Andrews is a standout performer for Iroquois

ELMA - Derek Andrews may be just a sophomore. But he’s got the talent and expectations of an upperclassman for the Iroquois High School boys lacrosse team.

In his second season at the varsity level, the attack man has emerged into a standout performer for the young Chiefs, who are looking to remain competitive in the loaded Class B.

“I’m just trying to do the best I can for my team,” Andrews said. “I want to get my goals up and try to be a leader out there.”

So far, he’s done that. Andrews was an honorable mention all-division pick last year as a freshman and he’s been even better this season. That has the Chiefs very excited about the possibilities to come.

“He’s just a sophomore, so he has two more years with us,” Iroquois coach Tom Kincella said with a smile. “We’re looking for big things from him.”

Andrews came up big when his team needed it the most on April 26. His goal with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter was the game-winner in an exciting 8-7 win over Class B rival West Seneca West.

“I knew at the end that we needed that goal,” he said after the big road victory. “Once we got the ball down there I knew I had to cut to the net and finish. It was a big goal for us and a big win.”

The victory was a much needed one for the young Chiefs. They had won just one of their eight games on the season entering that contest. But after leaving West Seneca with a hard-fought comeback victory, Iroquois hoped to build momentum to propel the team to a much better second half. They followed up that road victory with another one four days later at Sweet Home.

“They’ve been close all year and they finally finished it off and did what they were supposed to,” Kincella said. “It was a lot of great plays from a lot of great players.”

And Andrews was right in the middle of things. After losing first-team all-stars James Gerard and Randy Gyergek to graduation off of last year’s club, his offensive output is most needed. But his primary objective is turning that into some victories.

If the Chiefs can continue to improve, that might just happen.

“Hopefully this is a big turning point for us,” Andrews said. “We’re working hard and getting better. Hopefully, we can just keep it going. I think we’re going to start building more confidence and getting more wins.”