BYU Lacrosse Holds Annual Blue/White Scrimmage

PROVO, UT- The BYU Men’s Lacrosse Team held their annual Blue/White split squad scrimmage Friday. After 4 quarters of battling back and forth, the White team prevailed over the Blue team 9-6.

The Blue/White scrimmage has become an annual event for the Cougars.  Donning classic BYU Lacrosse jerseys, the team is divided in half and battle in a full length game. On the line is bragging rights and wind sprints.

“This is our second Blue/White Scrimmage this year and the first of the semester” said Head Coach Matt Schneck. “It’s important to find the right balance in how we prepare for success both on and off the field. We are implementing new traditions that provide opportunities for the team members to reach that balance while working hard and having a great time with a sport they love.”

Sophomore Corey Gunderson got the Blue team out to an early lead with back to back goals in the first quarter.  After several missed opportunities for White, and some stellar goalie play by Senior Will Hilton, the quarter ended with Blue holding on to the 2 goal lead.

After regrouping at the quarter break, White came storming out in the second quarter. Lead by Junior Midfielder Dan Cole, who won every face-off in the second quarter, White took the momentum, and the lead. Senior Midfielder Elliot Grow found Sophomore Kent Mann on the crease for a series of goals as part of a 4-0 run for the White team.

“Dan (Cole) was the difference in the game,” said Assistant Coach Jordan Harris, who was the coach of the Blue team. “We’ve always said that face-offs can change any game, and Dan proved that today. I’m just glad we are all on the same team in 4 weeks.”

The Blue team was able to break the streak with a goal by Sophomore Midfielder Jared Houghton. White answered right back with goals from Sophomore Midfielder Andrew Harding and Grow.

Going into the fourth quarter White held a commanding 7-3 lead. With goals by Sophomore Jacob Houghton, and Junior Brian Mathay, Blue tried to make a game of it, but White answered right back with two goals of their own.  Blue was able to tack on one more goal as time expired, giving White the 9-7 victory.

“It was fun to get out and scrimmage and see how we’re progressing as a team,” Said Senior Taylor Redd. “As fun as the blue/white scrimmage was, I think the whole team is getting very anxious to go out and play another team.”

Notes:

• With the win, the White team was able to watch as the Blue team got some extra conditioning in. Perhaps the most impressive play of the day came as Mathay kicked a 55 yd. field goal to cut the amount of conditioning in half for the Blue team in a contest with Head Coach Matt Schneck.

• The Cougars will take on local rival Utah Valley University in a preseason scrimmage Saturday at 7:00 A.M. in the Indoor Practice Facility on the BYU Campus.