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Appleton United's Tristan Dean. (File photo/Mike Golding)
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Waunakee uses late surge to defeat Appleton United in WIAA boys lacrosse regional final

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AppletonSportsPage.com

WAUNAKEE – The No. 8 seed Appleton United boys lacrosse team hung with No. 1 seed Waunakee, but three unanswered goals late lifted the Warriors to an 8-5 win in a WIAA regional final Tuesday at Waunakee High School.

Appleton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in a driving rain after a goal from Jaylen Kempfer.

Waunakee battled back to go up 5-4 before a lightning delay just before halftime.

Tristan Dean knocked in his second goal of the game early in the third quarter off an assist from Luke Rheinheimer to tie the game at 5-5, but that would be it for Appleton.

Appleton could not overcome a slew of turnovers and the Warriors finished off the game with three goals to move on in the postseason.

Roen Willis also had two goals for Appleton, which ends its season with a 12-6 record.

Waunakee (15-4) will host No. 5 seed Neenah (13-6) in a sectional semifinal Thursday.