Westlake boys lacrosse keeps strong season going, rolls past Roy in 6A second round
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- Westlake senior Hunter Hernandez drives in against a pair of defenders during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake senior Garrison Funn (left) congratulates junior Grant Pugmire after he scored a goal during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake junior Tommy Bodell (right) prepares for the faceoff during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake senior keeper Kelson Lewis guards against a possible shot during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake defenders try to get the ball free from a Roy attacker during the 6A second round game in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake junior Garrison Funn wheels away from the defense during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake sophomore Ethan Gill takes a shot during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake head coach Danny Horne talks to sophomore Ethan Gill during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- A Westlake player takes a shot during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake junior Tommy Bodell battles for the ball during the 6A second round game against Roy in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
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- Westlake and Roy players battle for the ball during the 6A second round game in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
It certainly wasn’t the way No. 4-seeded Westlake boys lacrosse team wanted to start its 6A second round home game against No. 13-seed Roy.
The Royals got virtually the perfect start, winning the faceoff and scoring a quick goal by sophomore Wes Barker.
Was it an ominous omen for the way the game would go?
Not for this Thunder squad.
The Westlake defense stymied the Roy offense for the rest of the first half as the Thunder built a big lead, then cruised to the 14-6 win over the Royals to advance to the quarterfinals.
“We’ve had starts like that a lot this season,” Westlake senior defender Jake Hudson said. “We always come out so slow and we were worried about that. But then we came back and we felt the momentum going our way.”
Thunder head coach Danny Horn was proud of how his team remained composed and confident after surrendering the early score.
“We’ve got our Thunder values and every letter stands for something,” Horn said. “The D stands for discipline. The message to them every game is that the team with greater discipline will win. That was the team that showed up today. They had to have the discipline.”
He lauded the performance of his back line, who used physical play to force Roy turnovers and keep the visitors from finding a rhythm.
“(Senior keeper Kelson Lewis) and the other defenders were on their heads, making plays,” Horn said. “The boys were pushing the ball down the field in transition and getting goals. We typically play man defense but when we face a quick offense that can get inside, we dropped into our zone. They held it and played together.”
The Westlake offense also got humming, thanks to the passing of junior Garrison Funn and the finishing of junior Jagger Huscroft. Huscroft scored the first four Thunder goals and finished with six for the game.
“Jagger just started taking over the game,” Hudson said. “Then defensively, we haven’t played like that in a while. I don’t know if we’ve done it all season. It was a good game.”
Junior Tommy Bodell was also huge for Westlake — as he has been all season — as he consistently won faceoffs to give his team opportunities.
The Thunder led 11-1 at the break, only to allow Roy a ghost of a hope of a dramatic rally as the Royals scored the only three goals of the third period.
Westlake slammed that door in the fourth, however, getting a trio of goals of its own to virtually put the game away.
The Thunder have had an excellent season and have their sights set on a deep run in the 6A tournament.
“It would mean a lot,” Hudson said. “I’ve been with this group of boys for years and it feels like we finally put it together after all this time to have this really good season. It’s been historic for us. If we were able to get in deep in the playoffs, that would be so sick.”
Horn said that for Westlake to achieve those goals, it has to stay focused and put in the work.
“It’s down to that discipline play and the hustle,” Horn said. “We have to stay disciplined in our heads. When we make a mistake, we have have a quick reset and go make the next play. We’re optimistic going forward.”
The Thunder will host No. 5 Farmington in the 6A quarterfinal game in Saratoga Springs on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the victor earning a spot in next week’s semifinals.
Scoreboard
Boys lacrosse
Class 6A second round
No. 4 Westlake 14, No. 13 Roy 6
No. 7 American Fork 14, No. 10 Weber 5
No. 8 Lone Peak vs. No. 9 Herriman, late
No. 5 Farmington 19, No. 12 Pleasant Grove 2
No. 1 Corner Canyon 19, No. 16 Skyridge 0
Class 5A second round
No. 5 Wasatch 15, No. 21 Payson 5
No. 9 Maple Mountain 8, No. 8 Cedar Valley 5
No. 7 Bountiful vs. No. 10 Timpview, late
Girls lacrosse
Class 6A second round
No. 2 Lone Peak 21, No. 15 Roy 3
No. 4 Herriman 18, No. 13 Skyridge 9
No. 3 Corner Canyon 16, No. 14 Pleasant Grove 6
Class 5A second round
No. 9 Provo 14, No. 8 Skyline 9
No. 4 Brighton 18, No. 20 Cedar Valley 4
No. 7 Wasatch 10, No. 10 Alta 7
No. 11 Payson 10, No. 6 Woods Cross 9
No. 2 Lehi vs. No. 18 Bonneville, late
No. 5 Maple Mountain 14, No. 12 Box Elder 6
Boys soccer
Class 6A quarterfinals
No. 1 Lone Peak 2, No. 9 Mountain Ridge 1
No. 2 Davis vs. No. 7 Pleasant Grove, late
No. 6 Skyridge 3, No. 3 Fremont 1
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