It was a tough loss for the Montverde Academy boys lacrosse team as the IMG Acadmey traveled to Montverde, cruising to a 16-2 win on Thursday.

It only took IMG a couple of short minutes to get the goal scoring started. The Ascenders took an early two goal lead, looking very dangerous in attack.

The rest of the first quarter wasn't much different as they scored two more goals to end the first quarter with a 4-0 lead.

MVA did show some promise as a long spell possession led to multiple attempts at goal but none that could connect with the back of the net.

IMG scored again to make the score 5-0. 

Tanner Moore got the Eagles on the board with a  goal on an assist from Blake Kuhn to make the score 5-1 early in the second quarter.

The Ascenders though dominated the rest of the game, scoring eleven more goals to swell the lead larger and larger. 

Gavin Ionelli scored MVA's second goal by putting one in the net in the fourth quarter before the game ended in favor of IMG Academy.

"It was a tough game, we didn't win many faceoffs, so we were playing a lot of defense. They have a really nice talented group that share it well, they shot the ball well so we were kind of in the hole," said MVA head coach Chris Spaulding. "We didn't have a whole lot of offensive possession but when we did, we did a pretty decent job with it. Definitely one of those games learn from it and get ready for the playoffs because come Thursday you know it's going to be do or die."

In the end, Montverde recovered 16 total ground balls, won five face offs, and goalkeeper Sam Junhke made eight saves in three quarters of action.

MVA will now turn its attention forward as the Eagles will compete next in the quarterfinal round of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) District tournament on Thursday, April 10 against an opponent to be determined.