Monticello boys lacrosse team’s offense exploded early, their defense stuffed Charlottesville late and freshman Austin Haverstorm stepped up in a big way on faceoffs as the Mustangs snagged a 9-8 victory over the Black Knights Tuesday night.
Haverstorm helped the Mustangs win all but three faceoffs on the night, a huge lift toward allowing the Mustangs hang on for the win as they managed to largely control the tempo, in particular down the stretch.
“We came out and started firing pretty well and then we just kind of went into a dry spell,” said Monticello senior captain Andrew Gibson. “But I think we all pulled it together well and that all started with Austin.”
Monticello coach Tucker Tapscott agreed with that analysis.
“The kid is lights out, he just came out of the woodwork Saturday (against Salem),” said Monticello coach Tucker Tapscott. “I’ve been looking for one (a face-off guy), and that answer came in the form of a freshman. The kid is dynamite.”
After trailing by a goal at the break, Monticello nudged ahead of the Black Knights in the third quarter 8-7. They held on from there holding the Black Knights in check down the stretch, including a six-second opportunity in the closing minutes. On that potential equalizer, the Black Knights had a chance but the ball clanged off the helmet of a Monticello defender.
Offensively the Mustangs got a big night from Bryan Young, who was hampered earlier in the season by a rib injury and has started rounding back into form. Young finished with a hat trick, including a pair of lasers from way outside. Young also gave the Mustangs a major physical presence in the midfield.
“Brian Young cares about his team and he’s willing to shoulder it and he does shoulder it,” Tapscott said.
Wil Werner led Charlottesville with two goals and four assists on the night and Troy Hughes notched a pair of goals.
Monticello will look to keep the momentum going Friday against Western Albemarle while the Black Knights will try and bounce back against James Monroe at home the same night.
