MUS Sports News

Senior Captains Stand Out In Lacrosse Win In Nashville

The varsity lacrosse team improved to 8-3 overall following a hard-fought 13-12 victory over mid-state rival MBA in Nashville last Thursday night.

The game was close throughout as neither team held more than a three-goal lead.

With the score tied at 2 at the end of the first quarter, MBA took the lead with two early second-quarter goals. However, the Owls retook the lead by scoring five consecutive goals to take the 7-4 lead.

But the Big Red closed the gap before the half by scoring two late goals to cut the MUS advantage to 8-7 at the end of the half.

MBA regained the advantage early in the third quarter with two goals to give them a 9-8 lead. But senior captain Buck Towner's goal with 55 seconds remaining in the stanza tied the score once again headed into the fourth.

With the score tied at 10, Towner struck again with 10:26 left in the game to give the Owls the lead once again.

But the hosts would not give up as they scored two goals in a five-minute span to retake the lead at 12-11 with five minutes to go.

However, MUS would not lose on this evening.

Franklin Martin's goal tied the game with 4:07 left. Then goalie Jason Daniel, another senior captain, preserved the tie with an outstanding save as an MBA player had a breakaway opportunity. Unfortunately, Daniel was penalized going for the rebound and was sent to the penalty box with just over two minutes remaining. But reserve goalie Kyle Lucas was ready for the opportunity as he and the other defenders refused to let MBA score again.

Then the third senior captain, Stephen Bowie, gave the Owls the lead for good as he scored an unassisted goal with just under 1:30 remaining to clinch the victory.

Several players had standout performances to aid in this win. Towner tallied four goals, while Bowie notched three goals and an assist and Martin also scored three goals. Other Owls to score included Kent Francis, Barry Hillyer, and Patrick Stewart, all with one goal apiece. 

Hoping to build off the momentum of the triumph, MUS next takes on Houston this evening on Hull-Dobbs Field. Opening faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Lacrosse Team Spends Spring Break In Florida

Over Spring Break, the varsity lacrosse team traveled to Orlando, Florida, via Nashville and Chattanooga to participate in Disney’s Wide World of Sports Spring Training, a competition featuring lacrosse teams from across the country.

During this span, the Owls played in five official games and one scrimmage, finishing the week 2-3 overall.

MUS first traveled to Nashville to play Ravenwood.  The Owls started slowly and never could garner any offensive momentum as they lost to an experienced Raptor squad, 7-2.

MUS then moved down I-24 to Chattanooga the next day to battle rival McCallie. The team played better on this day, but the Blue Tornado was too much for MUS as the Owls fell to 0-2 with the 10-5 setback.

After the McCallie loss, the team was ready to get to Orlando and not only play in the beautiful Florida weather, but also enjoy the amenities of Orlando. 

The Owls won their first game of the year in game three as they took an 8-3 victory over St. John’s School from Houston, Texas. Captains Stephen Bowie and Buck Towner led the way, each scoring two goals.

Later that day, MUS tried to win their second consecutive game against a Texas school as they went up against The Kinkaid School from Houston. Despite a good effort, the Owls fell just short, losing 7-6 in overtime to the Falcons.

In the last official game in Orlando, MUS took on The Bishop’s School from La Jolla, California. In a high-scoring contest, the Owls were victorious, taking the 10-9 victory to move their record to 2-3.

The team did play a scrimmage on March 12 against The Hun School from Princeton, New Jersey, as many younger Owls got valuable playing time and experience. Though they suffered a 9-5 loss, the younger players got opportunities. 

Senior goalie Jason Daniel played very well throughout the trip as he kept some strong offensive teams in check, giving MUS opportunities in each game. 

The Owls will next take the field in their home opener this Wednesday, March 21, against Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School. Opening faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Hull-Dobbs Field.

Lax Team Heads to Nashville

The MUS varsity lacrosse team concludes their season this weekend as they head to Nashville to participate in the state tournament. The state includes Tennessee's top four teams: MBA, MUS, Ravenwood, and McCallie, whom the Owls play in the semifinals on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.

So far this year, the Owls (12-6) have battled extremely tough competition and have come out with some key wins.

After having endured four consecutive losses in the middle of the year, three of which were one-goal setbacks, the Owls rebounded and generated some great momentum heading into state by winning their last three games.

