Starting the first varsity boys lacrosse season at Green Mountain, the Rams have managed a respectable beginning.
Green Mountain (2-1 record) hosted Ponderosa for the Rams’ first home game March 26 at Dunstan Middle School. The visiting Mustangs offered the Rams an opportunity to experience the reality of a varsity pace.
Ponderosa, also in its rookie season as a varsity competitor, handed Green Mountain a 13-4 loss.
Junior midfielder Cade Carlson aided the Rams with two goals. Despite a valiant effort from Green Mountain, the Mustangs (5-2) left the field victorious. Ponderosa’s Beau Kopasz led the Mustangs with four goals in the net.
The physical nature of the game brought tensions to the field in the third period, when at least one player from each team became involved in an altercation. Both players were removed from the contest with personal fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Later, the Green Mountain player involved in this first infraction was again whistled for a rules violation and with only seconds remaining in the game, was taken off the field for good.
“I think our defense didn’t play as well as it could have and we didn’t clear the ball well,” Carlson said. “It (the loss) was a little disappointing.”
Though saddened by the loss, the Rams appear optimistic about helping to make history for Green Mountain.
“The program is going to be really good in the future,” Carlson said. “Looking back and knowing that I was on the first varsity team at Green Mountain is going to be a pretty good feeling.”
In an effort to improve the program in the future, Green Mountain coach Mitch Bren is beginning an organized middle school program in the area for aspiring lacrosse players. By starting their careers before they reach high school, some of these players may bring additional experience and skill to the high school game.
For now, Green Mountain is faced with first-year problems that confront many new sports. For their first home game, and for all home games this season, the Rams and their opponents will face-off at either Dunstan Middle School or at Creighton Middle School, as opposed to playing on the Green Mountain campus.
With the location altercation behind them, the Rams are focused on their remaining season.
“I think we’ll have a very successful season overall and we have a good chance of making the playoffs,” Carlson said. “We just need to win a few key games.”