Madison Boys Lax Stops Skid Against A L Johnson

Things haven't been going too well for the Madison High School boys lacrosse team as it had dropped three straight games, that is, until stopping A L Johnson, 13-9, in Clark on Thursday night.

After facing–and losing to–three highly regarded teams, a much-needed break was in order, and a 3-8 Johnson team seemed like the perfect recipe.

While Madison was able to put up 13 goals in the win, head coach Mark Sweeney wasn't thrilled with the performance and believes there is still a lot of work to be done.

"A win's a win, but we didn't play well," he said. "They had a lot of shots on us, but we have to play better defense and get back to what we do well."

And other than the second quarter–Madison's most productive quarter both offensively and defensively–the team struggled to hang onto the ball, forcing shots and not playing consistent defense.

"We thought early on that we could just go to the goal instead of moving the ball and letting the ball get there," Sweeney explained.

Right off the bat the Dodger defense wasn't at their best, as Johnson jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, less than three minutes into the game.

But Madison would settle down, controlling the ball for most of the quarter and two goals by captain Charlie Oldendorp would see Madison head into the second quarter tied, 3-3.

Oldendorp would record five goals on the day.

Madison looked brilliant in quarter two, controlling and moving the ball on offense, while not forcing any unnecessary shots–a problem that has plagued the team lately.

Captain Austen Lein scored two of his four goals in the quarter and added two assists, to lead Madison into the half ahead, 7-4.

But it wasn't all offense in the quarter as the Dodger defense looked stout, holding Johnson to only one goal.

In the second half, Madison reverted back to the same type of play that fans saw in quarter one. The Dodgers and Johnson would trade goals, both tallying three scores to head into the final quarter of play, 10-7.

In the fourth quarter, Madison would do what they needed, in order to get the win.

Goals from Chad Smith, Lein and Oldendorp, in conjunction with a bend don't break attitude on defense, would lead Madison to the 13-9 win and move them to 9-3 on the season.

"This time of the year, guys get tired. We've got to pull it back together," Sweeney said. "We've played now twelve games in the month of April. We have a day off tomorrow and we'll get back Saturday for Westfield."