacrosse
Westlake, the top ranked team in Texas, rolled into Dripping Springs on Friday night trying to keep its #1 ranking intact. The Chaparrals, under first year coach Zach Burke, has been mowing over opponents all year. It was senior night for the Tigers, and they had set a tough schedule in front of this game knowing it would take a battle tested team and an upset to defeat the 6A Chaps. Westlake would walk away as victors 11-6. The Chaps had an early season loss to Episcopal School of Dallas and a close contest against Kingwood, but the Tigers proved to be their biggest challenge in district play.
On senior night it was only fitting that the seniors stepped up. Ryan Thomas had 2 goals. Goalie Connor Mogen, a “watchlist” All-State player, had 19 saves. Logan Heinchon carried the hammer (award for gritty play) into the game and played stellar defense with 4 groundballs and 3 caused turnovers. Jack Lennon and Mogen were awarded the hammer.
KDRP color commentator Kenny Wottrich had this to say, “I thought this was the fastest and the best I've seen our guys play at a district game. A lot of playoff implications hang on the line going into the game vs Austin. A win and I think we lock up that 2 seed which would be a first-round bye and a lock to play in the state playoffs.”
The Drip lads play at House Park against the Maroons of Austin High on Thursday night. As Wottrich stated, a win should be a Tigers a first-round bye and an automatic Super Regional berth. They do need Vandegrift to beat Lake Travis to make this possible. A loss still keeps Drip in the playoff hunt but forces an extra game.
Junior Varsity kept its seasons of first alive beating Westlake 9-2, becoming the first lacrosse team to beat both Westlake and Lake Travis in the same season.
Everything is on the line in the final game of the regular season against Austin High on Thursday night at House Park. Both teams need a win. The victor could be a second seed in the District playoffs. The loser has an extra game and will most likely face Westlake again.