Boys lacrosse takes down North Allegheny at Panzer Stadium

Byline photo of Dennis Thawng

Dennis Thawng, Staff Writer

April 5, 2026

Junior Luke Ladrido maintains focus amidst the contact at Penn State’s turf. Ladrido’s ability to maintain his ground against the physicality of the Tigers was a testament to the Little Lions' toughness throughout the game.

Junior Luke Ladrido maintains focus amidst the contact at Penn State’s turf. Ladrido’s ability to maintain his ground against the physicality of the Tigers was a testament to the Little Lions’ toughness throughout the game.

Junior Charlie Ladrido hunts for an opening as he carries the ball toward the net at Penn State’s field. Facing a tight defensive matchup in a close game, Ladrido stayed focused on his offensive role. “All I was thinking of was getting past my defender to either set myself up for a goal or set one of my guys up for a goal,” Ladrido said. (Dennis Thawng)

Sophomore Aaron Brushwood carries the ball into the offensive zone during the Little Lions matchup on the Penn State turf. Playing at Panzer Stadium offered a “different environment” with a “bigger crowd” than a typical high school field. “It was definitely a different environment… you’re playing at Penn State Stadium, which is a little bit different,” Brushwood said. (Dennis Thawng)

Junior Grant Baron battles a defender to maintain control of the ball during a high-pressure transition at Panzer Stadium. (Dennis Thawng)

Senior Brody Downs directs the defense during a possession at Panzer Stadium. As the veteran anchor of the defense, Downs’ communication and positioning were vital in managing the Tigers’ offensive pressure. (Dennis Thawng)

Junior Trey Combs fights through contact to get a shot during the physical match up at Panzer Stadium. Playing on the collegiate turf heightened the intensity of every play for the Little Lions. “When playing at Panzer Stadium, everything feels more dramatic,” Combs said. “Every goal feels so much cooler, and a big hit or ground-ball or just a big play in general feels more impactful.” (Dennis Thawng)

Senior Connor Young outworks his opponent to secure a possession for the Little Lions. Young noted that the energy of the venue directly translated to the team’s performance on the field. “The atmosphere is always great, and I think that really helped us keep our energy up throughout the game,” Young said. (Dennis Thawng)

As the Little Lions regrouped, Sophomore Mitchell Adams’ composure highlighted the team’s determination to finish strong. During the huddle, Adams focused on the individual and team adjustments needed to secure the victory. “I was mostly thinking about what I had done well so far and what I needed to change to help my team secure one of our biggest wins in program history,” Adams recalled. (Dennis Thawng)

Assistant Coach Joey Paterno breaks down the game plan at halftime, ensuring the Little Lions stay focused and composed to refine their approach for the second half.
(Dennis Thawng)

Junior Luke Ladrido maintains focus amidst the contact at Penn State’s turf. Ladrido’s ability to maintain his ground against the physicality of the Tigers was a testament to the Little Lions’ toughness throughout the game.
(Dennis Thawng)

Sophomore Angus Kimble maneuvers through the defense, helping the Little Lions establish their rhythm on the turf. (Dennis Thawng)

Sophomore Aaron Brushwood takes a moment to scan the field at Panzer Stadium. (Dennis Thawng)

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