MARIETTA - Lassiter knew Westminster was going to give it an early-season lacrosse challenge Saturday afternoon, but the Trojans' true test of character came in the last 7:23 following an 80-minute lightning delay.

The Trojans needed to hold on to their one-goal lead against the defending state champion during that time frame and did so effectively, preserving an 8-6 victory over the Wildcats at Frank Fillmann Stadium, avenging Lassiter's loss to Westminster in last year's state championship.

Blake McCollister gave Lassiter the cushion it needed with 1:04 remaining in the fourth quarter when he scored on an assist by Hank Ellwood.

This win was Lassiter's first over Westminster in three seasons and the first for Trojans coach Pete Manderano. After suffering a 14-2 loss to Alpharetta last Wednesday, the Trojans needed the win for confidence.

"The guys played 100 times better than we did Wednesday against Alpharetta," Manderano said. "We were hustling and being patient with the ball and that gave us a lot of opportunities. We're getting better, we're improving, but we got a lot of work to do."

McCollister, David Banik and Andrew Wachsler scored two goals each for Lassiter (5-2). Griffin Roelle and Jordan Shreiner scored one apiece, and Carter Sechrest dished out four assists. Goalkeeper Michael Axford finished with 10 saves.

The lightning delay, combined with a tornado warning, made continuing the game unlikely, which meant Lassiter would have won, 6-5, if the game were called, game officials said. The Trojans needed to stay focused, knowing that a quick Westminster goal would change the course of the game if play resumed.

"We talked about the game in the locker room and what we needed to do," Ellwood said. "We haven't beaten Westminster in (three) years and lost to them in the state championship. A lot of guys wanted it."

The Wildcats did strike quickly when play resumed, tying the game, 6-6, with 6:34 left, but Lassiter's desire to upend Westminster remained. They quickly got the ball back, waited for open looks, and Banik scored on Lassiter's second shot attempt off a McCollister pass with 5:23 left to regain the lead.

Lassiter then spent the next 4 minutes thwarting aggressive shot attempts by Westminster.

Axford made a critical save with 3:56 left. Westminster's Scott Dunleavie had an open attempt a minute later that sailed high. John Maxwell took a shot that missed right before the Trojans regained possession.

Lassiter's victory was sealed when Ellwood checked the ball away from the Wildcats, broke down field, and fed it to an open McCollister for its final goal.

"You never know how they're going to come out (after a delay)," Manderano said. "Westminster got a quick one but we had to get them to relax and think about what they had to do. Our defensive (midfielders) were playing great defense and were where they were supposed to be."

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