The Fort Mill boys’ lacrosse team opened the season with an impressive win over a North Carolina opponent.
Fort Mill beat the Cuthbertson Cavaliers 9-6 in the season opener at Bob Jones Stadium.
“We are healthy this year,” said Fort Mill head coach Alex Tindall. “This team is led by 13 seniors this season. All they want to do is win. It is going to be an exciting year.”
The Jackets won the opening faceoff and took a little time to settle in, but when they did, they were able to score on Charlie McGuire’s goal about three minutes into play. Fort Mill kept things heading in the right direction as Carson Maloney scored two minutes later.
Cuthbertson would cut the Jackets lead in half about a minute later. The Cavs would get the ball back after a turnover and worked it around the field looking for a good shot. Instead, that led to them turning the ball over and Fort Mill’s Patrick Yarbrough scoring for the Jackets with 98 seconds left in the opening period.
Turnovers were an issue for both teams in the first quarter, despite Fort Mill taking a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.
McGuire picked up his second goal of the game about three minutes into the second quarter. Just like in the first quarter, Maloney would comeback for the Jackets three minutes later extending Fort Mill’s lead.
The Jackets’ Maddox Baucom helped the home team keep their foot on the gas and scored with about 2:30 left in the quarter.
For the most part, Fort Mill was all offense in the second quarter. Even when they lost ground balls, they were able to quickly regroup and get possession back. Fort Mill went into the half leading 6-1.
Cuthbertson opened the second half scoring first about two minutes into play. The Cavs offense had more opportunities in the third quarter, but the Jackets defense stayed on top of things and kept them out of the net.
Fort Mill was finally able to find the back of the net as McGuire scored a hat trick with his third goal of the game with 46 seconds left in the quarter.
Cuthbertson scored to start the fourth quarter again with about two minutes in. The Jackets didn’t get deterred scoring three minutes later on a goal from Cam Wilcox. Less than 30 seconds later, Yarbrough scored his second goal of the game.
The Cavs didn’t go quietly as they rallied some with three goals in the final 6:30 of the game. However, much like they had been all game, Fort Mill controlled possession much of that remaining time and held Cuthbertson at bay from completing the rally.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
