Lacrosse: Allatoona boys top Westminster 9-7 for A-5A state title

Allatoona jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and never relented, even when Westminster pushed ahead in the second half. The Bucs captured their first state title in lacrosse 9-7 in a thrilling game which saw four-time state champion Westminster push Allatoona to the brink before falling short of repeating as state champs. Danny Tesler's goal off a face-off with 1:04 left put the game on ice.

The Buccaneers took an early 3-0 lead on goals from Trevor Stuart, Carson Sorrells and Ben Galloway before Jack Patton netted the first of his four goals for the Wildcats. After Stuart tacked on another goal to make it 4-1, Westminster tagged on four unanswered goals to move ahead 5-4 in the third quarter. Cope Fitzharris hit John Farley before the half to trim the lead to 4-2.

Logan Devereaux found the back of the net and Henry Parker assisted Patton to tie the game. Devereaux fed Patton to take Westminster’s only lead of the game. From there the Buccaneers steadied the ship, getting goals from Austin Zumbado and Galloway in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 8-6.  Patton connected with Fitzharris to bring the Wildcats to within one at 8-7, but Tesler’s late goal was the deciding blow.