Despite suspensions, Langley boys lacrosse takes Liberty title
By Jason Mackey
Faced with an unwanted and difficult circumstance Friday night, the Langley boys lacrosse team squared off with Woodson for the Liberty District title without three of its most dangerous weapons.
Seniors Greg Bentz, Brett Burnette and Tim Goeke had all incurred suspensions for their roles in a third-period altercation that occured during Wednesday's 14-10 semifinal win over Madison.
“I told them yesterday that they could use those suspensions as a rallying cry, or another reason to lose ... another reason why Woodson beats us,” said Langley coach Earl Brewer, whose team earned an emotional 8-3 win to take the Liberty crown. “I knew they would choose the rallying cry.”
With the win, Langley won its first postseason district title since 2003, winning with -- of all things -- defense. Langley shut down Woodson's offensive attack, albeit without Burnette, the Liberty District's Defensive Player of the Year. The offense didn't sink into a slumber without its first team All-District attack in Bentz.
Langley junior Ryan Ningard scored three goals to lead the Saxons, while the talented midfielder played for only the second time this season without a cast on his left wrist. He broke the carpal bone in his left wrist during the first game of the season, requiring a bulk cast that barely fit in his glove and limited Ningard's mobility.
Despite the cumbersome situation, Ningard focused his game more toward his right -- he's a natural lefty -- until Wednesday night when he busted loose for seven goals and two assists in the aforementioned win over the Warhawks.
“What we have more than any other team is heart. That's what you need when you lose players,” said Ningard, whose team improved to 11-3. “We had way more heart than Woodson did. They have skills and we have skills, but we have more heart.”
After a scoreless third period, Langley's victory still appeared in doubt. Woodson senior Paul Gaski, who accounted for all three of the Cavaliers' goals, scored only 14 seconds into the final frame, pulling his team to within one at 4-3.
“[Gaski] stepped it up, but Langley is very athletic,” said Woodson coach John FitzGerald, whose team dropped to 8-5. “We were just overmatched tonight. [Langley] played like it was the last game of their lives and we didn't.”
With eight and a half minutes to play in the game, Langley senior Ken Bickel controlled the ball at the top of the zone. Bickel decided to isolate the Woodson defender, beating his man to the cage for his first goal of the season and a two-goal Langley lead.
From there, senior Owen Masters (2 goals) scored once and Ningard finished with two goals in the final three minutes to seal the win.
“That was [Bickel's] first goal of the year, and I think that was a critical goal,” said Brewer. “I just can't say enough for the leadership on this team. We had our down moments this year, and these suspensions hurt, losing those three players, but we had some other players step huge tonight.”