Wootton Looking to Extend League Win Streak Against Whitman

Heading into the season, Wootton coach Dave Evans knew that this year's team was a bit of a work-in-progress. With only three seniors – just one of which has played on the team for all four years – Evans knew team chemistry was going to be one of his team's biggest focus areas this season.

So far, through three league games, the Patriots have answered the call. After dropping the season opener to league-leading Churchill, Wootton has won two straight league games over Sherwood and Walter Johnson.

"I am really pleased with how far our guys have come this season," said Evans, now in his 17th season as Patriots coach.

But Friday night, the long-time Wootton coach and his team will face one of their toughest challenges of the young season when they take on the Walt Whitman Vikings, a team that is undefeated in league play and 3-1 overall.

Whitman brings a potent offense to Friday's contest and Evans believes the game will come down to the Patriots' ability to stop the Vikings' big goal scorers from having too many scoring chances.

"We have to keep an eye on Whitman's playmakers and not let them possess the puck long enough to create opportunities."

Specifically, Whitman (3-1, 3-0) is led by Andy Dexter, who leads the team with six goals and is tied for second on the team with two assists. Jeff Marr (three goals), Lucas Karron (two goals, three assists), and Seth Butler (two goals) are all legitimate scoring threats when Whitman has the puck.

Wootton (2-3, 2-1) meanwhile enters Friday's game a bit shorthanded, playing without two of its top scorers in Jordy Bretner (three goals, three assists) and Arthur Yun, who leads the team in points with four goals and four assists. Bretner will be playing in a tournament this weekend and Yun will be out due to injury.

But team captain Anthony Corini, the aforementioned senior who has been with the team since his freshman year, believes that his team has enough young playmakers of its own to compete with Whitman, despite the loss of two of the Patriots' top offensive weapons.

"We're down a couple big players so it's going to be a big test to see how well our young players can adapt to taking on some bigger roles," said Corini, who is tied with Yun for most assists with four. "They're a pretty well-balanced team and it will be interesting to see how we respond."

Junior assistant captain Joe Kelly feels that the Patriots are ready for the challenge on Friday.

"Last week our win against WJ really brought the team together," said Kelly, who has two assists on the season. "The more and more we play and practice, the more we begin to mesh. And I think we'll be able to show that we have a bunch of guys who are ready to contribute and we’re really excited about that."

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The puck drops at 8:50 Friday night at the Rockville Ice Arena.