Stewart Johnson
DPS_BLax
After graduating five defensemen and installing a freshman in goal, there were many questions about how the boys lacrosse team would prepare themselves for the 2024 season opener. However, a mix of veteran and younger players have stepped up on all fronts, affording the Dragons (6-2 overall versus Texas teams, 2-1 in conference play) a prime position in the state playoff tournament this May.
The defensive effort from the young unit proved itself early in the schedule as the Dragons defeated Allen 13-4, Houston St. John’s 13-3 and division rival Keller by 19-8. Carroll also registered wins of 14-4 over Dallas St. Marks and another lopsided 12-6 victory against Coppell midway through the season.
The biggest boost to the Dragons’ defensive success has come from the play of freshman goalkeeper Jaxon Taylor. Normally, a young athlete in goal could be a potential liability, but Taylor has proven his future is bright in the sport, registering an impressive save percentage of 62% of shots on goal.
“In my opinion, he's been one of the best goalies in the state of Texas,” head coach Bruce Frady says. “For a freshman to do that is more than we ever expected to happen. So I'm very blessed and very happy and I definitely think we've done more on that end of the field than probably any coaches expected us to.”
Carroll’s offense was also tasked with overcoming the departure of a prolific goal scorer Luke Sganga, whose 270-plus career varsity points headed to the University of Utah after graduation. This season, senior attacker Quinn Tyler has become the go-to guy, scoring a team-high 36 goals and adding nine assists for 45 points late in the season.
Sophomore attacker Max Bushaw (26 goals, 11 assists) and senior midfielder Sam Sheehan (14 goals, 16 assists) both came on strong with increased scoring to provide Carroll’s offensive threat with more than enough firepower.
Earlier in the season, the team traveled to Florida to take on three quality programs. Falling to Boca Raton-based Saint Andrews (17-1) by a 15-5 final might have stung initially, but it was a great test that strengthened the Dragons for the long season ahead.
The same can be said for Carroll’s meetings with Texas powers Westlake and Highland Park, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state rankings. The losses were lopsided, but it was just the matchups Frady’s team needed to refocus and retool just a few games remaining before the postseason. The Dragons are working to rebound from a 2023 playoff appearance that saw them fall by a slender 15-14 margin to The Episcopal School of Dallas in the first round.
“I think it's Highland Park, Westlake, The Woodlands, and then I would say that we're in the mix,” Frady says of the teams he expects to be competing for the Double-A division state title in May. “We've got to dominate at the faceoff and we've got to play great defense. That's the bottom line.”
As reported on May 16, 2024.