JV Lacrosse
The SMA JV team concluded its 2009 JV schedule of games on a cold and blustery Monday night April 6th at Redskin field.
The game originally posted as a home game for cross-town opponent Cardinal Mooney was moved due to overbooking of their facilites. Visiting CM Cougars raced off to a 3 goal lead and kept the shut-out through the first half before allowing the lone SMA goal on attackman
Josh Billings feed from behind the crease to cutting midfielder Jessie Lipman. The Eagles never found the home field advantage and failed to capatalize on a three minute non-releaseable stick penalty to start the second period.
The game ended 9-1 in favor of the cougars.
The
SMA JV Eagles crossed town to face-off against the Lightning JV
squad
on Lakewood Ranch's Bulldog field
Delayed due to a fatal accident on I-75 at University Parkway forcing players to use alternate
routes and emerge intermittently. The game itself was played with
enthusiasm in front of a large crowd representing both teams.
SMA Eagle highlights included big league point blank stops by freshman
goalie Zach Cossey, as well as an incredible feed by freshman attacker
and 3 year lax veteran Josh Billings to fellow cadet Pierce Stroud who
in full stride ripped his shot past the LWR goalie. Big hits were
delivered on both sides of the field, yet perhaps none bigger than the
one set up by pint sized but rock solid AJ Rodman that led to yet
another SMA goal.
Midfielder Zak Golden proved to be faster than lightning himself as he
raced away from the competition posting a 3 goal performance.
After the contest players and parents from both sides rekindled old
relationships forged upon the traditions of lacrosse. Many of these
local players have grown up playing together, even being coached by
coaches from the opposing programs. "Honor the Game" "Lacrosse it's
in our blood"
JV Squad Faces Estero Varsity
Coach Steve Estes complimented the play of his goalie, Zach Cossey, even though there was little else that went well for the Eagles, who were outmatched by a stronger Estero varsity club. Josh Billings scored the only goal for SMA. Estes is hopefull that his SMA team can " stay positive " and " build on the things that they have done well, even though they were out played by the visiting varsity club". The " kids are doing a lot of things well" and " those are what we can be hopeful that they will continue to improve and build on " said coach Estes.
Cardinal Mooney Edges SMA In JV Tilt
"We are better every week" said SMA JV coach Steve Estes who was
pleased even though his team posted a 5 to 4 loss to crosstown opponent
Cardinal Mooney in JV action Wednesday evening at the Eagle's home
field. Fans were treated to a competitive game highlighted by what coach
Estes called a "real effort by Nic Halloran who passed and shot with
precision." He credited the team for its effort " to scoop the ground
balls, do the little things better, and battle for face-off wins."
Estes singled out his goalie, Zach Cossey, who the coach said kept it
close with some " heroic" saves. " These guys came so close but ended up
on the wrong side of the scoreboard. They are hungry for a win."
His improving JV squad will host Estero this Saturday at 9:30 AM
"We Are Improved In All Aspects" Coach Says.
"Our JV team hung in there and produced a solid effort in all aspects of
the game" added JV coach Steve Estes who watched his Eagles lose 10 - 6
to visiting Fish Hawk following the varsity tilt Wednesday night. Down
only 3 to 2 at halftime, following a solid effort by goalie Zack Cossey,
Eagles coach Estes, determined to get everyone experience, rotated his
goalies and continued to utilize every available player in an attempt to
accomplish his task of providing playing and therefore valuable learning
time for his young squad - SMA's future varsity players.
The coach singled out his improving offense for their " team play"
noting that they "competed for not only for every ground ball but
face-offs too". "We were competitive on every play" he added. Halloran (
2 goals), Lipman and Billings who all scored were credited by coach
Estes " for helping make this (our) best effort yet".
In Junior Varsity action the Gekko's have way with Eagles
The SMA Eagles Lacrosse team faced of in the heat of Saturday afternoon against the Citrus Park Gekko's JV team. Quickly falling behind the Eagles were overpowered by the Gekko's, finishing 1 - 13 SMA's lone goal was scored by #7 Derek Caprio. Though out-gunned by the quick, sure passing and hard shooting Gekko's, the young Eagles team continue to show signs they are learning the game, possess the skills and do not quit.
They return to the practice field to ready themselves for their next matchup with FishHawk JV , who they will entertain at home Wed 3/18/09.
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