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Sports

LAX Coach Returns After Heart Attack to a 14-1 Victory

It was FitzGerald's first night back with the team after suffering a minor heart attack.

It was a big Thursday night for the Cavaliers lacrosse team. Not only did they beat the Lee Lancers 14-1, they celebrated their soon-to-be-graduating players and welcomed back their coach, now a heart attack survivor.

“It was just a little bit of a scare,” head coach Jon FitzGerald said of his April 12 heart attack. “The prognosis is a full recovery. I feel very optimistic that I will be able to help the team as we near the end of the season.”

FitzGerald hadn’t missed a single game in his 24-year tenure as the Woodson lacrosse coach.

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“I had to miss the last three [games] and it was very difficult,” FitzGerald said. “My doctor gave me the green light to come by and contribute as much as I can. I felt good and I’m glad I was able to help the seniors have a successful night.”

His players were even happier to have him back.

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“It feels great [to have him back],” said junior attacker Marcus Berry. “He’s a great coach and it was a great night.”

Berry had two goals and was one of four Cavaliers with multi-score performances.

“It felt good to help us get a good win,” Berry said. “It gives us a lot of confidence going into the district tournament.”

Senior midfielder Brian Cooper also had two goals on the night

“It was a good win,” said Cooper. “We’re still undefeated in the Patriot District.”

After a short ceremony recognized nine seniors on the team, Woodson went to work on several new plays to prepare them for the district tournament.

“We wanted to make plays that would work against teams that were a little more experienced,” FitzGerald said. “Our plan was not only to score goals, but to make defensive plays against Lee that would also work well against teams that are a little bit more skilled.”

FitzGerald, who teaches English at Woodson, praised his assistant coaches for filling in for him in his absence. Coach Ryan Hilliard took the leading role.

“It’s just like when a player gets hurt,” Hilliard said. “Everybody else has to step up and do a little more. Coaches all chipped in, players all chipped in, senior leaders and captains.”

The Cavaliers went 3-0 during FitzGerald’s absence.

“We realized that our coach was down, but we’re going to keep getting better and keep working hard,” Hilliard said. “The mission was the same and we kept doing the same things that we’ve been doing.”

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