Boys lacrosse: Loyola runs away from Glenbard West

Updated: May 25, 2012 8:20PM

Tim O’Connor scored five goals as top-ranked and top-seeded Loyola started its playoff run with a 12-4 win over Glenbard West in Glenview.

The Ramblers advanced to the state quarterfinals, where they meet Lyons, a 13-6 winner over Stevenson. The state semis are Thursday, and the championship game is Saturday at Palatine.

“Not our best start,” said senior Brendan Dowdle, who scored in the victory. “We came out flat again. We have to work better in practice and come out with that spark we need.”

Still, Loyola (14-5) never was in danger of losing this one. The Ramblers, who are udefeated against in-state opponents, went into the half ahead 7-2 before sitting on the lead in the final two quarters.

Kevin Gleason followed O’Connor with three goals. Four other Ramblers each finished with a goal.

“We grinded it out,” Loyola coach Rob Snyder said. “That’s all it’s about in the playoffs. I will take all of our wins like this.”

For Dylan Harris, this was one step closer to that elusive state title. The defender been on varsity all four seasons and a starter for the last three years.

“It’s always on my mind,” Harris said of capturing a state championship, Loyola’s first since 2004. “We’re always talking about it in practice and texting each other about it. It’s hard to forget about because it means so much to me.

“It’s a big thing on my mind right now.”

In other round of 16 action, seven-time defending state champion and fifth-seeded New Trier beat Benet 11-2 on Thursday.

Glenbrook North, enjoying a successful spring, squeezed by Libertyville on Thursday with a 7-6 victory.

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