Lyndsay Fogarty
When the boy’s lacrosse season began in January, Bishop Moore Catholic High School’s team set a goal to win a district championship and go as far as possible in the playoffs. While they didn’t make it to the state tournament, the Bishop Moore Hornets ended the season on a high note with a 17-3 final overall standing.
According to Head Varsity Coach Reed Reynolds, who is in his fourth year of coaching the Hornets, this is one of the best records in BMC history and the best in over 10 years. Their district championship was also the first for the team since 2009. Reynolds attributes the team’s success to their dedication, hard work and mental toughness.
“I think the ability to overcome deficits and the mental toughness of the group this year has probably been key,” he says.
While all the players have made a difference in the outcome of this season, there have been several standouts. Charlie Rask, a senior who will be attending Rollins College to play lacrosse next year, has been a star defensive player. He believes their bond as a close-knit team played a part in their victory at districts and their push into the playoffs.
“From the beginning of the season, we knew we had a good group of guys returning, a good group of seniors and underclassmen to back those guys up,” Charlie says. “We’ve really bonded together … the team has come together as one.”
Reynolds also says junior Will Jones was a standout defensive player. He was named All-American this year, an honor that goes to just seven players in Central Florida. It was a goal that he set for himself at the beginning of the season.
“I couldn’t have done it without the coaches and all the other players,” Will says. “I think any individual success I’ve had, I’ve only been able to accomplish because of how good our defense is and how good our team is.”
On the offensive side, Reynolds considers sophomore Jake Keifer, who plays attack and mid-field, a strong player because they can rely on him to do whatever is needed offensively. Robbie Bennett, who was the leading scorer at the mid-point of the season, also had a hand in the team’s success. While he sustained a knee injury, he bounced back just as the team was getting ready for districts.
At the beginning of each game, the players head out on the field with one goal in mind: Be prepared for high intensity and execute the game plan. As the season came to an end, Reynolds says this team was one of the best he and his coaching staff have had the opportunity to coach and that it was a great group of seniors.
He says, “I hope I am forced to keep saying that every year moving forward and the future teams continue to improve.”
Although Bishop Moore lost to Lake Highland Preparatory School in overtime to stop their quest for a state title, there is no question that the Hornets are on their way to becoming a top-rated lacrosse team.
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