The Ballard Beavers fall to the Lakeside Lions in a match that was close for the first half until a Lion third quarter surge brought the final score 13-6 at Ballard High School on Friday night. Story by Michael Thornbloom.

Lakeside took control of this game early with three goals in the first quarter. Ballard was able to get on the board off an EMO early in the second but the fight to catch up was just beginning from here. Lakeside was getting opportunities off the edges of Ballard’s defense hitting shots from the dirt and holding onto a two-goal lead to close out the half.

The third quarter only got worse for the Beavers when the Lions went on a six-goal run in eight minutes of play. Ballard could only answer with one goal in the final 30 seconds of the quarter as the situation became bleak. Their start to the final 12 minutes came with a three-minute illegal equipment penalty on freshman attackman Tim Gaston. Being a man down and a seven-goal disparity to cover, it proved to difficult to come back from as Lakeside decisively closed this game up 13-6.

Beaver’s senior midfielder Gus Simpson still demonstrating excellent lacrosse this season bringing in four goals against Lakeside, making this his third game with four goals. Lakeside sophomore attackman Charlie Hipps (4g, 1a) and junior attackman Will Cero (3g, 1a) were the backbone in this offense during this game accounting for seven goals between the two of them.

“The message today as in any other game has been focus on ourselves and what we need to do to be successful.” Said Lakeside head coach Eric Davidheiser. “It shouldn’t matter who we’re lining up against.” Davidheiser was quick to point out that his team showed some lackluster in the first half and needed to pick it up. He felt there wasn’t enough heart to start the game but was very happy with how his boys closed it up.

Ballard still hunts for their first conference win as they move to a debilitating 0-6 and prepare to host Bainbridge (5-1) on Wednesday night. Lakeside ties their record with Eastside Catholic at 2-4 with an opportunity to take a higher seeded placement in this year’s bracket. They will head to Lower Woodland #7 on Monday night to face the Seattle Prep Panthers (5-1).

Story by Michael Thornbloom