This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Despite Recent Struggles, Panthers' Lacrosse Teams Remain Optimistic

Pikesville High School boys and girls varsity lacrosse teams were a combined 0-4 last week, but both coaches see their teams building for the playoffs.

BOYS

Although his team has struggled some after starting the season 2-0, Pikesville High School boys lacrosse coach Craig Campbell still has his sights set on the Class 2A-1A North championship game.

The Panthers have dropped five of their last six games, including losses to Franklin (14-11) and Dulaney (17-3) last week, but the team has reached the regional title game seven straight years under Campbell. And even despite the struggles, the coach doesn’t see any reason why that streak will end this season.

Find out what's happening in Pikesvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kevin Saval, who had five goals in the loss to Franklin, leads the Panthers in goals (21) and points (25). Justin Amoyal (14 points), Carlos Locke (13), Jory Parson (13), Dan Adamson (13) and Ethan Thompson (12) have each tallied 12 points or more. Locke is second on the team with 12 goals, while Parson, just a freshman, has scored 11. Amoyal has recorded a team-best 11 assists.

“We’re building towards May,” Campbell said. “We’re still aiming to get to the regional championship."

Find out what's happening in Pikesvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you win that, you have a one-in-four chance of winning the state title, he explained.

"And quite frankly, the Dulaney and Hereford games, they were clearly superior teams, but all the other games have been competitive, win or lose.”

GIRLS

Meanwhile, similar to its male counterparts, Pikesville’s girls’ team has hit a rough patch of late.

The Panthers (2-4) have dropped three of their last four games, including losses to Franklin (14-11) and Dulaney (17-1) last week.

Yet, like Campbell, girls’ coach Andrew Burkhardt is optimistic Pikesville will turn the corner in time for the playoffs.

Senior midfielder Skylar Fidel leads the Panthers in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33). Alex Shearer and Lacey Kurlander have both scored nine goals, tied for second-best on the team.

“We’ve played some of the top teams in the county and I’ve been extremely pleased with the way we’ve really come together as a team,” Burkhardt said.

The players are taking steps forward in their games, and see that they have potential to be better, she said.

"When we play to our full potential, we can be a dangerous team. There’s no telling how far we can go when things are clicking.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?