Vashon’s lacrosse Vultures team put together its most spirited and hard-fought game of the season with an upset 11-10 victory against juggernaut Eastlake High School on Saturday, April 26.

The match capped off a two-of-three-win week for the team, which also defeated Roosevelt 11-9 the day before, Friday, April 25, after losing to Puyallup 14-9 on Tuesday, April 22.

Vashon had little time to warm up before the Eastlake game after a late arrival because of ferry boat delays. The late arrival appeared to hurt Vashon in the first half, as Eastlake took a 7-4 lead.

Eastlake maintained its three-goal lead, 9-6, going into the fourth quarter.

But Vashon seemed to have a special resolve and determination in this game, according to coach Charley Rosenberry.

Senior co-captain Ian Blixt exemplified this determination with tenacious defense especially by clearing the ball out of the defensive end. In the fourth quarter, Vashon unloaded for five goals and held Eastlake to one. Senior co-captain Derek Kimbrough peppered the goal for four of his game- high six goals. Junior Jack Lorence scored the game-winner with just over two minutes left in regulation.

The game highlighted the wonderful four-year high school lacrosse careers of Kimbrough and Blixt who are two of only three seniors on the team. Additionally, it previewed the potential for Vashon to have a solid high school lacrosse team in the next few years, said Rosenberry.

In the win against Roosevelt, Vashon appeared a little lethargic and disorganized in the first quarter to fall behind 4-1.

Vashon put on its game face in the second quarter to tie the game at five going into halftime.

Then the Pirates came out strong with five unanswered goals in the third period and hung on for the win.

Again, Vashon’s scoring was balanced with five different players contributing. Jack Lorence led all scorers with 3 goals and 3 assists. Junior goalie Chad Richardson made some critical saves to keep Vashon’s hopes alive throughout the game.

As has been the story for so much of this season, Vashon kept the Puyallup game close into the fourth quarter before a slate of mistakes doomed the Pirates, Rosenberry said. Puyallup pulled away in the fourth for the win.