Speaking
of Sports 

by
Lance J. Lilla

 
Novi Varsity Lacrosse
steps it up for playoffs

May 29, 2012

"No matter how many goals you have achieved, you must set your sights on a higher one."
  - Jessica Savitch

Time and time again we may fail. Time and time again we may succeed. Regardless of the outcome, we must always work to be better than who we were before we began. For if we do not, we will never win, even if we have won.

The Novi Boys Varsity Lacrosse team recently went to war with Ann Arbor Skyline. The game was like any other, except for one detail. It was the first round of the playoffs. For some, this single detail may change nothing. For others, the seniors on the squad specifically, this single detail changes everything. The end result in a playoff game could determine whether an athlete's high school career ends forever, or continues on into another battlefield, against another opponent.

With that in mind, the 'Cats seemed to have given it everything they had giving themselves a 6-0 lead in the first quarter alone.

Though, soon after, Skyline appeared to have noticed that an end to their season was swiftly approaching had they not done anything to stop it, so, things started to change. Skyline quickly began to pull it together and shorten the gap. Novi lax was a bit too relaxed when Skyline turned it up to full throttle, leaving their guard down and their net open, the situation suddenly became much less favorable for the 'Cats.

At this juncture, Novi was forcefully knocked back into the game after momentarily losing focus and reclaimed a comfortable lead. In the end, without lack of effort, Ann Arbor's attempts were simply not enough. The Novi Wildcats walked off the field of their season's first playoff game victorious, winning 12-7.

Knowing that this is the last first playoff game ever for the seniors, I spoke with senior captain Adam Haynes to acquire a better understanding of how it felt. Haynes remarked that "even though I [he] know it could end any moment now, I [he] try my best to just focus on the game and making this season last as long as possible."

Also, in regards to the win, Haynes added that "winning in the playoffs is unlike any feeling throughout the season, this is when it really matters, this is when it really motivates us to be the best we can be."

Goal 1: win 1st round of playoffs. Check. Goal 2: win 2nd round of playoffs. To be determined.

Hopefully the 'Cats newfound motivation will push them to become better than they once were and deeper into the playoffs along with it.

Round two is scheduled to take place this evening, Tuesday, May 29th against Birmingham-Seaholm.

(c) 2012 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org