Whitman lacrosse took their second divisional victory of the season this Friday with a 5-3 victory over the Walter Johnson Wildcats.

Beating WJ for the first time in five years, the Vikes are hoping the late season momentum they got in the last two wins will help carry them to a successful playoff run.

The Vikings offense was led by Alex Hilsenrath who had two goals, and a goal each from Jim Champagne and Jake Gray. Goalie Colin Hains even joined in, pressing up field against a penalized Wildcats defense scoring a goal.

The Vikings had another strong defensive outing limiting the normally offensively productive Wildcats to just 3 points.

Hains once again demonstrated his dominance at the goalie position with a commanding performance in front of the net with several clutch saves.  Head Coach Mike Ricucci considers Hains one of the best players on the team this season.

“[Hains is] hands down the best goalie in the county,” Ricucci said.

The Wildcats, who have had a strong 6-4 season were favored to win over the Vikings, having blown out several divisional opponents before, including a 13-7 victory over B-CC.  However, the Vikes’ solid defense and shutdown goal keeping were able to quell the WJ offense most of the game.

According to Hilsenrath, Whitman, whose eyes are now on the playoffs, is hoping to use the final weeks of the season in preparation.  “We just gotta focus on perfecting our offense and defense and getting ready for playoffs,” he said.