On Friday, May 1, the Lions’ lacrosse team lost 15-10 in the quarterfinals of the Texas High School Lacrosse League (THSLL) Class AA championship bracket to the Episcopal School of Dallas Eagles. One of the biggest rivalries in Texas lacrosse, the Lions came in looking to avenge their 16-5 regular season loss to the Eagles, who entered the tournament as the two seed while the Lions were placed at seventh.
After winning the opening face-off, the Lions lost possession, but a big hit by Weston Chance forced the Eagle player out of bounce, giving the ball back to the Lions and setting the physical tone of the game. After a few turnovers by both offenses, Warren Wier landed the first goal of the game on a long strike as the shot clock expired.
Charlie Aisner followed up the next possession with a drive and high shot that beat the Eagles’ keeper as the Lions had a two-goal lead midway through the first period, but the Eagles won the following draw and went all the way to the goal for a quick response. After a few changes of possession, the Eagles scored again on a quick transition to even the score at two. The Eagles built momentum, scoring a third goal before the quarter ended.
The second quarter was all Eagles to start as they scored seven goals in nine minutes to take a 10-2 lead. With just two minutes before the half, Aisner ripped a long shot into the net, followed by another from Mac Saye as the Lions trimmed the lead to six and built some confidence before the break.
After another quick goal by Saye coming out of halftime, the Eagles settled into a possession-based game, keeping the Lions from getting quick opportunities and holding the ball on offense for long stretches. The Eagles scored twice to take a seven goal lead, but a ricochet off the post allowed the Lions to finally break out as Aisner completed his hat-trick as the period ended 12-6 in favor of the Eagles.
The Lions desperately tried to keep their season alive, pushing the pace and attacking aggressively. Wier scored with seven minutes left, but the Eagles answered with two quick goals to make the score 14-7. The Lions offense made one last final push, with Michael Jimenez scoring in transition, followed by a goal by Matthew Wier. Chance continued to show his physicality, leveling a defender in route to a third straight Lions’ goal, but the push came up short. The Eagles won the draw with less than three minutes left, and played keep-away the rest of the game as Lions’ defenders slashed at the ball. With just three seconds left, the Eagles scored a final open-net goal, ending the game 15-10.
With the loss, the Lions’ lacrosse team is finished for the season. Although a tough ending, the Lions had a 14-5 record and an SPC championship, the program’s first since 2012. While the team won the Class A state championship last year, the Lions reached the more selective Class AA bracket this year, cementing them as one of the top programs in the state.
