AURORA — It’s early and there’s lots of lacrosse remaining, but forgive Heritage’s excitement.
The Eagles are threatening to take a prominent spot among the elite. Latest example: Their 12-7 decision Friday at accomplished Regis was as thorough as pleasing to the eye. Heritage (6-0 overall) took command of the South Suburban League (3-0) and is rapidly gaining momentum. Patience when in possession, sound passing and keeping the ball moving are aspects the Eagles are understanding.
“It was a great game for us,” the Eagles’ John Hosack said after scoring a team-high five goals. “It puts us at the top (of the league). We beat (perennial power) Cherry Creek and thought it might have been a fluke. We didn’t have a good season last year, but this makes it real for us and we’re going for a state championship.”
Said Heritage’s Taylor Young, who scored four goals: “This is a new team. I guarantee we work harder than anybody in the state. These are the first two big wins we’ve had in the three years I’ve been here.”
Heritage trailed 1-0, then took over on five consecutive goals, three by Young. The Eagles led 6-2 by halftime, 10-4 after three periods. Only a couple of late goals by the Raiders (4-2, 2-1) made it seem closer.
“We have to take it in stride,” Heritage coach Sean McCarthy said. “We have a lot of work that still needs to be done. The first thing I will say is, the biggest difference is that we have a core of seniors, and that’s huge.”
Experience has made Heritage sharp — it had few turnovers and goalie Sam Briner was enough of a wall.
For Regis, only Jon Law and Dan Milewsky found the back of the net twice. The Raiders are younger than in recent seasons and hadn’t played in two weeks, but coach Jim Soran offered no excuses, having watched his guys ball-watch more than once.
“(The Eagles) are very skilled,” Soran said. “Very patient. They exploited when they had the opportunity.”
Heritage 3 3 4 2 — 12
Regis 1 1 2 3 — 7
Goals — 1. Law, R; 2. Hosack, H (Hersher); 3. Young, H; 4. Halbert, 5. H; Young, H; 6. Young, H (Hosack); 7. McGann, R (Gabrielson); 8. Hosack, H; 9. Hosack, H; 10. Wyle, R; 11. Hosack, H; 12. Young, H; 13. Milewsky, R (Mynatt); 14. Davies, H (Young); 15. Hosack, R; 16. Gabrieleson, R; 17. Halbert, H; 18. Law, R (McGann); 19. Milewsky, R.
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