This past Saturday, Fallston Varsity Boys Lacrosse took on the Hereford Bulls in the first annual game between the programs at the USA Lacrosse Facility in Sparks, MD. In their matchup last year, the Cougars took down Hereford in a tense double overtime showdown. Now an official rivalry, dubbed the “Battle of The Gunpowder,” and played at a neutral site, the rivalry has only intensified.
Prior to the faceoff between the two high schools, spectators enjoyed an action-packed day of lacrosse as the Fallston and Hereford Rec Programs battled it out in three games between the 2031, 2032, and 2033 teams.
Finally, at 6:00, the Cougars began their game with a faceoff between senior Dominic Foster and his Hereford counterpart, kicking off what would become a hard-fought battle resulting in a Cougars win, 8-6. The 8 Cougar goals came thanks to two extraordinary hat trick performances from seniors TJ Shimaitis and Nathan Chanoski, as well as goals from Anderson Lacrosse commit Jaden Riley and Wilmington Lacrosse commit Colin Businsky.
The Cougars defense also put on a show with stellar performances from many contributors that helped hold the Bulls to just 6 goals despite their well-coached and strong offense. Junior goalie Jaxson Hilliard put the Cougs on his back with a 16-save performance between the pipes, anchoring the defense and helping Fallston pull out the win. The close defense also showed out thanks to lock-down performances from junior Hobart commit Cooper Savelle, senior Randolph-Macon commit Owen King, and senior Jacob Williams. Though the faceoff battle was tough, sophomore Trent Richter showed out and helped the Cougars win a large number of them.
“I’m really proud of how the team played, everyone who stepped on the field contributed and did an awesome job. With what this Fallston/Hereford game has become the last few years, we knew going into it that we were going to need a complete effort from everyone and that’s what we gave,” said Owen King. Both teams are now planning to make this an annual tradition.
Fans from both sides showed up to the USA Lacrosse HQ in great numbers. “It felt like a college atmosphere,” said Cooper Savelle. “It was unlike anything I’ve experienced before and is definitely something I will never forget,” Owen King continued.
Overall, the action-packed day of lacrosse ended with the Cougars holding the trophy under the lights. It was a great matchup and surely both teams are eagerly awaiting the game next year to battle it out between the Baltimore and Harford County Public School powerhouses. Fallston’s next matchup comes on the road against Patterson Mill on April 11th.
