Matthew Smith
When playing the Southlake Carroll boys lacrosse team, opponents can pick their poison. Having built a reputation as a tough defense, the Dragons don’t make it any easier when on the other end of the field.
Carroll’s offensive attack has become a family affair, as the addition of brothers Matt and Luke Sganga to the varsity team give the Dragons a formidable scoring threat.
“Those are the two guys that teams have to try to shut down,” Carroll coach Bruce Frady says. “They’re going to win games for us, and they’ve done it already.”
A perfect example of the brothers’ prowess was in a game with Coppell this spring. Luke Sganga scored five goals, while Matt Sganga had the winning goal with a second left in the contest.
Meanwhile, the Dragons’ defense continues to set the tone, led by senior standout defensemen Conor Spagnolli (committed to Towson University in Maryland) and Hunter Holden (committed to Hendricks).
“Our ability to create some chaos on the defensive end yet create some opportunities in transition on the offensive end — I believe that brings a different side of the game that a lot of coaches in this area aren’t used to seeing,” Frady says.
SEASON UPDATE
After playing only half its normal schedule last year due to the pandemic, Dragon Lacrosse eagerly got back out on the field. Despite the missed time, Southlake Carroll boys coach Bruce Frady knew his team had to be up to speed in a hurry once they started facing area teams.
The Dragon schedule doesn’t allow for subpar play, and that was evident from the start. Facing the likes of Highland Park (ranked No. 1 in the state), Dallas Jesuit (No. 2) and Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) — also a top five team — Carroll had to bring its A-game.
“With the sport of lacrosse in Texas, the best lacrosse is played in Dallas,” says Frady, now in his third year as a Dragon coach. “You’re going to have to get through them in the playoffs anyway, so you might as well be prepared by playing them in the spring.”
Outside of the Metroplex, Austin Westlake and The Woodlands from the Houston area are considered two of the best programs. Frady made sure to add them to the schedule this season as well.
With an 8-3 record heading into a grueling stretch run of facing Dallas St. Mark’s, Jesuit, Westlake and ESD in 10 days, Carroll finished the regular season at 9-6 and now waits to learn its first-round matchup. But the Dragons became battle-tested throughout the spring and set to make their impact felt in the postseason.
“The reality is, I think we should be in the state championship,” Frady says. “That’s our goal every year, nothing less.”