MARIETTA - Andrew Wachsler is looking for a happy ending to his Lassiter lacrosse career.

The senior midfielder was an eighth-grader when the Trojans won their first and only outright state championship in 2006 - they shared a title with Lovett in '04 - and he's the only player on the current roster when Lassiter came up short against Westminster the following season.

After the Trojans came up short in the previous two postseasons - falling to Lovett in the '08 quarterfinals and to Harrison in the semifinals last season - Wachsler is ready to help them close the deal.

Lassiter (17-4) will contend for its second individual state title, and third overall, tonight when the Trojans battle Milton (17-4) for the Class AAAAA crown at Frank Fillmann Stadium.

"This year, we want to end it the way we should," Wachsler said. "We've waited for this a long time."

Wachsler said the 2010 Lassiter team might not be the most talented team when it comes to individuals, but they make up for it by playing scrappy. It's Lassiter's scrappiness that's helped the Trojans win the close battles against some of the state's best teams.

Lassiter has three one-goal wins this season, with one coming against the same Milton it will line up against tonight.

Now Lassiter will have to find a way to beat the Eagles a second time. Coach Pete Manderano said Milton has players who can score and move swiftly with or without the ball. He also said Milton can transition well from offense to defense and vice versa.

If Lassiter's 13-7 win over Northview in Tuesday's state semifinal is any indication, the Trojans have the manpower to win against Milton and hoist another championship trophy. Lassiter dominated the fourth quarter to beat Northview after edging the Titans by one goal during the regular season.

"In past years, I would be concerned about the close games, but these guys fight hard and don't give up" Manderano said. "The Northview game could have gone south really quick."

Lassiter would prefer not to be in a dogfight against Milton. The Trojans' key to the game will be getting off to a faster start than it did against Northview. They were sluggish in the first half against the Titans and trailed by three goals in the second quarter before rallying.

Milton may be a little more stubborn if Lassiter should fall behind early.

"We either need to slow them down or get started quickly," Manderano said. "I won't panic if we get into an early hole, but it will be difficult for us to come back."

What inspires this year's Lassiter team the most, Manderano said, is having different players step in almost every game.

Some occasions, it's been Cole Branch or Drew Sechrest making the game-changing plays. Both scored three goals against Northview, doing most of their scoring in the second half.

In other games, it's been Wachsler, Tucker Hammock or goalkeeper Zach Weaver coming through. Weaver was also big against Northview, coming up with 12 saves, with eight coming in the last 24 minutes.