Although Dulaney's boys lacrosse team had won five of its previous six games entering last Saturday's Class 4A-3A semifinal against Linganore, the Lions faced a team of destiny in a Lancers program that is looking to become Frederick County's first-ever state titlist.
Despite scoring from senior Devin Colegrove with a goal and two assists, senior Jack Dana with two goals, and Tate Berman, Robbie Mathey and Nick Benhoff with one goal each, the Lions couldn't overcome the determined Lancers during a 13-6 loss at Arundel High in Anne Arundel County.
The Lancers (15-1) won for the 14th straight time since falling, 12-9, on March 26 to Class 2A-1A West semifinalist South Carroll (13-3) of Carroll County and also ended a three-game winning streak by the Lions (13-6).
On Wednesday at UMBC Stadium in Catonsville, the Lancers will face the South River Seahawks (16-3) of Anne Arundel County in the Class 4A-3A championship game.
The Seahawks vanquished Wootton (12-6) of Montgomery County, 14-13, on Friday.
First-year coach Kyle Fiat is nevertheless pleased with the overall effort of his Lions, whose top scorers this year were:
- Colegrove (39 goals, 40 assists)
- Dana (22 goals, 10 assists)
- Berman, a sophomore (20 goals, nine assists)
- Benhoff, a junior (21 goals, six assists)
After suffering a 9-2 loss on May 7 opposite three-time, Class 3A-2A state champion, Hereford (18-1) in the county title game, the Lions bounced back on May 14 to whip Glen Burnie of Anne Arundel County, 15-1, in the first round of the Class 4A-3A North Region playoffs.
That triumph was followed on May 16 by the Lions' overcoming an early, 3-1, deficit to vanquish Perry Hall (6-9) in the Class 4A-3A North Region semifinals, 13-8.
The Lions withstood the scoring of three, unanswered goals in the fourth quarter of last Wednesday's 7-5, Class 4A-3A North Regional title-winning effort over Baltimore County rival, Catonsville (11-6) at Franklin High.
The win over Catonsville was highlighted by Dana's scoring twice along with his earning the first five face-offs of the game and eight of the first 10 to help the Lions to build a 4-0 lead early in the second quarter.
"I’m so proud of the effort and determination from this group of guys," said Fiat. "The amount of work that was put in and the progress the team made throughout the season has been remarkable. So the guys have a lot to be proud of."
