By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.—It was a tough way to end non-league play Friday night, but it was a good learning experience for the West Salem Lacrosse Team.

A strong start to Aloha-Southridge went nightmarish in the second quarter as the Titans found themselves down 10-3 at the halftime break.  Fastbreak goals stemming from aggressive play by the Warrior-Hawks allowed the wide margin that grew into the second half with Aloha-Southridge leading 13-3 after three quarters at West Salem High School.

“Oh it was a great learning experience, I think we took this game as a non-conference game and hustled.  They had matchups out there and they’re a good team and that’s the bottom line,
 Logan Skipper said.  “I think we’re happy with our performance and going into league, I think we should have all the confidence in the world if we’re competing like this.”

Skipper and Mason Murray each had two goals apiece in the game.  Both scored in the fourth quarter as West Salem finished the game strongly as they held the Warrior-Hawks scoreless in the final 12-minute frame.

Especially with freshman goalie Damon Ponce-Rocha.  The frosh made three incredible fourth quarter saves as West Salem opens up North Valley Conference play Wednesday against Sprague-South Salem.

“I’m super impressed with his (performance).  Our goalie got injured and (Ponce-Rocha) came in from the start, got a few saves right off the bat as a freshman goalie who never played before, he did a great job,” Skipper said.

First face-off against the Olympians is scheduled for 7:30pm at West Salem High School.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald