The Becker Bulldogs Boys Lacrosse team improved their season record to 5-1 after playing the Rocori Spartans Tuesday.
The team previewed their five game winning streak with a loss on April 22 when they dropped the game to the Buffalo Bisons late in the fourth period.
The Bulldogs were up 10-7 at the start of the fourth, but injuries to starting players shifted the momentum to Buffalo. Senior Kaj Fritsch and junior Luke Mehelich each suffered collisions that caused leg injuries, and junior attackman Gabe Lindom also suffered an injury and was removed from the match.
Buffalo went on a scoring streak and won the game 12-10.
Leading the Bulldogs’ scoring was senior Jacob Berning with four goals, sophomore Calvin Fritsch with two, and senior Corbin Kollar, junior Gabe Lindborn and sophomore Ethan Wilson with one goal each.
A few days later the Bulldogs won a close contest against the Rogers Royals 7-6. Senior goalie AJ Buntrock held off a Rogers attack in the last two minutes of the match, stopping several shots and ultimately securing the win for the Bulldogs.
Leading the scoring for the team was junior Gabe Lindborn with four goals, and senior Riley Heurung, sophomore Calvin Fritsch and sophomore Jacob Eich with one goal each.
Last Friday the Bulldogs were on home turf, playing against Brainerd in the rain at Eppard Field. The team got started right away, taking the motivation out of the Warriors and beating them 18-0.
Scoring for the Bulldogs were sophomore Jacob Eich with six goals, senior Jacob Berning and Sophomore Nate Kerzman with three goals each, and sophomore Calvin Fritsch with two goals. Austin Berning, Carter Nue, Ethan Wilson, Morgan Boros, Riley Heurung and Corbin Kollar each helped the team out by scoring a goal each.
“The defense continues to play extremely well together, allowing for the ball to remain on the offensive end,” said Coach Paul VanVoorhis. “Additionally, the faceoff circle with sophomore Calvin Fritsch is exciting to watch. He’s won 13 of the 16 face-offs, and possession of the ball equates to more goals.”
Monday the Bulldogs played at home again, this time against St. Cloud Tech, who played a tough game.
The score was tied early in the match, but once the Bulldogs figured out the St. Cloud defense they got their offense started, and won the match 10-3.
Scoring for Becker was sophomore Jacob Eich with five goals, senior Jacob Berning with three goals, and Calvin Fritsch and Gabe Lindborn with one goal each. Senior goalie AJ Buntrock had five saves and kept the game well in hand for the Bulldogs.
The team continued their winning streak with their match against the Rocori Spartans at St. Cloud State University on Tuesday. After a slow start, the Bulldogs came back strong and won 15-3.
“Rocori plays a zone defense and this was the first team we’ve faced that plays zone,” said VanVoorhis. “We needed some time to see how their defense moved so we could make some adjustments and then our offense went to work.”
Scoring for the Bulldogs was Jacob Eich with six goals, Gabe Lindborn with three, and Austin Berning, Jacob Berning, Jack Jones, Ethan Anderson, Nate Kerzman and Corbin Kollar with one goal each. Fritsch had an impressive outing in the face-off circle, winning all 17 faceoff attempts.
The team played Big Lake on Thursday, which will be reported on in next week’s Citizen-Tribune.
Next up for the Bulldogs is an away game in Grand Rapids on May 11.
