In a quirk of scheduling this spring, Hopkins and Hamden Hall opened league play against each other, instead of finishing the season as opponents. Last year’s game was a one-sided affair but the Hornets young players from a year ago have grown up and the team added some quality players, as well. In addition, they already had dangerously athletic middie Corey Millhouse. Going in, then, this shaped up to be a pretty even contest and that’s exactly what happened. The Hilltoppers scored first, Stephen Mettler tallying the first of his 6 on the day. But the Hornets answered and led 3-1 at the end of a period. The visitors rebounded to the tune of 4-3 in the second, as the two squads exchanged goals. Down 1 at the intermission, Hopkins never worried and instead committed to more productive efforts at each end of the field while maintaining the intensity of the first half. Within a minute senior mid Riley Kesselring got the first of his 2- he played the best game of his career to date- and Hopkins ran off four in a row, all assisted, to lead 9-6. Hamden Hall answered with a couple before the end of the period, leaving the visitors up one heading to the fourth. When The Hornets got two within two minutes, they regained the lead. Hopkins answered to tie it but Hamden Hall scored almost immediately after to go back in front halfway through the stanza. With five minutes left, Alex Hughes and Mettler each got one and then senior Jackson Quinn put the nail in the coffin with his second of the day. There was still time, it seemed, for Hamden Hall but the defense rose to the task, as they had during the game. Captain Mitchell Patton, junior Ben Elbaum and senior Tom Coughlin at close defense and senior Julian Markese and LSM Miles Lourenco thwarted any scoring attempts and sophomore goaltender Chris Sherk- 16 saves on the day- stopped those that got through. A groundball created by Elbaum with only a few seconds left sealed the deal. This was a terrific, high quality lacrosse game for early in the season with two teams going at it hammer and tongs. In the end, a total team effort carried the day. Patton and Quinn received game balls but really accepted them on behalf of their teammates.