After allowing six fourth-quarter goals in a tough 16-10 loss to league rival Loyola, the defense stepped up tremendously for the varsity lacrosse team on Friday night, carrying the squad to a 9-5 victory over Oaks Christian (1-2 overall, 0-0 in Marmonte League) on the road.

First-year varsity goalie Troy Hattler ’17 has been starting all season for the Wolverines, and arguably had his finest performance of his young career on Friday. The sophomore limited the Lions — ranked 15th in the Los Angeles County according to the most recent MaxLaxLA coaches’ poll — to five goals on the evening, the lowest output for any opponent Hattler has faced in his four games in a varsity uniform.

Harvard-Westlake, ranked third in the county in the most recent coaches’ poll, improves to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Mission League play with the win. The Wolverines won’t have much time off after Friday’s victory, as the squad is already in action on Saturday evening in a league matchup against Chaminade (2-2 overall, 0-0 in league). The Eagles, ranked 13th in the coaches’ poll, were swept by Harvard-Westlake in the teams’ two 2014 matchups. This year’s first showdown will take place at Chaminade at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and will be the last road game for the Wolverines before a four-game homestand in late March.