The potential hidden in their 1-1 start to the season has now burst into view for the Rye High School boys lacrosse team, which went on to win four of its next five games.

The quick march to a 5-2 record began April 9 with Mercer Island High School, which for the past decade has journeyed from the state of Washington to the northeastern U.S. in pursuit of stiff competition. Rye was happy to oblige, as five different Garnets scored and junior goalkeeper Ty Ramachandran had 10 saves. Rye won 5-4.

Two days later, Lakeland-Walter Panas visited Rye’s Nugent Stadium from nearby northwest Westchester and was soundly defeated 6-1. Freshman Garrett Sullivan scored two goals and freshman Wilson Redd dominated play at the face-off circle, winning nine of 11 draws.

Rye next traveled to Katonah to play John Jay Cross River in a likely preview of the region’s Section 1 Class C finals. The April 16 game lived up to its billing and was closely contested throughout, the score tied 9-9 with two minutes remaining. Sophomore Carson Miller then quickly scored to give Rye the lead, which they did not relinquish, winning 11-9. Junior Tucker Hess had his best game of the season, with four goals. Sophomore Henry Shoemaker had three goals and two assists, while junior Tyler McDermott contributed two goals.

Rye returned to Nugent Stadium two days later to play the Mamaroneck Tigers. The Garnets were flat in the first half, unable to match the Tigers’ intensity, and were down 8-3 at halftime. Rye’s play improved significantly in the second half, but their rally fell short and they lost 9-7. Senior Tripp Redd and Miller each scored two goals.

Another two days later, and Rye was back at Nugent to face an undefeated Shenendehowa High School, which made the trip from Section 2 in upstate New York sporting a 7-0 record. The Plainsmen led 12-7 late in the third quarter and looked to send the Garnets to their second straight defeat. But the Garnets dug deep and went on an 8-2 run to win 15-14 at the finish on a tie-breaking goal by Hess, who finished with three goals and two assists. McDermott had four goals and two assists; Sullivan added two goals; and in his varsity debut, eighth-grader Will Niejadlik contributed a goal and two assists.

As the season progresses, and given the team’s record of excellence, Rye’s boys lacrosse has made one thing abundantly clear: The Garnets can be expected to bring their A-game every night. Upcoming games include: 5 p.m. Friday, April 26, at home vs. Section 8 opponent Cold Spring Harbor Jr./Sr. High from Long Island, and 5 p.m., on April 30, away at Yorktown High.