The Western Reserve Academy boys lacrosse team improved to 11-8 with a dramatic 6-5 victory over Jackson May 16 in Massillon.
Attackman Michael Gulasey, a captain, scored the game-winning goal with four seconds left.
The Pioneers had a 4-3 lead at halftime, thanks to a pair of goals by junior attackman Jack McCormick, a Hudson resident, and one goal apiece from Gulasey and sophomore attackman Robbie Markwell.
Jackson tied the game in the third quarter, but Gulasey put Reserve head 5-4 in the final period. Jackson tied the game with less than five minutes left in the contest.
With a little more than a minute left, WRA cleared it, called time-out, possessed the ball for a minute, before Gulasey dodged up, top-shooting a left-handed bounce shot on the run to win it.
Junior goalie Brian Czerwonka made 11 saves.
"The boys fought hard for this win," Pioneers' first-year head coach Kevin O'Brien said. "Brian Czerwonka played an incredible game."
Reserve also finished 1-1 at the Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Tournament, which concluded May 12 at Thomas Worthington High School.
WRA lost a 4-3 decision to Detroit Country Day May 12 after earning a 12-10 win over Thomas Worthington May 11.
Markwell led the Pioneers against Thomas Worthington with four goals. Gulasey added three goals and two assists and McCormick finished with three goals.
Hudson resident Nick Hylant and Robb Croasdaile each had one goal for Reserve.
Eight WRA players were recognized with league honors in the Midwest Scholastic Coaches Lacrosse Association.
Earning first-team honors were Gulasey and long-stick midfielder Alex Spring.
McCormick, midfielder C.J. Polak and defenseman Andrew Foster were named to the second team and Czerwonka, long-stick midfielder Max Fausnight and defenseman Nathan Cain received honorable mention.
The Pioneers were scheduled to conclude the season at the North American Lacrosse Invitational May 19 and 20 at Brother Rice High School in Chicago. Results of those games were not available at press time.
Sports summary courtesy of Hudson Hub-Times.
