Skip to Main Content

Go Eagles!

Eisenhower High School

Menu

Go Eagles!

Eisenhower High School

Go Eagles!

Eisenhower High School

Game Summaries & Headlines.

Game Summary

4.0 years ago @ 9:04AM

Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. Dakota HS School

Game Date
May 17, 2019
Score
EAGLES: 10
DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL: 8

Back on April 13, Eisenhower handed Dakota its second of three total losses this season. The Eagles made sure it happened again, but this time on the road and in the first round MHSAA Division I regionals.

Led by goals from eight different players, Eisenhower secured a 10-8 victory over the Cougars (13-4) at Dakota High School on Friday to advance in the playoffs. Dakota’s season, however, is over.

When Dakota coach Mike Benavides approached Eisenhower coach Andrew Ferrari after the contest, he said, “Best of luck in the postseason.”

Even though the teams are bitter rivals on the field, there is a level of respect between the programs.

“The respect is crazy,” Ferrari said. “They are a young lacrosse team, so for them to play a game like they did today, it’s phenomenal. Last game was totally different, and they made great adjustments.”

The Eagles (9-8) will take Anchor Bay, a 10-9 winner of Port Huron United on Saturday. The regional semifinal starts at 6:30 p.m.  Thursday.

“We kept our eyes up and played a team game, which will ultimately lead to more victories,” Ferrari said. “We have the opportunity from here on out to play at home. We get to play at our field, and it’s big.”

Dakota sophomore Anthony Tocco set the tone early at the 10:49 mark on a steal-and-score from 10 yards away, beating Eisenhower senior goalie Mark Denha to the top-right shelf of the cage.

Eisenhower junior Shewell Vaughn responded with 7:50 left in the first quarter by pouring in a goal of his own off an assist from junior Evan Gregorich to knot the game, 1-1. Junior Antonio Sumner and Gregorich scored back-to-back goals against Dakota goalie Bryce Wawrzyniak about three minutes later for a 3-1 edge.

Throughout the first half, the Eagles used tenacious defense and took advantage of a majority of their forced turnovers to get out in front.

Junior Matthew Bean put Eisenhower ahead, 4-1, on a slow rolling backhand underneath the legs of the keeper with 2:12 to play in the first frame. Dakota junior Nolan Benoit found the back of the net just a few moments before the conclusion of the quarter, cutting the Cougars deficit to two.

Benoit scored his second of the game to open the second quarter, but Eisenhower junior Brandon McLane answered 22 seconds later to put the Eagles ahead, 5-3.

Eisenhower got two goals from Seth Bradcas and Gregorich before Dakota sophomore Brandon Hoerauf scored the final goal of the first half with 3:02 to play, but Eisenhower controlled a 7-4 lead.

“It’s a team effort, so my goals are the team’s goals,” Gregorich said of his performance. “I may have put the ball in the net, but I couldn’t have got it done without my teammates.”

The second half was dead quiet until the 4:21 mark when Hoerauf cut Dakota’s deficit to 7-5, but Eisenhower returned the favor 30 seconds later on a goal by senior defenseman Ricky Rios. Down by three, Benoit tallied his third goal of the contest after a tough battle in the crease.

Benoit’s goal trimmed the Cougars’ deficit to 8-6, but sophomore attacker Gage Gjorgjeski made it a three-score lead once again as time about to expire in the third quarter.

Tocco scored for Dakota with 3:51 left in the game, but it was too little, too late.

Eisenhower’s Bean and Dakota’s Robbie Dameron traded goals in the final three minutes, but the Eagles closed out the final minute strong on defense to secure a 10-8 win.

“It was intense,” Gregorich said. “I wouldn’t say we were worried, but we knew we had to come in here and play hard. They are a good team.”

Vaughn, one of Eisenhower’s top players, injured his leg early in the second quarter after setting up McLane’s goal. He was carried off the field by Ferrari. The extent of his injury is unknown, Ferrari said.

“He’s one of our best left-handed players,” Ferrari said. “He’s a big part of the team’s morale and gets guys going. It’s a big loss. We hope he comes back.”

The regional championship game is May 28.


https://eisenhowerathletics.org