Defense was on display when the Valley Central boys’ lacrosse team traveled to Newburgh Free Academy on April 5.
Cameron Prutzman and Landon Santangelo combined for 11 saves as the Vikings shutout the Goldbacks, 15-0, at Academy Field.
Valley Central coach Tom Stoddard said all nine of the Vikings’ defenders were key to the shutout. The defense was led by Ben Caterina, D.J. Livingston at close defense and Carter Laughman at Longstick middie, and Josh Webb at defensive middie.
Aaron Goldstein, Dan Latimer, Bryson Antal and Casey Lennon combined to win 17 of the 19 faceoffs.
On the other side of the field, eight different Vikings had a point, and six separate players scored a goal.
The Vikings scored seven goals in the first quarter and tacked on another four in the second to take an 11-0 lead at halftime.
The Vikings scored immediately after halftime to get the clock running for the remainder of the game.
Kevin Acevedo led the Vikings with five goals and two assists on his way to seven points. Connor Stafford and Gavin Starr had three goals each and two assist each for five points. Jack Sherry scored three points on two goals and one assist. Bryson Antal had a goal, and an assist and Bryce DeRonda had a goal.
Kai Hew and Dan Latimer had one assist each for the Vikings, who finished the week with an 11-6-win over the Crusaders to run their record to 6-1.
The Vikings on Thursday also unveiled their team captains for the season – Laughman and Starr, both seniors.
Laughman has been a starter on the team since eighth grade. He led the team with 25 ground balls after the Newburgh game.
“Carter is the voice on the defensive side of the field,” Stoddard said. “Carter’s tenacious style of play exemplifies the defensive characteristics of the Vikings this season. Each season Carter has continually improved his game and has made his teammates around him better.”
Starr is an attackman and a two-year starter. He had 20 points on the season after the Newburgh game.
Starr sets the tone for the Vikings’ offense.
“He gets the offense in rhythm and sets the pace,” Stoddard said. “He has continually improved each season physically and mentally and is ready to step into a leadership position.”