The Oak Forest Bengals boys lacrosse team secured an 18-5 victory over the Kenwood Broncos on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive home win at the start of the season.
According to reports, Oak Forest, now with a 2-0 record both overall and in conference play, began strongly in the first quarter. Junior attacker Aidan Koleczek and sophomore Owen O’Brien led the initial charge. Kenwood, aiming to improve upon last year's 3-11 record, managed to equalize at 5-5 midway through the third quarter before Oak Forest's offensive surge.
O’Brien emerged as a standout player, scoring six goals and significantly shifting momentum in favor of Oak Forest. "I just knew I had to go big," said O’Brien. "I wanted to fight for a starting position, so I gave 100 percent."
Koleczek contributed five goals, including crucial scores late in the third quarter that initiated the Bengals' scoring run. "At the beginning, I wasn’t hot," he said. "But once I heard some talk, I got fired up."
Head coach Dan Maurer attributed the team's success to their offseason preparation and mutual trust. "They’ve been playing together for years," Maurer said. "They trust the individuals around them."
Despite efforts from Kenwood attacker Ty Shurtliff, who scored four goals, the Broncos were unable to maintain pace in the fourth quarter. Kenwood head coach Scott Johnson expressed his disappointment with their performance collapse. "To be tied at 5 and lose 18-5 is ridiculous," he said. "We have the pieces. We just need to be more committed."
Oak Forest aims to maintain their momentum throughout the season while Kenwood plans to regroup for their next game.