Call them the three ace \u201cCards\u201d of Jacksonville lacrosse.<\/p>\n
The captain trio of seniors Logan Skipper and Alex Perry and junior Aidan Hart has played a key role in what the Cardinals hope is a resurgent season.<\/p>\n
These three players have combined to post 41 of 67 goals and 28 of 38 assists for the Cardinals (5-1), who are one result shy of matching last year\u2019s win total and are on pace to win their most games since 2016\u2019s 15-win season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are learning each other\u2019s habits, and they are putting in the work,\u201d Jacksonville coach John DeRosa said. \u201cThey bring a different change of pace, and they bring different intangibles to the game. They feed off each other, and the other guys follow suit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The trio continued their strong play Monday night in an 18-9 home victory over New Hanover as Hart recorded four goals and three assists and Perry and Skipper each had two goals and two assists.<\/p>\n
Overall, Hart has 13 goals and 13 assists, Skipper has 15 goals and 10 assists and Perry has 13 goals and five assists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely like to complete with each other, but we also like to work together,\u201d Skipper said.<\/p>\n
Perry agreed, adding that sometimes their competitive spirit gets intense.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are my guys, and we talk crap to each other all day,\u201d he said. \u201cI remember last year one time, me and Aidan were having a back-and-forth, talking crap, but it was all in love. We all try to push each other to have our best games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every one of the players can point to that one \u201cbest\u201d game.<\/p>\n
Hart\u2019s strongest contest came with the four goals and three assists against New Hanover, Skipper had tallied four goals and two assists in an 11-8 win over Swansboro and Perry netted six goals and an assist in a 14-6 triumph over Northside.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody moves around and executes,\u201d Hart said. \u201cWe are on the same page.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hart, Perry and Skipper have had plenty of time to be in sync as all three have played for the Cardinals for three years. All three know what the other brings to the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex is big and strong with both hands and he can move the ball,\u201d Skipper said. \u201cAidan is a strong lefty who is shifty. You don\u2019t want to mess with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then it was Perry\u2019s turn to compliment his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cLogan is shifty and his eyes are always up. He sees everything,\u201d Perry said. \u201cAnd the same goes with Aidan. He always looks first and shoots later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex always finds himself open and he always drops the hammer on the goalie. The goalie can\u2019t see it coming,\u201d Hart said. \u201cLogan has everything in his bag. He’s got a lefty, a righty and he has that jump shot you always see. All that combined makes him a really great player.\u201d<\/p>\n
But while Hart, Perry and Skipper share a strong bond on the Cardinals\u2019 attack. They were all quick to credit their other teammates for their success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team comradery hasn\u2019t been the best in the past, but this year we have brought it together,\u201d Skipper said. \u201cEveryone is working together really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about us three, it\u2019s about the whole team,\u201d he said. \u201cThe whole team is full of superstars. We have talent at every position. We just need to keep it going. We have not forgotten the last couple of years and how we were getting our butts kicked. It didn\u2019t feel good … but this year\u2019s team has brought different leadership and a different vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cardinals look take use that mindset into Thursday\u2019s showdown at reigning state champion Croatan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe positive vibes are all around,\u201d Perry said. \u201cWe are all here for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n