BURIEN – Kennedy improved to 3-5 on the season after earning a hard-earned, 11-7 victory over conference rival, Blanchet, Saturday afternoon at Kennedy Catholic High School.

Sophomore attackman, Dar Sleeper, scored 6 goals in the game – his 4th time this season with a hat trick. Sleeper went to work quick, scoring 2 of Kennedy’s first 3 goals in the 1st quarter, but Blanchet would answer to keep the game within reach, sending the teams into the 2nd quarter with a score of 3-2.

Again, Dar Sleeper racked up another goal with a right to left split down the left alley for hard bouncer to the back of the net. A few minutes later, Nate Brummond got in the action, taking it down the opposite alley for a side-arm rip past the Braves’ keeper. On the other end, the Lancer’s defense held strong, disrupting Blanchet’s passing lanes, and keeping their shots outside. As a result, Blanchet was shutout in the 2nd quarter, putting the Lancers up 6-1 going into halftime.

The 3rd quarter was much like the 2nd, with Kennedy’s defense playing tough and preventing opportunities for Blanchet’s offense. The Lancers took advantage of this, scoring another 3 in the period. Harrison Jolly found junior Payton Williams cutting down the right alley for an inside finish to extend the Lancers lead. Kennedy did a good job of utilizing quick passes in order to open up the Blanchet defense inside for close finishes. The Braves would get a goal from the long-pole, Christian Peterson, on transition fast-break to stop the Lancers’ big run.

The toned shifted in the 4th quarter when the Braves begin to click on offense. Christian Peterson pushed the ball on a fast-break and found Finn Jelinek coming up from X for a clean crease finish to pump up the Braves’ faithful. Moments later, Sam Gardner would put one away inside to add to Blanchet’s 5 4th quarter goals, but it wasn’t enough to match the Lancer’s consistent offensive production all game, and the Kennedy walked away with the 11-7 victory.

Kennedy will look to make some late season moves in the standings as they take on Seattle Prep (8-4) on May 7th, while Blanchet (1-10) will host the Roughriders of Roosevelt (0-8) on May 5th.