After its second game of the season, Landon School’s goalkeeper Alex Joyce was direct and passionate about the goal he wanted to attain with the Bears during his senior season.

“IAC Championship,” he said. “IAC Championship.”

Now, however, as the Interstate Athletic Conference schedule nears midseason, that goal is appearing harder and harder to accomplish.

A win Wednesday, in arguably the top lacrosse showdown in the county against Georgetown Prep, would go a long way toward alleviating some of the worry that has crept in amongst the Bears, who began the week having lost three of their last four. Their 4-5 record was the worst in the IAC.

The Hoyas beat Landon in overtime in last season’s IAC title game. Joyce still plays the YouTube clip of Georgetown Prep’s game-winning goal over and over to use as motivation.

This year, the Hoyas again are cruising through the schedule. They’re 9-2, led by 11 goals from Kyle Shanahan. After losing back-to-back games, Georgetown Prep has won three in a row and appears ready for Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. game against visiting Landon.

Divisional battle: If the early-season results are any indication, it appears the Montgomery 4A South Division will be quite entertaining. Six-time region champion Thomas S. Wootton is off to a 3-2 start this season, losing to Gonzaga and Marriott’s Ridge, but will remain the class of the league until someone knocks them off. Challenging the Patriots are Winston Churchill (4-1) and its potent offensive attack, Walter Johnson (4-2) with its strength and size, Richard Montgomery (4-0) with talent across the board as well as Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walt Whitman.

Walter Johnson and Churchill will play one another at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a game that could factor large in the standings down the road.

ncammarota@gazette.net

How They Rank

1. Georgetown Prep Little Hoyas

Three-game winning streak after Gonzaga loss bodes well for showdown against Landon.

2. Bullis BulldogsEdged Landon, 7-6, on Thursday and surpassed the Bears in the rankings this week.

3. Landon BearsHave lost three of four games heading into Wednesday’s battle against Georgetown Prep.

4. Thomas S. Wootton Patriots

Patriots lost to Marriott’s Ridge. Will attempt to show what they’re made of against undefeated Richard Montgomery.

5. Winston Churchill Bulldogs

Lost for the first time this year, but still put up seven against a tough Lower Merion (Pa.) team.

Best BetsLandon at Georgetown Prep, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.

Walter Johnson at Winston Churchill, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Thomas S. Wootton at Walter Johnson, Friday, 7 p.m.

Springbrook at Sherwood, Monday, 7 p.m.