The varsity boys lacrosse team returned from their winter break trip and hosted Newnan Tuesday night. After winning one game and losing another in Florida, the Panthers defeated the Cougars in dominant fashion 17-3.

“I felt like we did pretty good, the past few games we have been moving a little bit too fast trying to get into transition,” junior Conor Stone said. “This game we slowed it down and worked on offense.”

Junior Josh Murdock and sophomore Henry Pettit each scored three goals in the contest.

“I think just slowing it down and using that offensively to score those goals was the best way to do it,” Stone said.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, scoring six goals in the opening quarter of play..  Murdock had two of those goals.

The offensive production continued throughout the second quarter. Starr’s Mill was up 13-1 at halftime.

“We just got to get more comfortable in the offense,” head coach Jeff Schmidlkofer said. “We have got seven out of ten starters from last year’s team, our semi-final team, and it is just going to take some time.”

Newnan scored early in the second quarter after running the ball straight down the field after a face off. Then, they later scored twice during the third quarter. 

Although the Panthers struggled with turnovers, they kept a solid defense and kept the lead the entire time.

The loss is now the fourth in a row for Newnan. For Starr’s Mill it is the team’s second win in a row after defeating Bartram Trail 7-4 on February 22.

“I think we are trying to force it too much,” Stone said. “If we slowed it down that could lower turnovers completely and help us win and go far in the playoffs.”

Starr’s Mill returns to the field tonight as they host Pace Academy in a junior varsity and varsity doubleheader. The varsity game starts at 7:45 p.m.