By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – To be the best you have to play the best.

And learn from the best.

With having a very young sports program in boys lacrosse, the MIfflin County squad is learning on fly as they play a very tough 2023 schedule, teaching the fresh faces on the Husky team as they go as they take on all comers, no matter the record.

“You could see them gaining confidence throughout the game,” said MIfflin County coach Anthony Everly. “We scored two goals. Twice as many as we had scored all year long. By far our best game I think.”

On Tuesday, the MIfflin County boys lacrosse team took to the field to go head-to-head with perennial power Danville in a non-conference battle.

“I believe they (Danville) won the league last year,” said Everly. “They beat a couple people this year that have beat us worse than they beat us today. We’re headed in the right direction.”

The Huskies battled after falling behind early as they continue to hone their basic skills and talents as a young inexperienced team usually does.

In the end, the returning District champion, Ironmen came out with the victory.

However, there were positive signs for the Huskies crew.

Mifflin County took the first drive downfield a cross check penalty gave the Huskies the early man advantage.

However, the Huskies were only able to get one shot off before the power play ended.

Ty Stauffer got the scoring started off of a pass from Cameron Kiersch as Danville scored early,1-0.

Tested very often, MIfflin County goalie Aidan Berich finished with 20 saves.

Early on, Ironman Carter Heath stared down Berich and sent a blast that Berich stopped sending him back empty handed, keeping it just a 1-0 advantage.

Defensively, the Huskies were tough early on, despite Danville’s fast moving offense.

Danville made it a 2-0 game when  Gabe Petrus sent a laser shot from the middle.

Off the face off Danville drove ball into the Huskies’ circle.

The Ironmen would rope a third goal forcing a MIfflin County time out.

From there the Huskies would stand tall, allowing just three in the first quarter. When the two went into the second, Danville led 3-0.

Mifflin County got on the board when Dreyson Weaver drove down the field and took it right to the heart of the circle and sent it home, cutting it to a 3-1 contest

But after two consecutive goals by Danville, MIfflin County got back on the board again on a one-hop shot by Gabriel Yoder, making it a 5-2 game as midway through the second.

Offensively, Danville started to heat up the rest of the quarter as it finished with four en route to the Ironmen lead of 10-2.

In the second half, Danville continued its hot shooting posting seven more.

It’s defense was stifling in the half, keeping the scrappy Huskies off the board.

In JV action, the Huskies defeated Danville 2-1. Picking up goals for the Huskies were Austin Mannino and Vann Rogers.

Mifflin County travels to Bellefonte Thursday.