Scoring a dramatic game-winning goal with just eight seconds left, the Dragons High School Boys Lacrosse team ended St. Marks’ chances of repeating as State Champions and advanced to the Super Regional playoff this weekend.
St. Marks looked like the defending state champions as they were sharp early in the contest. They had the Dragons on their heels with an early 4-goal lead. Connor Harryman won the next faceoff, and with a series of quick passes, much like a well-executed double play in baseball, Harryman passed quickly to Bryce Wasserman, who just a quickly found fellow Attackman Tim Barnhart, who scored and the Dragons were on the board.
Another Lion goal made it 5-1 when Sophomore Dean DiBello broke free to score and bring the Dragons to 5-2. Harryman won the following faceoff, kept possession and hustled downfield to deposit his shot. In a 20-second span, the Dragons had closed to 5-3. The score would stand until the half despite heavy offensive pressure by St. Marks on Goalie Luke Millican, and the Dragon d-poles Jack Welding, Nathan Beam, Charley Compagnone, Kenny Lear and Brody Danel.
The Lions Graham Gillespie opened up the second half scoring to give St. Marks a 6-3 lead. The Dragons kept their composure and Freshman Casey Wasserman found his brother Bryce who narrowed the lead to 6-4. Bryce Wasserman scored his second goal of the 3rd period netting a shot with just 1 second remaining on the clock and the Dragons were within a goal and had momentum.
The Dragons and Lions offense had opportunities to start the 4th quarter, but both defenses were up to the task. Southlake Head Coach Bart Sullivan called a time out with 5:45 remaining and it worked as Junior Midfielder Michael Cox then opened up the final period scoring to tie the game at 6 all.
With less than 4 minutes to go, DiBello scored his second of the evening. For the first time in the game, the Dragons had the lead at 7-6.
St. Marks continued to battle and gained possession to secure a time out with just 1:41 remaining. The Lions came out of the timeout and played with a tremendous sense of urgency. Millican, and crew, were up to the task, making several point blank saves and hustle plays to repell St. Marks' efforts.
In a mad scramble in front of the Dragon net, Lion freshman attacker Jake Vaughn used a diving shot, while somehow keeping his feet and body out of the crease, to tie it again with just 21 seconds left.
In what would be their final faceoff in high school, two of the state’s best faceoff men Lion Riley Graham and Harryman went to the circle. As he had for the majority of face-offs of the night, Harryman won the faceoff and gained control and started downfield. Harryman found Bryce Wasserman, streaking at full speed toward the St. Marks goal. With just 8 seconds remaining, Wasserman netted the shot that clinched the playoff win and propelled the Dragons into the Super Regions.
The Dragons will face Anderson at 4:00 on Saturday 4/26 at Dragon Stadium. The winner will play again Sunday at 1:00 against the Woodlands.
The Dragon team is composed of Attackmen Scott Dickey, Ryan Juraidini, Carson Green, Holt Stairs. Midfielders are Cooper Green, A.J. Van den Dyssel, Alex Barnes, Brennan Mollere, Taylor Iniguez, Zach Bach and Long Stick Midfielder Nick Donfris. Goalies are Eryk Ross and Josh Sommerhalder. Other Defenseman are Justin Pearce, Michael Tsay, Jesse Havener, George Elmquist and Victor Simpson.
The Dragon Coaching staff includes Head Coach Bart Sullivan, Asst. Head Coach Mark Lynch, and Nick Bumpass and Delano Carniero.