Dodgers Boys Lax Use First-Half Lead to Secure Win

The Madison High School boys lacrosse team looked strong throughout most of its 9-5 win over Morristown-Beard on Wednesday afternoon in Morristown.

Most, but not throughout the entirety of the contest.

After building a solid 7-1 lead in the first half, the Dodgers came into the third quarter looking, as head coach Mark Sweeney said, "a little complacent."

"We played well in spurts," he said. "I think we got a little complacent after we got up a little bit and started taking some plays off and you can't take plays off against anybody."

But even without a perfect effort in the second half, the Dodgers' strong defense and ability to control the ball on offense, coupled with their ability to limit turnovers on the offensive end, secured its third win of the season in as many chances.

In the first quarter, with Madison in complete control in the offensive zone, attacker Billy Battaglia started the scoring, putting the Dodgers ahead, 1-0.

Following a Morristown-Beard goal that tied the game at 1-1, senior captain Charlie Oldendorp scored the first of his two goals, giving Madison a one goal advantage.

Madison wouldn't relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

As much as Madison had control offensively, its defense–led by senior Christian Mazzocchi and goalie Ryan Colwell–was even more dominant, suffering only one mistake early.

But in the third quarter and through part of the fourth it was a different story as Madison was only able to produce two goals, struggling to get the ball to their attackers.

"You have to work hard through the whole game. 48 minutes," Sweeney explained.

But even so, the Dodgers strong D had a bend-don't-break mentality, allowing the Crimson to pass the ball on the perimeter, but limiting their chances inside with very physical play.

Madison closed out the game by controlling the ball for the final three minutes behind Morristown's goal, walking away with the 9-5 win.

"We just don't work hard every minute of every game," Sweeney said. "We'll get better. We have much better teams to play and every week it gets harder and harder. But I think overall, they played pretty well."

Also scoring was senior midfielder Will Stuhler (three goals), senior attacker Austin Lein, attacker Chad Smith and midfielder Chad Smith.

Up next Madison will look to improve its record to 4-0 at an away game against Mendham on Friday.