PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND

Butler boys lacrosse cruises to 19-6 victory

May 01, 2023 Last Updated: April 30, 2023 10:15 PM High School

BUTLER TWP — The future of Butler boys lacrosse appears to be pretty bright.

Butler's lan Wilson (5) juggles the ball while getting past Nick Reisenauer of Fairview in the Golden Tornado’s 19-6 boys lacrosse win Saturday at Art Bernardi Stadium. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 4/29/23

Then again, the present isn’t exactly dim.

The Golden Tornado received 17 goals from underclassmen Saturday in rolling to a 19-6 victory over Class 2A Fairview at Art Bernardi Stadium. Brenden Stevens was the lone senior to score, tallying the final two goals of the day, the latter coming with 9:17 still left to play.

The goals were Stevens’ first tallies of the season.

“It’s always good to see that,” Butler coach Justin Steiner said. “We approached the second half a little differently, moving guys around to different positions and getting other guys into the game.

“You learn new things about the game when you play a new position. That experience benefits the player and it benefits the team.”

Butler (8-6) had a 9-2 lead by the end of the first quarter, twice scoring goals just four seconds apart. The score was 15-4 by halftime.

None of the Tornado players who scored in the first half scored in the second.

“I was happy to see that happen,” Butler junior attacker Ayden Davis said. “It’s good to get more guys involved in the scoring. It only makes us stronger as a team.”

Butler had a 4-0 lead less than four minutes into the game. Jake Stevens, a freshman, scored three of those early goals. The margin would have been 5-0, but the Tornado had one goal disallowed because they had a player in the goal crease.

Evan Grimm got Fairview (4-5) on the board with his first of five goals on the day with 7:22 left in the opening quarter. But the Tigers could not keep the game competitive. The mercy clock (12-goal differential) was invoked following a Maxwell Rihn goal with 8:56 left in the third quarter.

“We didn’t have our top face-off player with us today and that hurt us in terms of getting possession,” Fairview coach Tim Palochak said. “They controlled play most of the game.

“We wanted to come down and play Butler for the experience of playing a higher level of competition. Games like this will help get us ready for the District 10 playoffs.”

Davis had five goals and three assists to lead Butler’s attack. Jake Stevens had four goals, Brock Collins, William Parker and Ian Wilson two each. Collins and Parker are sophomores. Rihn and Jackson Solata joined Brenden Stevens in scoring second-half goals.

The Tornado defeated Cathderal Prep, 20-11, on Friday in Erie. Davis had seven goals in that game and has more than 50 for the season.

Butler played Saturday without senior and co-captain Landon Dubyak, who is out indefinitely. Dubyak and Davis lead the team in goals and assists.

“Landon scored a combined 20 goals in his last two games,” Steiner said. “We expect to have him back in time for the playoffs.”