It takes a Casa Grande team to upset Trojans in lacrosse showdown

There is no “I” in team, but for the Casa Grande High School lacrosse team, there is a “W.”

The Gauchos used a coordinated assault from every starter and several players from the sideline to earn a satisfying 18-10 win over rival Petaluma Friday night on the Petaluma turf.

“The biggest thing was that we had 10 guys working together on the field,” said Casa Grande coach Ben Hewitt. “And it wasn’t just the starters, every one on the team helped.”

The win was especially satisfying for the Gauchos, who had lost both games to Petaluma last year – losses that cost Casa a chance for a share of the league title in the first year of official California Interscholastic Federation play for both local teams.

“This is a big deal,” said Cast Grande goalie Hank Wickley, a four-year varsity player and team leader. “I’ve known most of the (Petaluma) guys since we started playing. It felt great to finally beat them.”

Reflective of the total Casa Grande team effort was that seven Gauchos scored. Peter Lantier led the way with five, Tommy Buickerood added four, Josh Garcia three, Ian McKissick and Brandon Keefer two apiece and AJ Cole and Philippe Devarenne one each.

Harrison Baker and Isaiah Blomgren each scored three for the Trojans, while Brandon Ruzick added two and Elli Scherer and Justin Turner one apiece.

As the game opened, it looked like Petaluma would continue its dominance over its cross-town rival. The Trojans scored the game’s first three goals and made the early lead stand the entire first period, shutting the Gauchos out with a swarming defense.

When the Gauchos finally broke through, a flood of goals followed. Casa Grande scored four goals within a matter of about three minutes, taking advantage of a suddenly tenuous Petaluma attack.

When Buickerood staged a one-man assault to score in the final hectic seconds, Petaluma led at the half, 9-5.

The second half followed a familiar pattern, with Casa Grande moving the ball well with exceptional stick handling and Petaluma scoring in brief flurries, only to be matched by the tenacious Gauchos.

Despite a never-quit effort from the Trojans, Casa Grande put the game away at the outset of the fourth period when it scored four straight goals for a 10-goal lead (16-6).

Petaluma had a three-goal spurt about halfway through the final period, but could get no closer than 16-9.

With time running out, the Gauchos played it smart, taking their time with each possession as the Trojans became increasingly desperate.

After the game, Petaluma coach Kevin Louchis complimented the Gauchos. “They are a good, well-coached team,” he said. “That was the best team game I’ve seen Casa play in a long time. We had some nice flashes, but they were the better team tonight.”

Louchis said Petaluma is going to have to get used to getting opposing teams’ best efforts after winning league last season. “Every team we play is going to show up,” he said. “We just can’t get frustrated. We have to be patient.”

The rivals meet again on April 19 in the “Battle for the Paddle.”