Coach Dent's squad dominated during the stretch, defeating University School of Nashville, 20-3; a strong Montgomery Bell Academy team, 10-8; and rival CBHS, 15-11.

Offensively, MUS has been led by senior Doug Boyer, who leads the team in points (goals and assists) and goals. Junior Buck Towner and sophomore Patrick Stewart also are team leaders in points.

Additionally, MUS has gotten impressive help offensively over the last three games by some younger players as well, like sophomores Kent Francis and Conor Bolich.

Defensively, the Owls have played solidly during this stretch as they halted the impressive attack of MBA in an April 22 win.

The Owls have been led by senior Garrott McClintock, who leads the team in loose balls and takeaways.

In addition to McClintock, John Klinke, Boyer, and Towner all have placed consistently and rank high in defensive categories.

Seniors Zach Matthews and Blake Karban, sophomores Scott McClintock and Ben Arnold, and freshman Barry Hillyer also have been solid defenders and place in the top-five of many defensive categories, including faceoffs and intercepts. And Goalie Jason Daniel has also fared very well over the last three games.

MUS hopes to bring back the state title to Memphis and continue their dominance in the state tournament. If MUS defeats McCallie on Friday, they will advance to the finals to take on the winner of Ravenwood-MBA on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Lacrosse Getting Ready For Playoff Time

With a mere five games remaining in the regular season for the 2006 varsity lacrosse team, Coach Dent's squad has battled some of the best competition in the South as they prepare for the TSLA playoffs, to be held at MBA in Nashville the second weekend of May.

Currently, the Owls sport a 7-5 record, which is unusual for one of the most dominant programs in the area. But a closer look at the record shows that three of the five losses were one-goal setbacks, and the competition that the Owls have faced has been outstanding, battling powers from Georgia, Ohio, Texas, and New York, including top teams from Tennessee, in various tournaments and invitationals.

Offensively, MUS has been led by senior Doug Boyer, who leads the team in points (goals and assists) and goals. Boyer is followed in points by junior Buck Towner; sophomore Patrick Stewart, who also leads the team in assists; and senior John Klinke.

Senior Aaron Khouri, Klinke, and Towner have also been consistent threats scoring goals as they are all tied for second in goals scored, behind Boyer. 

Defensively, the Owls are led by senior Garrott McClintock, who leads the team in loose balls and takeaways. In addition to McClintock, Boyer, Klinke, and Towner, who have all placed consistently high in defensive categories, seniors Zach Matthews and Blake Karban, sophomores Scott McClintock and Ben Arnold, and freshman Barry Hillyer also have been solid defenders and place in the top-five of many defensive categories, including faceoffs and intercepts.

And in goal, junior Jason Daniel has become one of the top goalies in the state as he has logged most of the time for the Owls.

After having competed in an invitational last weekend in Chattanooga, MUS will have some time to practice and adjust as they will not play again until April 19 in a contest against Houston, a squad they beat earlier in the year, 12-6.

Lacrosse Team Now 2-1

The MUS lacrosse team has done very well this season, winning 2 of 3 games so far.  After a solid first win during Spring Break, they split their next two games against CBHS and Neuqua Valley (IL).

On March 23, the Owls played at CBHS and unfortunately lost, 9-7.  Senior Sam Sawyer led the Owls with three goals and one assist while Randall Noel picked up two goals himself.  Dan Gibson and Cooper Hopkins also each had a goal.  Tyler Samuels led CBHS, scoring three goals.

Then one week later, MUS pummeled their Illinois visitors, 17-3, as many got significant playing time.

The Owls will again play at home on Friday against McCallie, and they travel to Atlanta on Saturday to play Lassiter.

Lacrosse Team Off To A Great Start

The varsity lacrosse team started off their season in Orlando over Spring Break, winning their only regulation game and playing well in several scrimmages in Florida.

Before the trip, the Owls scrimmaged MBA at home in preparation for the season, winning 12-6 as MUS played well against the mid-state rival.

Then in Florida, the Owls began with two scrimmages against The Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey, winning both, 12-5 and 14-2.  MUS then opened the regular season against Lake Howell (FL) at the Disney Wide World of Sports, winning 17-2.  The Owls opened strong as they grabbed the early lead, an advantage that gave everyone some playing time, including the six freshman players on the team.  Altogether, the coaches and players enjoyed the trip and played very well.

The Owls will next play at CBHS on March 23 at 7:00, and at home against Neuqua Valley from Illinois on the 30th.