The William Byrd lacrosse program is experiencing some expected growing pains in just the second year of having varsity teams. The Terriers are struggling against more established programs, and that was evident last Thursday when the Byrd girls and boys hosted Salem.
In back-to-back games, the Terriers were shut out by both the Salem girls and boys. The girls fell 19-0 and the boys then lost to Salem, 18-0.
In both games, the scores could have been worse. Evamarie Pascoe made some fantastic saves in goal for the Byrd girls and Payton Meadows followed by recording 18 saves in the boys’ game. Their play was a silver line on a biting cold evening with high winds and few fans in attendance.
“We have a very young and novice team, but these boys don’t quit,” said Byrd coach Greg Warren.
On Monday the Terrier teams played at Cave Spring and the girls pulled out their first win of the season, beating the Knights at Bogle Field, 8-5. That avenged a 10-9 loss to the Knights in the season opener.
“Our midfield forced multiple turnovers that led to three of our five first half goals,” said Byrd coach Dan Eberhardt. “We started the second half with a couple of quick goals but gave up three in six minutes to Cave Spring. Our offense was able to overwhelmingly control the ball in the last eight minutes of the game, finishing the game with our first win of the season.”
The boys lost at Cave Spring, 19-1, with Lucas Stroop scoring the lone goal. Meadows had 32 saves.
Both teams are back in action tonight as they host Franklin County at Patterson Stadium. The girls will open the doubleheader at 5:30 pm with the boys to follow at 7:30 pm.
Both teams are off for spring break next week, returning April 9 to host Rockbridge for a doubleheader.
