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Boys Lacrosse: Loyola rolls over Glenbard West to open playoffs
Tim O’Connor scored five goals as top-ranked and top-seeded Loyola started its playoff run Friday with a 12-4 win over Glenbard West in Glenview.
The Ramblers advanced to the state quarterfinals, where they will meet Lyons, a 13-6 winner over Stevenson. The state semis are Thursday, and the championship game is Saturday at Palatine.
“Not our best start,” said senior Brendan Dowdle, who scored a goal. “We came out flat again. We have to work better in practice and come out with that spark we need.”
Still, Loyola (14-5) never was in danger of losing this one. The Ramblers, who are undefeated against in-state opponents, went into the half ahead 7-2 before sitting on the lead in the final two quarters.
Kevin Gleason con three goals. Four contributed while four other Ramblers each finished with a goal.
“We grinded it out,” Loyola coach Rob Snyder said. “That’s all it’s about in the playoffs. I will take all of our wins like this.”
For Dylan Harris, this was one step closer to that elusive state title. The defender has been on varsity all four seasons and a starter for the last three.
“It’s always on my mind,” Harris said of capturing Loyola’s first state championship since 2004. “We’re always talking about it in practice and texting each other about it. It’s hard to forget about because it means so much to me.
“It’s a big thing on my mind right now.”
In other round of 16 action, seven-time defending state champion and fifth-seeded New Trier beat Benet 11-2 on Thursday.
Glenbrook North squeezed by Libertyville on Thursday, 7-6.
