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Thursday, April 20 -- Jefferson Forest came from behind to claim a nailbiting 8-7 win over Rockbridge County High School in a boys lacrosse matchup in Lexington.
Dany Nguyen's man-up goal from a Chase Ripley assist with 2:00 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference for the Cavaliers (5-5), who overcame a 6-4 deficit in the final six minutes to stun the Wildcats (3-4).
Andrew Kelly tallied a game-high five points on two goals and three assists for RC, and the freshman midfielder also won 11-of-18 faceoffs. Alex Nye bagged a hat trick for the Wildcats, and Jack Jensen made 10 saves.
Spencer Sloan recorded two goals and one assist for JF, while Nguyen and Easton Tanner chipped in two goals apiece and Ethan Cook totaled 12 saves.
Neither team led by more than a single goal across the first three quarters. The game was tied at 4-4 entering the final frame, but John Brooke's extra-man marker and a goal from Kelly put RC ahead 6-4 with 8:40 remaining.
Trent Ripley started the Cavaliers' rally at the 5:51 mark, and Thax Rowland knotted the score at 6-6 with 4:13 to go. The Wildcats were called for a penalty after the game-tying goal, but Kelly won a clean faceoff and fed Jayden Layman for a man-down goal that gave RC a 7-6 lead at the 4:03 mark.
Tanner pulled JF even again with 3:13 left, and Nguyen put the Cavaliers ahead for good with 120 seconds to play.
RC had several chances down the stretch, including a crease-roll look for Nye with 15 seconds left. But his shot bounced off the body of Cook, and JF was able to run out the clock.
The Wildcats will travel to Patrick Henry on Monday, with the junior varsity game slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.
