OPC and Rebels boys lax teams clash

Osseo/Park Center boys lacrosse hosted neighbors Champlin Park on May 20 in an eventual 19-2 Rebels win as both teams prepared for their coming section tournaments. OPC entered the game still looking for the second win of the season, while Champlin Park was looking to, and eventually did, extend its winning streak to seven games.

The Rebels picked up six goals in the first quarter, holding off several opportunities for OPC. The goals kept coming in the second quarter, including two for Gavin Bosch.

Bosch ended the day top scorer with eight goals for Champlin Park, continuing his sensational junior year. Austin Johnson was next up with three goals, while Brayden Strausser scored two and made six assists. Matthew Berge scored one goal and made four assists. Ryan Korton, Zarek Khokhar, Oliver Erickson, and Jared Zabel all scored one each.

Omar Knighten provided OPC with a moment to celebrate and a reflection of their hard work with a goal, scored after recovering a loose ball from a shot by Dominick Grubbs. Champlin Park led 13-1 at halftime.

Champlin Park made their victory clear with four goals in the third quarter and two early in the fourth, providing a reminder of why they have done so well in the tail end of the regular season.

The final six minutes of the game provided a positive run for OPC. The hosts’ defense held off further goals, showing good grit, while Grubbs scored a late goal to make it 19-2 and depart a heavy defeat with signs of progress.

Other results

Champlin Park ended last week and the regular season with a 14-4 win over Totino-Grace on May 22, featuring six goals from Bosch, three from Strausser, two from Johnson and Zabel, and one by Ryan Korton. Champlin Park entered sections 10-3 overall.

OPC also closed out the regular season, falling 17-3 on May 22 to Spring Lake Park on the road. OPC entered sections 1-12 overall.

Both teams will take part in the section tournaments next week, after this edition went to press. OPC will play in Section 5, while Champlin Park will play in Section 7.