Annapolis Boys Lacrosse Enjoying Seven Game Winning Streak

After a slow start to 2016, it looks like this season could be a memorable one for the Annapolis boys lacrosse program.

The Panthers began the season 1-2, giving up 12 goals to both Severn School and Broadneck in losing efforts. Annapolis hasn't lost since then though, reeling off seven straight wins to give them an 8-2 mark.

"Starting out 1-2 was a wake-up call," head coach Dustin McConnaughhay said. "Since then we have played pretty well, but we need to continue to improve every day at practice and perform come game time."

For the entire month of April, all the Panthers have done is perform well.

The team is led by its strong senior class. It's a big group which has contributed to the program for multiple years. Most of the guys in the group contributed to the team as sophomores, and three of them have started since they were freshmen.

"We have strong leadership from our captains and the entire senior class. Our biggest strength is that these guys are so competitive," McConnaughhay said.

On offense, the list of contributors is long, showing the depth and versatility Annapolis has at its disposal. In terms of points, Davis Hitt, Scott Mitchell, Dylan Morton, Jordan Kopf and Stephen Moheiser have led the way by eclipsing 20 points on the season.

Defensively, the Panthers have been playing very well of late. Annapolis has held traditional powers South River and Arundel to seven goals in its past two games, and also registered a shutout against Glen Burnie on April 8. Much like the offense, the team has depth on the defensive end of the field, with Camden Stramanak, J.Q. Stramanak, Rennie Rice, Henry Hitt, Christian Purcell and Adam Tewey standing out. The team's goalkeeper, Nolan Burnett-Milbourne, has also been in fine form.

Annapolis has also gotten solid play from its faceoff men, Presley Miller and Purcell.

"When we play fast and confident, it's fun to watch," McConnaughhay said.

Looking ahead, Annapolis will have plenty of tests before the MPSSAA playoffs. After facing a tough opponent from Howard County in Marriotts Ridge, the Panthers will go up against Severna Park and then Chesapeake-AA, two teams near the top of Anne Arundel County's standings.

The remaining games should adequately prepare the Panthers for what's to come when the playoffs begin. Those games will be necessary tests for Annapolis, which is a member of the loaded 4A/3A east region.

Recently, the Panthers have not had the postseason performances they've desired. The last three years the Panthers have been eliminated by Anne Arundel County foes- Arundel in 2013, and Broadneck in both 2014 and 2015. With the way this year's team is currently playing, that trend could end this season.

"Lacrosse is such a short season. This one has been fun so far, so I look forward to every practice, game and opportunity this group has together for the rest of the season," McConnaughhay said. "Our goals and expectations are high as they are every season. If we continue to approach each game one at a time, we will put ourselves in position to win against every opponent we face."