Albemarle’s boys lacrosse team had to fight tooth and nail to get into the Region 5D championship.
Winning the title was a little easier.
The Patriots built a sizeable lead in the first half and rolled 12-6 past Mountain View Wednesday night on the road, clinching a home game in the state quarterfinals Friday. The win came nearly a week after the Patriots edged Patrick Henry-Roanoke to clinch a state tournament berth.
Albemarle’s offense has gotten locked in down the stretch to the point that it’s become a bit of pick your poison. Try and cut off one scorer and someone else will make you pay. But if you can’t contain top scorer Andrew Scanlon you’re a in a particular bit of trouble and Mountain View couldn’t..
Scanlon poured in five goals and dished out two assists to lead the Albemarle attack while Timmy Myers posted a hat trick and an assist. Cooper Cramer chipped in two goals and an assist while Forrest Warner and Alec Kelly each dished out two assists. Lucas Rambo and Eb McCarthy scored a goal each to round out the scoring. Ryan Tighe and Nolan Pittsenberger each had an assist.
The Albemarle defense was on point from the start too, holding Mountain View to just two goals in the first three quarters. Mountain View scored four of its six in the fourth quarter with Albemarle already in complete control. Albemarle held a 46-22 advantage on ground balls and an 18-4 edge in faceoffs. Matthew Willis finished with seven saves in the cage.
The Patriots face a quick turnaround ahead of the state quarterfinals. They’ll host John Champe Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
