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The ability to win face-offs can provide lacrosse teams a real boost in contests, and the Dragons displayed strength in gaining possession consistently.
The Dragons' prowess in both areas is a big reason why Carroll (11-6 heading into the final three games of the regular season) was ranked within the top eight teams in the state and in prime position to return to the playoffs.
Although only a sophomore, Neel Shenoy’s effort in face-offs (winning 218 of 348 face-offs — 62%) gave the Dragons a huge lift and has earned the praise of Carroll head coach Bruce Frady.
“He's one of the better face-off guys in the state,” Frady says. “He's done a phenomenal job.”
Once possession was established, the Dragons' attack knew how to put shots away. Juniors Luke Sganga (79 points — 59 goals, 20 assists) and Jack Manero (50 points — 36 goals, 14 assists) have made their presence known. Of the 550 shots taken by the team through 17 games, Sganga and Manero combined for 285. Quinn Tyler, a sophomore who also started on the attack, was next with 34 points.
Defensively, junior Grant Doby anchored the unit with his ability to cover the field, play ground balls, display solid defense and aid in early stages of attack.
“We're a little light in our senior class,” Frady says. “We're playing some younger guys when we're short... but we have plenty of competition within our roster.”
SEASON RECAP
The Carroll boys lacrosse team’s comeback win over The Woodlands on April 3 put an end to a three-game skid against top-tier programs, including national power St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (SSSA) out of Virginia and state power Highland Park.
The excitement culminated in the final two minutes, as Carroll went from trailing 7-6 to scoring twice, including the winning goal with 19 seconds remaining.
As of May, Southlake Carroll was ranked seventh in the state with a 13-8 overall record. Highland Park was fourth, while The Woodlands was 12th.
“[The Woodlands win] has a lot of value for us in terms of where we're ranked,” Carroll head coach Bruce Frady says.
Playing top teams — and defeating quality programs — helped the Dragons in the rankings until they were propelled all the way to the Division I-AA playoffs, along with eight other teams for a chance at the state title. While the Dragons ultimately fell 12-13 against St. Marks in round one, this season did see the Dragons overcome Austin Lake Travis (No. 12) and St. John’s (No. 24).
“That's why I schedule [quality teams], because the bottom line is we're going to have to see those guys again [in the playoffs],” Frady says.