Boys lacrosse will take on the Washington-Liberty Generals on March 29, in their final game before the start of their district season.
The Atoms won their first game of the season by a score of 15-4 over Park View on March 14. However, dropping consecutive games to Alexandria City and Trinity has dropped the team to 1-2 on the season.
A huge strong spot for the team so far has been the defensive effort, as the team has dramatically improved from last season on that side of the field.
Junior Cyrus Assadzadeh has become the team’s starting goalie this season, anchoring the team’s defensive approach.
“Cyrus has really stepped up with his role of goalie this year. He sees the ball well and really makes some incredible saves in practices and games,” head coach Bill Maglisceau said.
The increasingly dependable defense will be the anchor in the team’s eyed turnaround on March 29, as the team looks to further improve their offensive control.
“Our defense is really close and I have complete trust in them to stop attacks in clutch situations,” junior Connor Lape said. “On the flip side of that, we’ve struggled to hold the ball down on offense, that is something that I take responsibility for and we will improve as we gain experience.”
Lape has transitioned to a striker in his junior year for the Atoms, taking on a new role as a captain and improving at his skills as a face off player.
With a combined three goals in the team’s recent losses, the team is prioritizing ball control and offensive approach to create better offensive opportunities.
“The players have improved their stick skills in practice and have grasped the fact that getting ground balls is critical to being able to generate positive plays on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field,” Maglisceau said.
AHS will be put to the test in their game against Washington-Liberty, as the Generals are 2-3, with victories over Thomas Jefferson and Mt. Vernon, two opponents who the Atoms will face later in the season.
“My goal is to become a leader and help our team be more efficient by improving our communication, being a better team player, and trusting my teammates entirely,” senior Danny Train said. “I believe that if we buy into that approach, we will achieve the success we believe in down the stretch.”
Following the Atoms game against Generals, they will have a two-week break between competition, with time to prepare and recover ahead of the teams district schedule.
The team will play their first district game against the Lewis Lancers on April 11.
With the leadership and skill in place, the Atoms are primed for a successful season if they are able to capitalize from early season experience.