On Friday night, Berlin boys lacrosse won the first game of their season against Big Walnut with a score of 5-4. 

   After a big loss to a district rival, Liberty, just the Wednesday before, the Bears were in need of a redemption win.

   The Bears opened the game fast with a quick score from senior Liam Doneyhue to set the Bears up 1-0. Shortly after, sophomore Tyler Grau followed up Doneyhue’s ‘26 score with a goal of his own to put the Bears up 2-0.

   To start the second quarter, Big Walnut striked back with a goal from freshman Jackson Willms, and set the score at 2-1. After a Berlin score from senior Lheo Gonzalez and Big Walnut’s Madden Moore ‘27, the two teams went into half tied at three.

   Big Walnut came out of halftime lightning fast, as Kayden Miller ‘27 scored for the Eagles in the first two minutes of the quarter, which put Big Walnut ahead by one.

    Big Walnut’s Andrew Hunt ‘27 set Big Walnut up by two to start the fourth quarter, but the Bears’ defense would hold the Eagles the rest of the game. After two goals by senior Braylon Lopez, another goal by Grau, and a strong defensive performance in the late fourth quarter, the Bears walked out of Big Walnut with a win 5-4.

   With Gonzalez’s goal, and Grau’s two goals on Friday night, they tie for the lead in goals with two.

   The Bears are now sitting at 0.500, at 1-1, and will play their home opener on Tuesday, March 24, against Westerville North at 7 p.m.