MILFORD – The Milford High School boys lacrosse team may be struggling. The fight for the Spartans to somehow reach the Division II playoffs wages on.

Last Wednesday, the Milford High School boys lacrosse team battled against tough competitor Campbell and fell, 15-2.

“The goal was like every other goal … to win.” said midfielder and captain Matthew Hannon.

The Spartans are still driven to comeback with fire and make it to the playoffs.

“Playoffs are on the mind, we just need to win every game we’re supposed to from here on out.” says Hannon.

The midfielder reflected on the game and how he plans to work with his team to achieve its goal.

“Our biggest obstacle was catching the feeds. We kept getting open for the pass and we kept dropping the ball.” said

Hannon.

The team’s inability to keep control of the ball was its biggest downfall in the Campbell game.

“I feel like some of the effort in the first quarter was dulled down, we weren’t sprinting enough and the other team was running us out.” said Spartan Riley O’Shaughnessy.

Despite the outcome on the scoreboard, the team displayed some impressive techniques worth praising.

“I scored the first goal, so I’m pretty excited about that,” said O’Shaughnessy.

In the first quarter, Riley had scored one of the two goals against the strong defense of Campbell.

Goalie Kyle Forsley saved a number of fast and powerful shots along the way facing serious pressure for most of the game.

What goes on in the mind of a high school athlete when they’re competing?

“My mindset during the game is how I could do better, where I need to be positioned, and how to help make my teammates better.” says O’Shaughnessy.

“I think about the feeling of scoring a goal and winning.” said Hannon.

These players are very aware and involved mentally in their games making them dedicated to win.

With little time left in the season for the Spartans, their game needs to improve.

If the team wants to succeed in the playoffs, they will need to move the ball efficiently, drive down the field faster, and hit all the open pockets of the net.

On Tuesday, the Spartans fell to 2-7 with the tough, 11-8 loss to Trinity, despite 14 big saves from Forsley in goal. Logan Barnhill led Milford with three goals, while Hannon had two. Corey Girouard, O’Shaughnessy and Anthony Viola netted one apiece.

With four games remaining, Milford High now sits tenuously in the 10th and final playoff slot.

Tonight’s home date with divisional power Hopkinton (9-1) will be a monumental task. After that, three remain with Lebanon, Bishop Brady and Plymouth, all of whom reside below the Spartans in the standings.

Milford will likely need to sweep those three to move on to the postseason.