Two years ago, Northwood added boys’ lacrosse as a varsity sport. After an 0-16 record in its 2011 season, the team had a change in tides for its 2012 season, finishing 4-12.
With two key conference wins against Orange High School and wins against 4A schools, Pinecrest and Heritage, the boys’ lacrosse team has made strides in just two years.
Senior goalie Daniel Ball pointed to the quadruple overtime win against Heritage as a particularly important game.
“That [win] felt really good for me. I was thinking, ‘Just don’t let [a goal] in,” said Ball, who earned second-team All-Conference.
Head coach Kevin McDaniel noted that others are noticing the success of the team.
“You can see what happened in just one year by looking at our records. Refs talk to us and tell us how much we have improved,” said McDaniel.
Ball elaborated on why he thinks the team has been doing so much better this year.
“It’s more of a team now since our first win,” said Ball. “Everything has just come together.”
McDaniel not only agreed with Ball, but also addressed the change in the technical aspect of the players’ skills.
“We can catch and throw, and we are starting to get more game theory down, starting to run plays,” said McDaniel. “But mainly our fundamentals have stepped up.”
Returning players such as Ball, juniors Cory Volk and Daniel Burwell, and sophomore Wesley Meyer have all contributed to the newfound success, but also junior-transfer Jimmy Ashness and newcomer senior Matt Johnson have helped the Chargers. The addition of freshmen Jack Dalton, Ryan Harradine and Tyler Romel has also brought new talent.
Even though the team does not have a stellar record, and suffered lopsided losses to powerhouse schools such as Chapel Hill High and East Chapel Hill High, McDaniel said that his team focuses more on doing better against them than they did last time.
“Teams that are at our competitive level, those are the games that we look forward to. It gives us a chance at winning,” said McDaniel.
The chances for winning will only improve with the increase of young talent, giving Northwood lacrosse time to grow into something bigger and better.
“We have given [the season] some time, and time is on our side, so we are gradually getting better as a team,” said Junior Dan Gingerich.
Sophomore Rob Hamlet agreed with Gingerich.
“I hope we will be able to come back next year and win just as many,” said Hamlet. “I see us being able to be successful and advance more in two or three years.”
Senior Will Stine described the future of Northwood lacrosse as bright.
“In a few years I see lacrosse becoming a key sport at Northwood,” said Stine.
–By Emily Brooks