New Trier Boys Lacrosse: Parks Powers Trevians Past Evanston

New Trier’s early-season games against out-of-state foes are designed to prepare them for another deep postseason run. Although teams in the CSL might not be as talented, their deeper knowledge of the Trevian roster still makes each game a challenge.

Evanston slowed down the pace and worked patiently on offense during a cold and windy game on Thursday night at Evanston’s Lazier Field. The Wildkits held New Trier scoreless for the first 11 minutes of the game, but Mick Parks took control and New Trier never looked back in a 10-2 victory over the Wildkits.

“We came out flat,” New Trier coach Tom Herrala said. “It’s a little to be expected after the big win on Friday against Brother Rice, and it’s cold.”

Taking advantage of an Evanston penalty, Parks scored the first of his three consecutive goals for New Trier with a minute to go in the first quarter. Four minutes later, the Virginia-bound senior beat his defender one-on-one and finished with an easy shot to the top shelf.

New Trier managed only four goals in the first half despite having a large discrepancy in shot attempts and time of possession. It seemed as if more Trevian shots hit goalposts rather than the back of the net. Evanston goalie Nick Reinberg came up huge for the Wildkits with a number of key stops on point-blank shots.

“We talked about it at half, just keep shooting,” Herrala said. “Just gotta keep firing. Shoot for the back of the net, shoot for space.”

Whether it was bad luck or the offense seeming a bit out of rhythm, New Trier’s defense was still stifling and kept Evanston off the scoreboard in the first half. Goalie Jack Connelly was rarely tested, but made a couple of nice saves on long shots from Evanston attackers.

Parks opened the scoring in the second half with his fourth goal of the game, this one coming off a nice feed from senior Robbie Marren for an easy goal.

The Trevians recorded six goals in the second half, but Parks knows the team still has work to do.

“Everyone’s eager to get in there and shoot and score,” Parks said. “That’s good to some extent, but sometimes we’re taking shots from bad angles and we just need to make that extra pass to get the lay-in.”

Senior Chad Sawyer, New Trier’s all-time leading scorer, is still easing his way back into the offense and scored two goals against Evanston.

Tyler Schmarack, Ben Miller and Rory McGinnis also had goals for the Trevians.

New Trier hosts Lyons Township on Saturday in a non-conference matchup.

“We always try and play our game,” Herrala said. “If we execute and play our offense well and our defense then hopefully at the end we’ll be victorious.”