Bronx Science has made great strides the last two seasons, but were unable push its journey all the way.

The third-seeded Wolverines boys’ lacrosse team fell a win shy of a city title in a 7-5 loss to top-seeded Eagles Academy for Young Men II in the PSAL Class B final at Aviator Sports Complex on May 18. Bronx Science was 0-6 as a developmental team last season, according to coach Barton Allen. This year it went 9-4 and came close to raising the championship trophy. Eagle beat Bronx Science 12-2 in their only regular season meeting back in March.

“We got better as the season went on,” Allen said. “This year everyone gave their best effort and did all they could. They bought in. They are just good kids.”

His club saw itself tied 4-4 at the half after a goal from William Erwin (three goals) and one from Giancarlo Zirpolo (two goals) off a feed from Benjamin Boyd late in the second quarter. It was the last score by the Wolverines until Erwin found the back of the net with a blast from 15 yards out to make it 7-5 with 1:45 left in the third. Kernell Warner tallied three goals for Eagle.

“We had a lot of unforced errors to be honest,” Allen said. “We just couldn’t get the game tied [again].”

Bronx Science wasn’t at a lack for quality shots however. Luck just wasn’t on their side and Eagle Academy goalie Victor Godette made six crucial saves. One of those stops was to open the third quarter, where Eagle (12-0) outscored Bronx Science 3-1. He also made a save on a point blank shot in transition by Christian Concepion early in the fourth.

The Wolverines had a goal taken away because of a crease violation in the second quarter and saw Griffin Rubin hit the crossbar late in the frame. In the fourth, Erwin had a shot hit the post with 8:14 remaining in the game before Godette made two more saves.

“You’ve worked to get a good opportunity to score and the goalie just snatched it right back from you,” Erwin said.

No one can take back the progress Bronx Science has made. Allen credited Erwin, who had played lacrosse in Georgia, before moving back to the Bronx, as an important driving force behind the program over the years. The development of goalie Brian Hwang has also been a big contributing factor to this season. Their hard work didn’t translate into a title, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t successful in their eyes.

“These guys have shown a lot of drive to make it to this point,” Erwin said. “It’s been validating to be able to play in the championship game.”