Having difficulty winning close games against quality opponents is no longer an issue this season for the Washington-Liberty Generals boys lacrosse team.
Recent road victories over the Herndon Hornets and Lake Braddock Bruins by 11-9 and 9-6 scores, respectively, put that matter to rest, as the high-school team has its best record in years at 10-2.
The 10 wins are the Generals most in a season in 15 years.
Earlier in the season, W-L suffered one-goal losses to quality teams, learning from the experiences.
One of Washington-Liberty’s most recent wins, a comeback victory, was over Lake Braddock in non-district action. The Generals trailed 6-5 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored Lake Braddock, 4-0 in that quarter.
Washington-Liberty coach Clay Batley gave his team a motivational talk at halftime.
“This was an opportunity for us to learn and beat a big name and proud program like Lake Braddock far away from our school,” Batley told ARLnow. “They had a sense of belief tonight and stayed together.”
Washington-Liberty senior midfielder Jon Malatesta tied the game at 6 with 10:08 left in the fourth. Adam Dodini put the Generals ahead for good at 7-6 with 8:25 to play. Ryan Dodini scored two more insurance goals and goalie Alex Conner made a big save with 2:10 left.
Conner had 10 saves in the win, giving him 98 for the season through that match.
“We wanted to make a statement with the two wins,” Malatesta said about defeating Herndon and Lake Braddock. “We got our energy back in the second half [against Lake Braddock] after the second period.”
Washington-Liberty led 3-1 at the end of the first quarter as Malatesta scored each goal, then the game was tied at 4 at halftime.
Malatesta, who hopes to play college lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy, led the Generals with four goals. Connor Baum and Ryan Dodini scored two each, Adam Dodini one.
Conner made a number of difficult saves. Miles Whitaker caused two turnovers and had four ground balls for W-L.
Sophomore Drew Rosenberger led Lake Braddock in scoring with two goals, one in each half. He scored the Bruins’ final goal, giving Lake Braddock a 6-4 lead with 7:08 left in the third period.
In Washington-Liberty’s win over Herndon, the Generals led 7-2 at halftime and outshot the Hornets, 45-31. Malatesta scored four goals and took 10 shots.
Ryan Dodini had two goals and two assists, taking six shots. Adam Dodini had a goal and an assist, with the goal he scored assisted by his brother.
Luke Funck had a goal and took 10 shots, and Alexander Van Haaren, Jude Adkins and Fletcher Black each had one goal.
In goal, Conner made eight big saves. The W-L defense forced 12 Herndon turnovers, with defensemen Miles Whitaker, Lukas Naas and Tyler Hawkins recording multiple takeaways.
In another recent match, W-L routed the Wakefield Warriors, 17-5, in which 10 different Generals scored goals.
