Stillwater boys' lacrosse takes lessons from up-down week

Facing a pair of rivals ranked in the top 10 brought both elation and deflation for the Stillwater boys' lacrosse team last week.

But the Ponies, who have state tournament aspirations, understood the value in both lessons.

Stillwater opened the week Monday with a 13-2 victory against White Bear Lake, ending a seven-game losing streak against the Bears. Two nights later, however, the Ponies fell 16-8 to Mahtomedi. Since 2010, the Zephyrs have won 11 consecutive games against Stillwater, including three playoff meetings in the past four seasons.

"They've always had our number," senior Mason Green said.

The latest loss hurt a little more. Stillwater entered the week 5-0 and ranked No. 10 when it crushed No. 7 White Bear Lake. A home game against No. 5 Mahtomedi provided a chance to further validate the Ponies' legitimacy.

With the score tied 1-1 about two minutes into the game, each team went in different directions. Mahtomedi scored seven consecutive goals and led 8-2 at halftime. Stillwater, which had defeated five of its six previous opponents by 10 or more goals, didn't know how to respond.

"Going into the second half down by so much, I feel like our players just lost hope in a sense," Green said. "But that's not the team that we are. I don't think this game defines us as a program. There's a lot of season left and, hopefully, we'll see these guys again in the section championship and show them what we've got."

"After beating Cretin-Derham Hall, we said, 'Hey guys, we can bring the heat,' " Green said.

Defensively, seniors Graham Adkins and Jacob Morlando bring "drive and dedication," Mason said. He called junior Ben Carle, an undersized defensive midfielder, a "grinder and probably the kid that gives the most effort every game."

In goal, senior Luke VandenBergh is a big factor in the Ponies allowing more than six goals in only one game.

Sophomores making large contributions include Summary, Thureson, midfielder Joe Stengl and faceoff specialist Riley McDonough.

"We're a younger team, but the sophomores vibe well with the juniors and seniors," Green said. "And it's a family. We don't treat them differently. Because those young guys have a lot of talent and we need it."

"Mahtomedi came to play and they pumped us," McGuire said. "We'll work on getting back up when we're down against good teams."

Showing some second-half spark against Mahtomedi, Stillwater cut its deficit to 10-5 on goals from Evensen and McGuire. But six consecutive Zephyrs goals decided the outcome.

Afterward, Stillwater's captains spoke of an emotional vacuum created by the rousing White Bear Lake victory.

"The effort wasn't there compared to what we did against White Bear," Green said. "We were fired up for that game, but we didn't bring it against Mahtomedi."

Upcoming games against traditional powers Eden Prairie and Orono provide the Ponies more chances to gauge their resolve. Win or lose, players are grateful for a challenging schedule as they aim at a first state tournament trip.