By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

KEIZER, Ore.–  Roman Burrus was on fire Tuesday night, putting the McNary Lacrosse team on his back as he scored four of the squad’s seven goals in their 7-6 win over South Eugene.  Their first victory of the season as Burrus, one of the returners this season, did all he could to lead the young squad to the accomplishment.

With the Axe turning a 2-1 second quarter deficit into a 5-4 lead, Burrus scored the next two goals with the Celtics retaking the lead in the third quarter.  Burrus wanted to show that he can lead his troops to battle.  Carson Tompkins gave McNary some breathing room in the fourth with a goal that made it 7-5 at the time.  A cushion they leaned on as South Eugene scored a late goal, but McNary held strong and closed out the game to get into the win-column for the first time this season.

“I’m trying to be the best leader that I can be for my team and lead them, get them going and improve them the best I can.  Be a role model, be a friend and just to be a teammate,” Burrus describes.  “For a young team, I think we’re just coming along, working together to get better and hopefully we can improve on every aspect.”

Tuesday was just the first of a long stretch of home games for the McNary Lacrosse team, who will host Oregon City on Thursday going into Spring Break before Liberty comes to town April 4.  Just more opportunities to develop, improve and come together as a team before North Valley Conference play kicks off in a few weeks.

“Our stick skills need improving and coming to every practice as well and wall-ball.  Plenty of wall-ball,” Burrus said.

Gage Smedema and Jesse Dyer each also scored for the Celtics.

Photos by Jeremy McDonald