This season, Benedictine head boys’ lacrosse coach Dustin White wondered what his team would do for an encore after last season. He admittedly didn’t have a good feeling about it.
The Cadets became the first team from Savannah last year to win a second-round game in the GHSA, marking the first team to advance to the state’s Elite Eight of the 32-team tournament before their historic run ended.
In the process, Benedictine lost 14 seniors, and the thought of rebuilding entered White’s mind.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” emphasized White, who is in his fourth season at the helm. “We had some players back on defense, but we knew we would be young on offense. We thought we would start the season going 3-3 or 4-4.”
White’s early anxieties were unfortunately confirmed when the Cadets began the season 0-2 with losses to Atlanta ‘s River Ridge in Mercer Stadium – White’s alma mater - as well as Jacksonville’s Episcopal School – two perennial powers – by a combined deficit of 28-11.
However, White’s and his players’ fears were soon vanquished.
Heading into play this week, the Cadets have won 11 straight and have a 3-0 in 2A Region 4.
“We got humbled with the two losses,” added White. “We lost our goals scoring from last year, and we knew it would be difficult. But the guys fought through some adversity and kept going.”
Arguably their two biggest wins during their stretch were two overtime wins, an 11-10 victory over Whitewater followed by a 12-11 triumph over Hilton Head Prep.
“Those were huge for us,” beamed White. “It was exciting and still has been exciting. We were up three or four goals on Hilton head, and then they tied it up. But the kids just kept battling, and they have been doing it all season.”
White was confident about his defense led by defensemen senior Tyler Redmond, junior JoeJoe Mahfet, senior Mason Young, and senior SLM Walter Groves. Goalie senior Conner Desautels has been steady all season in the nets.
Juniors Sean Adams and Colin Dionne, both of whom played JV last season, have plugged a hole in middle defense that was opened due to graduation.
Redmond, a senior, was confident the team would recover after their slow start.
“After a good playoff run last season, it was good for us to get hit in the mouth by solid teams like River Ridge and ESJ to start the season,” said Redmond. “Normally, around the middle of the season, we play good teams like those, and it served as a wake-up call that we still have to work on.
“That led us to the 11-game winning streak, and, hopefully, we can keep these games in mind in the future to finish out the year.”
Midfielder junior Wyatt Estabrook has been the Cadets’ leading scorer all season, and he has averaged five points per game this season. Senior Carter Young and junior Avery Allen also have been consistent all season.
Estabrook also sees the two overtime wins as a catalyst for the rest of the season.
“Those two games helped us find confidence as a whole and reminded us that we are a young group of defenders,” said Estabrook. “It’s our goal to always dominate and outwork those lining up against us because we always carry a certain pride and attitude as a program, just like we always have.
“Each player works as a part of the whole, and as a whole, we play for one another and ensure the job gets done.”
White has been pleased with the intensity level at practice, and is a major reason for the Cadets’ success. They will face Richmond Hill and Savannah Country Day in key regional matchups in the coming weeks.
“I believe our practices can be right there with the most competition we will see,” boasted White. “They really get after each other. They have kept a high level every day. We believe they can keep a high confidence level and put it all together at the end of the season.
“We want to be on pace to face an Atlanta-based team in the postseason.”
Redmond believes there are plenty of more positives down the road.
“I am proud of our season so far,” he said. “These wins would not have been possible without my hardworking teammates.”
Estabrook echoed his teammates’ sentiments.
“I have to give praise to our seniors, who have done everything right this season,” said Estabrook. “Without their leadership and knowledge, I don’t know where we would be.
“I’m stoked to what our guys can do as we head into the end of the regular season.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy Benedictine Lacrosse Social Media Pages
FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav and Instagram savannahsportsreport. If you have any scores, information, or story ideas to share, please email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com.
