Boys lacrosse: Lima Senior falls to Clay

Lima Senior found out there is still plenty of work to be done after Oregon Clay downed the inexperienced Spartans, 13-1, in the season opener for both teams Tuesday.

Oregon Clay came out and put six quick goals up to go up 6-0 after the first quarter.

Lima Senior’s Brayden Morgan notched the Spartans first goal of the season when he scored at the 5:44 mark of the second period, but the Eagles countered with two more goals to own an 8-1 lead by halftime.

Michael Lones and John Newtown each tallied four goals for Clay.

Lima Senior head coach Nate Garlock said this year’s team is inexperienced and will have to endure some growing pains as the season progresses.

“It was a tough start but we have a lot that we are replacing,” Garlock said. “We graduated 90 percent of our scoring and 60 percent of our defense as well so we have a lot of new guys playing new positions so we are still trying to figure some things out.”

Garlock added that a number of the players have never even played lacrosse so it will take some time for the Spartans to improve.

“Lacrosse is still not a well known sport in the area so we have a lot of guys who haven’t picked up sticks in their life so they are about four weeks into learning something brand new.

“It is a challenge and it is a struggle but we got a lot better as the game went on. Outside that first six minutes we defensively figured it out and offensively we have to keep working on it.”

Garlock remains optimistic the team can turn things around but it will take time.

“Right now it is just understanding the concepts that we are trying to teach them and implement, and I felt like the defense was doing that halfway from the first quarter and on. They game speed is a lot different than practice and that to me shows progress and that is what we are looking for right now.”

Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.