By Jason Stephens
WSL Idaho Correspondent
EAGLE, Idaho – Sophomore middie Levi Reynolds registered a game-high five points on four goals and an assist to lead top-seeded Timberline to an 11-6 victory over second-seeded Centennial in the Treasure Valley Lacrosse League championship Saturday at Eagle High School.
Freshman attackman Andrew Rusin added four points on three goals and an assist, senior attackman Mitch Hawk scored twice and senior middie Alex Williams dished two assists to help the Wolves (20-4) win their 16th straight, snap Centennial's five-game winning streak and remain undefeated against Idaho competition.
With the victory, Timberline advanced to the second-annual Idaho state championship game. The Wolves will face North Idaho Lacrosse League champion Lake City at Eagle High School next Saturday, May 23, at 2 p.m., MDT.
Timberline won its first TVLL title since 2005, breaking Centennial’s three-year run.
“I've been here for three years,” Timberline head coach Tom Blanchard said. “If I could pick any team to win this game with, it'd be this team. We've got one game left now. We're confident in ourselves, and tonight we definitely came here wanting the win.”
In defeat, junior middie Dallin Wilkes and senior attackman Zach Hall each scored two goals and dished an assist for the Patriots, who finished the season 15-3.
Senior middie Kyle Olsen posted two points on a goal and an assist, and senior middie Colin Ryan added a goal for Centennial, which trailed by seven in the second half before coming back to make it a two-goal game in the fourth quarter.
“My guys played hard today,” Centennial head coach John Andrysiak said. “But it wasn't in the cards for us today. We came back in the second half and played till the end, which is all I can ask for as a coach.”
With Timberline leading 8-1 in the third quarter, Centennial went on a five-goal run to come within two. Ryan scored with 5:33 remaining in regulation to pull the Patriots within, 8-6.
But Timberline finished the game on a three-goal run, a run capped by Reynolds, who made it 11-6 with 3:13 to play.
“This has been the greatest game of my life,” Reynolds said. “I love playing with these guys. Saturday won't be as nearly as good of a game as today. The win was simply amazing.”