48 minutes. 10 guys. One goal. Win… The boys are rolling and finishing up on an exciting 2024 season, looking forward to building off young talent to improve for next year.
Despite facing a challenging schedule and a mountain of talent in their section, the North Hills Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team portrayed unwavering determination and resilience on the field. With a current record of 4-7 following a 10-5 loss to Fox Chapel and hopes of a playoff appearance looking bleak, only three games remain on the 2024 season and the boys will look to finish their season with a .500 winning percentage and look ahead to next year.
Throughout the season, the Indians demonstrated immense skill and dedication to the program. Each game was a testament to their hard work and individual improvement. Looking back to major wins against North Catholic with a final score of 17-4 as well as a tough win against Latrobe with a final of 8-7, these wins are something to build off of and remember what went well for the team as they continue to improve. The grit and fighting spirit of a tight game against Latrobe is one which is ultimately won because of the desire to come home as a winner, a mindset this team always has no matter the situation. Although playoff hopes look slim, the team never gave up on showcasing the Fighting Indian spirit and representing the North Hills School District with pride and honor.
Led by star players Nate Duffy, Nathan Patsilevas, Luke Coldren, Thomas Rowse, and Colin Feigel, and strong leadership from the coaching staff, the boys had impressive stats throughout the season. Currently leading the team in goals is Luke Coldren and Nate Duffy with 20 a piece, and their goalie Eric Druga with an impressive 111 saves. Players pushed themselves to their limits day in and day out, striving for excellence in every practice and game. Their passion for lacrosse shone brighter than the Martorelli lights, igniting the field with energy and enthusiasm no matter the outcome.
Team captain Nathan Patsilevas stated the team needs to do a better job of “regrouping and gameplanning at halftime to make adjustments for the second half and keep their foot on the gas pedal.” This has consistently been a major fault in their games as they play a strong first half but in many cases collapse following halftime, looking ahead it is definitely something to improve on for next year with a young team. Building off that, Patsilevas also mentioned how it is a young team in need of experience and his main goal as captain is to “keep everyone loose and having a good time out there while also keeping them locked in with our goals in mind.” Goalie Eric Druga says being a goalie is very difficult, but you just have to approach the game with an open mind and focus on the ball and do your best to stay in front of it. He also noted that some of the top teams in their section are losing big time players and North Hills will have a chance to make a run deep into the playoffs. Colin Feigel, an attacker for the Indians who scored a goal against the Foxes, said he saw an opening and opportunity to break through the defense and attack “top cheddar” to get a big goal early on.
The Indians will wrap up their season with away games against Knoch on 5/6, Butler on 5/7, and a major rivalry home game against Shaler on 5/9 to wrap up the season. The Indians call for North Hills supporters to show up and support the boys’ lacrosse team in these big games to finish the season with a bang. As the final whistle blows on this season, we ask the North Hills community to stand in support of its team, applauding their successes and thanking the seniors. The Indians may not make the playoffs, but their fighting spirit and dedication will leave a lasting impression on all who have witnessed their journey this season.
Eric Druga • May 6, 2024 at 10:47 am
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