Highlanders drop two non-league matches
Piedmont High School’s boys lacrosse team dropped two contests to fall to 4-9 on the season.
On April 23, visiting University was dominant in a 9-2 victory. It could have been much worse. The Red Devils outshot the Highlanders, 28-14.
Connor Fredericks had both Piedmont goals. Gus von Metzsch had 13 saves.
William Stegall had three goals and three assists for University. Tucker Wright and Omar Williams each had two goals for the winners. Gavin Rader and Brooks Bijur had the other goals.
Piedmont’s Milo Stevenson looks to pass upfield during a 9-2 loss to University at Witter Field. 
Piedmont’s Connor Fredericks (10 white) looks for a way around University’s Fitz Brockway (10 red) and Tucker Wright in an April 23 game. 
Piedmont’s Alex Cantrill (33), Cash Panico (40) and Gus von Metzsch (25) form a defensive wall in a match against University on April 23 at Witter Field.
“Anytime that we’re turning the ball over and making the small mistakes that we’ve really moved past, it’s not going to go that great,” Highlanders coach Paul Pappas said. “I thought we weren’t moving that well off-ball, which was kind of killing us on our offense. We possessed the ball well, which I’m proud of, and we stuck together. But we can’t have it be an everybody watch one person play lacrosse team. It needs to be a cohesive unit.”
He was asked about the shot differential.
“That’s another thing that we’ve really been trying to work on especially when you look at the first half,” Pappas said. “We had four shots, they had 14 and that just can’t happen. We were lucky that Gus played well and kept it that close in the first half. But it’s going to catch up to you eventually.”
Pappas noted that the team still has the West Alameda County Conference playoffs and likely, a North Coast Section playoff berth after that. Piedmont is 3-1 in WACC play and will open the league playoffs April 30 with a home game against Bishop O’Dowd.
“It’s just about connecting those final pieces going into playoffs,” Pappas said. “We’re where we want to be. Today was a little bit of a setback but we are getting better each game. I’m proud of the boys for sticking together and sticking with it.”
Said Ian Nguyen, “I feel like this year was a really big improvement. We had so many new players. I feel like every single one improved. We’re definitely better than earlier and last year.”
Piedmont’s Timothy Kalamas (18) contemplates his next move in a 9-2 loss to University on April 23. The HIghlanders begin the WACC playoffs on April 30 at home against Bishop O’Dowd. 
Piedmont’s Brendan Devine (11) attacks against University’s Beau Brigden (22). The Highlanders lost in their final regular season home game, 9-2.
On April 25, Piedmont lost at Novato, 14-9. Brendan Devine had three goals for the Highlanders while P.J. Breyer had two goals and an assist. Quentin Shafroth, Ethan Alering and Nguyen had the other goals. Nguyen and Timmy Kalamas added assists. Von Metzsch had 18 saves.
Tyler Smith had five goals to lead the Hornets. Johnny Roman had four.