After opening its season with a loss, the Saugerties High School varsity boys lacrosse team has won two in a row and is looking ready to take on the world.
On Tuesday, April 10, the Sawyers traveled to non-league opponent Amsterdam, blowing out their host in a 14-6 result. Saugerties was led offensively by the trio of Tavin Rell (5 goals, 3 assists), Robbie Martin (4 goals, 3 assists) and Caleb Edwards (4 goals, assist). Alfredo Martinez (goal) and Christian DeAngelis-Martin (assist) also contributed in the lopsided win.
Tyler Swanson made seven saves for the Sawyers to preserve the win.
Swanson was even more of a factor one day earlier when Saugerties visited Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association opponent Cornwall, coming away with a tight 8-7 victory. Swanson turned away 17 shots in the game, ensuring his teammates’ offensive output held up.
Rell (three goals), Edwards (two goals, assist) and Martin (two goals) again led the Sawyers on offense, with Sean McGirr (goal) and Torrey Michaels (assist) also pitching in.
It was an important start to the week for Saugerties, who after losing their opener at home saw a visit from Minisink Valley planned for Friday, April 6 canceled due to a snowstorm.
“This is a hard working and resilient group of boys,” said Saugerties head coach Robert Slate. “Offensively we have plenty of firepower at attack and midfield. Defensively we are young but quickly developing a good sense of unit play and clearing tactics. We expect this team to develop nicely during the course of the season.”
The Sawyers opened their 2018 campaign by hosting non-league opponent Monroe-Woodbury on Wednesday, April 4, a game which they lost 19-10. Danny Fitzpatrick did the most damage for the Crusaders, scoring eight goals and assisting on three others. Tim Philbin and Owen Neubauer each scored three in the visiting side’s win.
But it wasn’t all bad for the Sawyers, who despite being overrun on the defensive end managed a more than respectable output on offense. Saugerties was led by Martin’s four-goal, four-assist performance, with Edwards (three goals, assist), Rell (two goals, two assists), Cameron Davis (goal) and Michaels (assist) factoring in.
Tyler Swanson recorded 15 saves in the loss, while Chris Swanson earned two.
After three games, a few leaders appear to be emerging for the Sawyers. Seniors Martin (10 goals, seven assists), Rell (10 goals, five assists) and Edwards (9 goals, three assists), a junior, are routinely leading the offense, giving opponents no single player to focus their efforts on.
Edwards is also the team’s ground balls leader after three games, with a staggering 20, while juniors Dylan Smith and Conner Staby have 13 apiece. Rell (12) and fellow senior Cameron Kohout (12) are also picking up plenty of ground balls, as is McGirr (10), a junior.
The Sawyers will stay on the road for their next two games, including visits to Millbrook on Thursday, April 12, followed by a trip to league rival New Paltz on Monday, April 16. They’re not due to play again at Saugerties High until Wednesday, April 18 when they host non-conference opponent Schenectady.
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