Mustangs get hat trick-happy against Rapids

For a couple of years now, it’s largely been the Daniel Lieb show when Monticello’s lacrosse team takes the field.

Turns out Lieb and first-year head coach Mat Kenney have found a few supporting actors to make things go a little smoother.

Lieb, freshman Sean Knightly and sophomore Trent Walker all piled up hat tricks against James River en route to a 14-10 Jefferson District

quarterfinal victory Friday night. The win sets up Monticello for a semifinal battle with Western Albemarle Tuesday night at Charlottesville High.

Knightly finished several crucial goals and did a good job of getting open all night around the cage.

“He’s going to be a good player and he’s already become a leader on this team, especially for the attack,” Lieb said. “He’s going to be the guy I’m looking to come Tuesday night.”

Lieb, who is bound for St. Joseph’s next year, also finished with three assists in the win.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 6-1 lead early on, and took a 9-5 advantage into the half. Monticello then withstood a second-half run by James River and attackman Thomas Cousins, who also had a hat trick.

“I think the defense started to get comfortable and sit back on their heels,” Kenney said. “Come Tuesday, they’re going to need to be 100 percent, there will be no time for drop-off on Tuesday.”

Western bounces back but falls to Collegiate

It appears that Western Albemarle’s blowout loss to St. Anne’s-Belfield last Tuesday was probably just a hiccup. The Warriors recovered to play Collegiate, one of the top programs in the state this year, close, falling 12-11 Friday night.

Quin Sweeney and Max Pfiefer both posted hat tricks in the win while Matt Galvin had a pair of goals.