The REPORTER
The Carmel boys lacrosse team is off to a strong start this season.
The Greyhounds, last year’s Class 2A state runner-up, have played and won four games, winning all of them by double-digit margins. Carmel started on March 6 with a 16-8 win at Louisville St. Xavier.
Last week, Carmel rolled past three more opponents in games played at the Greyhounds’ own Murray Stadium. Carmel beat North Central 19-1 on Wednesday, March 18, then breezed past two Michigan opponents on back-to-back night, taking care of Forest Hills Central 18-3 on Friday, March 20 and East Grand Rapids 15-3 on Saturday, March 21.
“We’re doing well,” said Hounds coach Keith Allen. “We have not too many holes on offense so I think we’ll be able to score pretty well.”
On defense, Carmel’s goals are to hold teams from scoring and winning faceoffs. Allen said that will be “a big part of our year defensively.”
Junior Lincoln O’Leary led the way for the Greyhounds over St. Xavier with four goals. Senior Evan Coulter, who is committed to Anderson University, had the most assists with three.
It was senior Ike Stitle’s turn when Carmel played North Central. The Siena recruit put in six goals against the Panthers and also dished out three assists. Sophomore Jack Stitle also made three assists. Senior E.B. Warren, a University of Tampa commit, scored two goals, same as he did against St. Xavier.
Ike Stitle stepped up again for the Greyhounds’ win over Forest Hills Central, with six goals. Sophomore Luke Shrift made four goals while Coulter handed out four assists.
Coulter was the offensive force for Carmel against East Grand Rapids, providing seven assists. Ike Stitle scored four goals, while O’Leary added three goals.
Several other Greyhounds are committed to play in college. Wil Bates is headed to Maryville, Henry Dvorak will play at LeMoyne, while Max McCord and Cohen Odle are both committed to Palm Beach Atlantic.
Carmel has two games this week, hosting Westfield Wednesday evening before playing at Crown Point on Saturday.