By Arman Zadeh, sports editor
Boys lacrosse is beginning to find a rhythm after a slow start to the new season. After losing their first two games of the regular season, the team defeated Palos Verdes Peninsula at home on Wednesday, March 20. However, the team was unable to win back-to-back games as they faced Redondo Union on March 22 and lost 10-5. The team now holds a league record of 1-3, and an overall record of 3-6.
Beverly successfully kept Palos Verdes Peninsula scoreless the entire game up until the final quarter when Peninsula scored two goals.
Midfielder Nick Heller led the team offensively with a season high of five of the team’s nine goals. Heller is also the only member of the team who has over 10 goals this season, with 20 goals so far.
Midfielders Jason Friedberg, Rod Shayan and Eli Eshaghian, along with attackman Sam Edwards, each added one point for the Normans. Eshaghian picked up a team high of six ground balls and had one takeaway. Goalie Michael Suh contributed with 17 saves.
The turbulent start to the season served as a wakeup call to the Normans, who responded quickly to their most blatant weaknesses on both sides of the field.
“We’re finally beginning to figure out how to properly transition from the defensive side of the game to the offensive side,” long stick midfielder Hans Tercek said. “We’re maintaining possession of the ball on the offense… allowing our defense to take a breather, which in turn allows us to develop a stronger defense.”
Following their first league victory, the Normans traveled to Redondo to face Redondo Union in a nonleague matchup where they were defeated 10-5.
The Normans lost control of the game in the second half after being tied with Redondo 3-3 at halftime.
“We looked like a team, felt like a team, and played like a team,” attackman Yaniv Sadka said. “Coming out of the half, we were too relaxed. Redondo won all the faceoffs and 50/50 ground balls… We dug a hole we couldn’t climb out of.”
Heller once again set the tone offensively with a team high of three goals. Edwards and Eshaghian each added one goal. Goalie Michael Suh contributed with 12 saves.
The team next faced Oaks Christian at home on March 26, in a nonleague game. The team was victorious 11-9, a “big win”, according to Heller.