The Bristol co-op boys lacrosse team has started the season on an impressive winning streak that has only seen the team lose one game so far this year.
While Bristol headed into the year after a successful campaign last season, no one necessarily expected the young team to get out of the gate so fast, however, Bristol has executed their game-plans effectively and have advanced to a 5-1 record.
Despite still having things to work on, Bristol is off to a good start to the year. Bristol defeated Enfield on Thursday 14-6 for the second time this season. The team originally beat Enfield during the second game of the season 10-0.
Bristol coach Bill Els said this time around he was looking to have better execution as well as giving the younger players a chance at some in-game action. He said he simply wanted to see simple things like picking up ground balls, throwing and catching as well as being in the right position.
“Everyday we’re getting a little bit better,” Els said. “We played a team yesterday that we beat convincingly and we beat them again convincingly. The effort is there. The kids are buying in.”
Bristol has shown to be a very resilient squad with three of their games being decided by one-point. Bristol defeated Tolland 7-6 and beat Newington 9-8. Their one loss on the season came to Lewis Mills in a 9-8 score.
Within the Lewis Mills game, Bristol actually had an opportunity to tie the score late in the ball game. With 24 seconds left in the game, Els called a timeout and discussed the game plan. Bristol was able to come out of the timeout and get two quality shots at the goal, however, Lewis Mills’ goalie made two big time saves.
“We played as a team the best we’ve ever played,” Els said. “That was our best performance as a team and we just happened to lose. I told the team it’s ok if we lose a game. it's a learning experience.”
Els said players like Chase Dauphinee, Hayden Collins, Max Stavens, Brady Bell and Dylan Brown have been some of the standouts that have contributed to their fast start.
However, he said with only four seniors on the team he didn’t expect the team to play so well out the gate.
“We have a tremendous challenge on Monday against Wethersfield, which we want to try and keep it competitive,” he said. “They’re one of the top teams, if not the top team, that we will be facing before the playoffs.”
Els said this game will be about their lacrosse IQ of knowing when to press, when to shoot, when to hold the ball as well as just executing the game plan.
The game takes place on Monday at Bristol Eastern at 3:45 p.m.
“They have a really good program overall, but we’re up for the challenge and I’m excited about it,” Els said.
