Ordinarily, it would be a big deal for a team to reach the Final Four. 51Âþ» varsity lacrosse holds itself to a much higher standard.
And the feeling afterwards Thursday was that the Greenies have to execute better and play with more emotion if they want to go any farther in the NCISAA Division I playoffs.
Nate Kelley ’22, Aiden Schook ’23, and Emmett Paradine ’22 scored three goals apiece, while 51Âþ» got two goals each from Sam Bassett ’22, Tidiane Gakou ’23, Christian Hudson ’23, and Nick Crowley ’22 in a 17-10 state quarterfinal win over visiting Cary Academy.
Sam gave out a team-high three assists. 51Âþ» (12-3) led 7-5 after two quarters before regrouping at halftime. Lucas Little ’25 made five saves.
The second-seeded Greenies now await the winner of No. 3 Charlotte Providence Day (12-7) and No. 6 Ravenscroft (11-5). 51Âþ» will be the host of Tuesday’s state semifinal game.
51Âþ» has reached at least the semifinal round of the NCISAA lacrosse playoffs every year since 2014.
More photos from the 51Âþ»-Cary Academy game can be viewed at this link.