Entering their first match of the season against Sequoia High School on Thursday, March 7, boys’ varsity lacrosse wasn’t sure what to expect. After graduating a staggering 18 seniors from last year’s roster, the Panthers knew they needed time to develop team chemistry and cohesiveness.

However, despite the nerves that come with a season opener, the Panthers played their hearts out on the field, and their determination and relentless hustle earned them a close 2-1 victory over the Ravens.

“We are a young team. We had a little bit of first-game jitters, and you can see that in the gameplay,” head coach Logan Brown said. “But that being said, their heart won out. Their capacity to keep on playing with full athleticism, giving 100%, is what won the game.”

The game was frenetic, with frequent turnovers, rapid-fire shots and saves from both sides’ goalies. After junior Roman Karp scored the Panthers’ first goal in the second quarter to tie the game 1-1, the score remained the same for the entire third quarter. It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that junior Anders Gauthier scored and gave Burlingame a lead they wouldn’t let go.

The player of the game was, without a doubt, senior goalie Luke Nielsen. Nielsen proved that goalies do not need to be confined to the cage, frequently coming far outside the crease to get open for his teammates and chasing the ball to the boundaries to gain possession for the Panthers. But when it counted, Nielsen was poised and ready in the cage, diving to deflect the Ravens’ numerous shots and only allowing one in.

“With the breakdowns that we had at different points, [Nielsen] didn’t let us down,” Brown said. “He had multiple standout plays, going above and beyond what is normally expected of a goalie.”

Overall, the ball spent more time on the Panthers’ end of the field. Luckily, the defense stayed tight, with senior Ike Cafferkey at the forefront keeping communication going. Sophomore Rowan Maher’s stick skills were noteworthy this game, and his capabilities on ground balls greatly contributed to the Panthers’ defensive success, according to Brown. Sophomore Lucas Kim also stood out due to his coachability and quick thinking on the field.

“[Kim] listens,” Brown said. “Having players who can listen and react and do what I ask in the minute is a super desirable trait, and he definitely gives that to me.”

Offensively, junior Henry Bradley helped the Panthers keep and gain possessions by chasing the ball after missed shots. Gauthier was a leader in the midfield, taking the ball up and down the field and blowing through Sequoia’s defensive efforts with exceptional ball control and speed.

“I think the whole team is filled with grit,” Gauthier said. “Just the aggression, the anger we play with is really good for us. It did lead to a couple penalties for us, but that’s really how we got the [win].” 

Cafferkey and Gauthier agreed that there is room for improvement, mainly working to hone fundamentals.

“Overall, I think [the team] looked pretty decent, but we have a lot to work on,” Cafferkey said. “Our passing, our catching, our conditioning, just really basic skills.”

Although Brown appreciated the team’s energy and enthusiasm, he also acknowledged the value of staying calm during games and keeping a level head.

“Instead of playing like their pants are on fire, they need to play with ice in their veins,” Brown said. “They need to keep their wits about them, and control their hearts and not let their hearts control them.”