Eldridge gets first win as Blue Devils stop Mavericks

Fork Union lacrosse coach Houston Eldridge, an assistant for 10 years at the Academy, notched his first victory in season one as head coach on Thursday, as his Blue Devils withstood a valiant comeback from the Miller School to prevail 11-5.
“Our skill level has improved, and today we were finally able to put it together offensively and defensively,” Eldridge said following the win.
Fork Union (1-5) built an early 2-0 advantage after the first quarter, and then followed that up with three more goals in the second to lead 5-0 at halftime.
The Blue Devils were led by senior attackman Cody Wright, who scored thirty seconds into the second half to extend the Blue Devils’ advantage to six. Miller (1-4) refused to go quietly, scoring four straight goals over the remainder of the third quarter to cut the lead to 6-4.
All four goals during the Miller run came from seniors - two from Tim White and one each from Peyton Bertwell and Dylan Lindbeck.
“We’re not used to being ahead,” Eldridge explained. “Our guys were getting tired and we had to have a little talk; it was ‘how bad did they want it.’ It was about heart - they had to find it.”
His team responded, scoring five more goals in the final period to come away with the win on the road.
“It was a tough loss,” said Miller head coach Chris Ross, “but the kids stepped up in the third quarter. We’re very happy that they didn’t give up and that they raised their level of play.”
An objective on the season for Eldridge’s squad has been winning the all-important ground ball battle, which the Devils did convincingly against the Mavericks. Eldridge attributes that success to his team’s work ethic.
Wright, who had three goals and an assist, plays linebacker for the football team, and is Eldridge’s definition of the kind of fighter that is needed to lead his team to more wins in the future.
“Cody Wright is a beast,” Eldridge explained. “Unfortunately, he’s had several concussions because he just really, really fights. He’s probably one of the best kids on campus. He leads by action, he doesn’t talk a lot, he just does what has to be done, and does what’s right which is the best kind of leader.”
Taylor Spruill and freshman Nathan Crafford each had two goals for FUMA, while Crafford added two assists. Jake Hamilton also had three helpers.
Ross’ senior-laden Mavericks, led by Lindbeck, White and Bertwell, provided a lift in the third, and Ross hopes the trio continues to shoot the ball more and improve their offensive production throughout the season, starting in their next game against Covenant on Tuesday.
“They do tend to move the ball well together, especially on give-and-gos, so of course we want to get the ball to them,” Ross said. “Our goal for the rest of the season is to keep raising our level of play, and we feel that we did that today.”
Eldridge will be looking to capture win number two against Trinity Episcopal on Thursday at 4 p.m.