Late Goals Lift Lakeshore Over No. 2 Kettle Moraine

Lakeshore Lacrosse took a early lead, saw No. 2-ranked Kettle Moraine tie the match, then pushed ahead in the fourth quarter for a 9-7 upset victory on Friday in boys high school lacrosse at Nicolet High School.

"This was a really big win for Lakeshore Lacrosse as an organization.  Beating one of the top teams in the state let the team know their potential," said Lakeshore coach Tom Gough.  "(Goalie) Quinn Mooney played one of the best games of his career and earned the game ball.  We play (fifth-ranked) Arrowhead next Wednesday so the guys will know what they'll face on their run to state."

The rankings are from the mid-season coaches' poll.

Freshman Quinten Ziegler began Lakeshore's scoring with a strike early in the first quarter.  A quick goal by Ryan Jankowski was answered by Kettle Moraine, but  Alex McMurtry and Collin Braam followed with back-to-back scores for Lakeshore to end the first quarter at 4-1. 

Kettle Moraine tied the score early in the third quarter at 4-all, but Jack Miller brought Lakeshore back on top, taking Anders Bjella's pass to score a patient goal over the goalie's right shoulder.  Bjella used a jump shot over the defense to maintain Lakeshore's momentum.  Brian Thomas, Austin Kreinz and Sam Hart added points for KM to end the quarter tied at 7-all.  Neither team dominated the fourth quarter, but Will Tucker was able to put in the go-ahead goal off a quick transition and then Braam closed the scoring with an inside dodge near the two minute mark.

Sophomore goalie Mooney used positioning and quick hands to clearly frustrate KM's leading scorers Connor Moran and Austin Kreinz.  Mooney had 10 saves.

Solid defensive play by Lakeshore's Benji Wichman, Andrew Reidy and Owen Morgan forced the Lasers to work hard for every goal, allowing few shots from near the crease.  Reidy and sophomore Lukas Zoromsky kept constant pressure Moran and Kreinz, forcing passes and off-balance shots.  Wichman and Anders Bjella led the team in ground balls with three apiece. Sophomore Dakota Kwasny won the majority of his face-offs, confidently handling all possessions. 

The next game is Wednesday at Arrowhead.