The duPont Manual boys’ lacrosse team (1-2) defeated rival Male (0-6) 10-8 on Wednesday night at Male to gain their first win of the season.
The Crimsons started the game off quickly, with two quick scores after face offs from Greg Healy (12, Midfield) and Brenton Wolford (11, Midfield). Male was quick to score with goals from Stephen Gregory (12, Midfield) and two goals from Matthew Mattingly (11, Attack) to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 edge over Manual after the first quarter. Mattingly would finish the game with three goals and two assists.
After two early goals from Male and very physical play, Nick Brewer (10, Attack) found the back of the net for Manual to end the half with the Bulldogs in front, 5-3.
Manual opened the first two minutes of the half with scores from Wolford and Jackson Payton (11, Midfield), and John Biggs (11, Goalie) made six straight saves for Manual.
However, Gregory scored from 20 yards out with less than a second to put Male up 6-5 heading into the final quarter of regulation.
Halfway into the fourth quarter, Wolford scored on a flip pass after an assist from Brewer to even the score.
Manual and Male would go back and forth with goals coming from Braxton Dewey (11, Midfield) and Healy. With four minutes remaining, the score was leveled at 8-8.
However Dewey and Healy scored one more time each to put the icing on a 10-8 Crimson victory.
Wolford and Healy each finished with three goals apiece, and Brewer finished with a goal and four assists.
“It’s always a top goal to beat Male,” said Wolford. “I’m really glad I could contribute and that our defense stepped up today. I think our offense finally has it down and that’s good heading into the rest of the season.”
“I’m proud of our guys, and they deserve to celebrate, but at the same time we need to get ready for three straight games next week,” said Manual Head Coach James Lee, who earned his first win as head coach.
Manual advances to first place in the Jefferson Cup standings, ahead of Ballard, Eastern and Male, and moves up four spots in the Kentucky state rankings to 20th. They next face off against Collegiate (2-2) at Manual Stadium next Thursday.
