The Piedmont High School boys lacrosse team rallied in the second half of a match against Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park at Witter Field on April 2 but came up short, 7-4.
The Highlanders fell behind 6-0 in the first half but came to life after the break.
“We laid it on the line for the seniors and we put our heart into it and collected our grit and our brotherhood at the half and we only let one goal in in the second half,” Piedmont assistant coach Ryan Horn said. “We were excited about our effort. Our defense played really well in the second half.”
Connor Fredericks, Milo Stevenson, Timmy Kalamas and Patrick Brayer scored for the Highlanders. Fredericks’s goal early in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 6-3. But Jerrek Buckley set up Liam Perkett with five minutes, 36 seconds to go in the game to give the Cougars an insurance goal. Brayer scored with 1:15 remaining but it was too late to threaten Rancho Cotate. Piedmont fell to 4-5 on the season.
“I think it took a second for us to warm up and realize that we were still in this fight,” Kalamas said. “Be in the game a little bit more that we were in the first half.” Declan Perkett scored three for the Cougars. Liam Perkett had two while Tyler Green and Ryan Davis each scored once. Green and Liam Perkett had assists as well.
Rancho Cotate goalkeeper Dakota Weaver had several strong saves in the first half and finished with six. Luke McAulliffe had five saves for Piedmont.
Jax Edward Thayer plays defense 
Timmy Kalamas (18) turns on Jerrek Buckley (19) with Milo Stevenson (13) in back 
Quentin Shafroth (white) battles Tyler Green on draw 
Patrick Brayer looks to an official after getting knocked down
On March 27, the Highlanders fell to visiting Casa Grande-Petaluma, 17-10. Kalamas had six goals and two assists to lead Piedmont. Fredericks had a goal and three assists. Stevenson, Quentin Shafroth and Ian Nguyen had goals for the Highlanders while Gianluca Richmond and Teddy Cordani notched assists.
Phoenix Smith had nine goals and an assist for the Gauchos. Ameet Bains had three goals and two assists while Logan Wadleigh had two goals and an assist. Rowyn Fisher also had two goals. Peyton Howe had the other goal.
Piedmont is off until April 17 when it will play at Bishop O’Dowd.