The Hamilton Southeastern boys lacrosse team won its first-ever Indiana High School Lacrosse Association state championship on Saturday, beating Culver Academy 15-14.
After a back and forth start with goals pouring in from both teams, Culver led 11-8 at halftime. Lukas DeVoe led the charge for the Royals. The Eagles were controlling the face-off X which made it very hard for the Royals to gain and keep possession.
With six minutes left in the third quarter, the Royals were down 14-9, but then their comeback started. With Nick Riina at the X and his senior teammates David Sage and Tyler Renschen on the wings, Southeastern quickly won possession, ran down the field and with two passes, the ball hit the back of the net, finished by freshman Ryan Kemp.
With the score now 14-10 the Royal crowd could feel the momentum rising. Riina continued to dominate the ground balls off of the face-off and his wings helped out tremendously. Senior Keegan Logan and Kemp were the beneficiary of a lot of gritty tough plays by the midfielders. After a goal by Renschen and two by Kemp, it was Logan with the go-ahead goal with 5:11 left in the game. The Royals defense held strong for the reminding time to seal the victory.
Southeastern advanced to the final by beating Cathedral 11-9 in the Friday semi-final.
The Hamilton Southeastern boys lacrosse team won its first-ever state championship on Saturday. The Royals made a big comeback in the second half to beat Culver Academy 15-14, after being down 14-9 in the third quarter. (Photo provided)