RHS Boys' Lacrosse
Garnets Will Need to Become Road Warriors

– By Jim Byrne –

Already under .500 on the season, at 2-4, the Garnets now have to deal with their home turf being under water again — and possibly out of commission for the season.

If that's the case, the Garnets will play the rest of their schedule on the road. Head coach Brian Dooley accepts that challenge and hopes his team can become road warriors.

"I guess winning on the road would make every win sweeter," said Dooley. "But, it's going to be a lot of adversity to deal with."

Adversity is something the Garnets are used to however, as they've played their last three games without the services of seven of their seniors. The seven went to the Bahamas on spring break, and missed several practices and a game scheduled during the break. Dooley held them out for the two games after that, and Rye has now dropped three straight games after a 2-1 start.

Even without the seven seniors, the Garnets gave Class A's Lakeland/Panas all they could handle April 9. Rye jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, and only trailed 5-4 heading into the fourth. The Hornets took advantage of an undermanned Garnets team in the fourth though, scoring three unanswered goals in the period to roll to an 8-4 win. Kevin Gordon had a goal and an assist in the game, leading the Garnets with two points. Colin Hart had 10 saves in the contest.

In the next game, April 11, at Fox Lane, Rye hung tough early on, but could not hang with their opponents, and went on to lose 7-2.

"I think we still have a lot of growing to do," said Dooley. "I don't know if I'm happy with the results yet, but maybe towards the end of the season I will be. We want to improve every game, so if that's what we're doing regardless of a win or a loss, I'll be happy."

With the remaining home schedule up in the air, things appear to be in limbo for the Garnets. At least when they return to action, Rye will have those seven seniors suited back up for the game.

"You would hope to think that we'd improve with their return," said Dooley. "But, we try not to base the team around any individuals. We think the guys we have had out there have done a good job for us. Some of the seniors may come back and make an impact though, only time will tell."