On Wednesday, April 27, Skyline and Pioneer’s Men’s Lacrosse faced off in what was expected to be a contentious game at Pioneer’s Holloway Field.

Pioneer started off strong in the first quarter, winning the initial face off and taking possession from the get go. The team appeared comfortable on their home field, with Pioneer’s strong, evasive passing on offense leading to a quick first goal only minutes into the quarter. Skyline goalie Jacob McGuckin made a solid save soon after but struggled with a difficult clear, allowing Pioneer to repossess the ball high in the midfield. Pioneer’s Devon Gallagher made the team’s second goal not long after the first, noticeably building their attack’s momentum. The third goal scored on Skyline was a swift top corner shot executed by #2 Nate Yuhas, prompting the subbing out of Skyline’s starting lineup. With seven minutes remaining in the quarter, Pioneer’s #7 Jack Reid scored their fourth goal with a well-timed crease roll. Skyline then called their first time out, which they returned from strongly, finally taking possession on attack.

Pioneer moved into defense, and their goalie cleared a shot on goal deep into the midfield, where it was received by Skyline’s #5 Grant Marshall, who tore down the field back onto offense, shaking off three to four defenders at a time. Several more shots on goal were saved by Skyline’s McGuckin, but ultimately the Eagles’ defense was unable to hold up against Pioneer’s faster, more physical attack, and #12 Doug Shipp was able to score a fifth goal before the quarter was up.

In the second quarter Skyline dominated, with Marshall bodying defenders out of the way early on to take in Skyline’s first goal. With eight minutes left in the half, Skyline began winning more faceoffs, leading to increased strategizing on attack. Their second goal was scored by #29 Jack Watza, and the third shortly after by #19 Jackson Catchot with an assist by Marshall. The teams appeared more equally matched as the quarter went on, with Skyline’s defense beginning to make smarter passes and effectively clear the ball from their end zone.

With the score at 5-3 at the beginning of the second half, Skyline returned to D. Pioneer’s sixth goal was scored by #17 Sam Millman, who also assisted the next goal, scored by Reid. Skyline worked aggressively to retake possession, but as a result ran into multiple penalties from the refs, for ‘unnecessary roughness’ and ‘cross-checking’, forcing them into man-down plays which crumbled their defense and stalled their attack. The Eagles continued to struggle with passing on high attack and forcing turnovers in the midfield. Pioneer’s eighth goal was scored by #10 Noah Gago, followed shortly by their ninth and then tenth point, which was scored by Reid.

In the final quarter, Skyline was able to take possession back briefly, and made several attempts on goal from the 12 yard line — although they went wide — as well as an over-the-goal attempted assist between Marshall and #2 Ethan Harding. Pioneer played their most aggressive defense during this quarter, receiving a penalty for “slashing,” yet still managing to keep Skyline’s attack blocked out from anywhere within the 12. In the remaining minutes of the game, Pioneer 11th goal was scored by #27 Matt Auer, and Marshall scored once more for the Eagles, bringing the final score to 11-4.

This major defeat for the Eagles is expected to slow team momentum for the rest of their games this week and the next, especially with the likelihood of its replication at the rematch against Pioneer, rescheduled for Thursday, April 28.