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Junior Team |
Raider of
the Week
May 1, 2005 (vs.
Rockville)
Tim Orbanac (#23)
After the rain-out on Saturday, Sunday provided a beautiful
afternoon for lacrosse. Unfortunately, the squad started out the game a
bit flat against a very fine Rockville team that has split its home and
away series with MVSA this season each team winning one of the two games.
This reality seemed to get the kids back on their heels a bit and overall,
their play reflected this preoccupation. Eventually, things started to
kick in and after giving up 7 first-half goals, the defense stiffened
allowing only three in the second half. In spite of the final score, the
team actually achieved objectives set for the game, holding Rockville to
10-goals or less while scoring at least two goals. Final score: 10-2.
The nod for this week's Raider of the Week
goes to Tim Orbanac (#23), the
"Michael Jordan" of the midfield. Sunday was Tim's birthday, and instead
of enjoying the afternoon up in Baltimore watching Maryland defeat Duke to
win the ACC LAX Tourney, Tim gave it his all in terms of spirited play and
overall team leadership. In addition to playing midfield, Tim took up the
long-pole to play man-down-defense and even some regular defense
generating a much needed spark with his enthusiasm and commitment to his
team mates and his team.
Raiders of
the Week
April 24, 2005 (vs.
Olney)
Joe Hanlon (#20)
and
CJ Dorsey (#26)
and
'N" Kosi Buford (#12)
The team bounced back from Saturday's defeat at the hands of MVSA
erupting for 12-goals, a season high, against divisional rival Olney.
There were plenty of highlights to choose from, including a 6-goal
performance by Riley Fink (#9), with help from Peter Wagner (#25) and
Chris Roberts (#27). Tim Orbanac had an outstanding game at midfield
with the defense holding Olney to just 4-goals. On his third dash to the
net, Will Richardson (#21) scored his first goal of the season, a goal
earned by hustle and determination. Our newest player, Ric Chapman
(#8) in just his third league game is making important contributions as a
defensive midfielder frequently dislodging the ball from an opponent's
stick and gobbling up the ground ball. As Ric's stick skills continue to
improve, I expect his first goal of the season is on the horizon.
Keeping with the group award theme, Raider of the
Week honors for this game go to 3-amigos,
Joe Hanlon (#20), CJ Dorsey (#26)
and 'N' Kosi Buford (#12). This group
plays at the attack position, A3. During the course of a game, you will
see them run on and off the field substituting for each other. They
do this entirely on their own, without the need for a reminder from the
coaches. While on the field, they work to set picks and create scoring
opportunities for their line-mates. When there is a save, their job
is to create havoc for the opposing goalie as he attempts to clear the
ball. All are regular practice attenders working diligently and with
enthusiasm, to become better and better.
Raiders of
the Week
April 23, 2005 (vs.
MVSA)
Mike Eppard (#7)
and
Zach Sweeney (#15)
and
John Nagel (#14)
and
Justin Wasno (#11)
Saturday, April 23 vs MVSA: Raider of the Week recognition goes to a
group of hard working young men who toil in the defensive end of the
field. While the offense struggled against a talented team, the
defense, as a group, rose to the challenge of attempting to corral an
offensive juggernaut. Working with enthusiasm and spirited play,
they pulled together and held MVSA to 5-fewer goals than were scored
against us in the first game of the season. Clear evidence of
improvement. Raider of the Week honors
to Mike Eppard (#7),
Zach Sweeney (#15),
Kyle Calevetinos (#17),
John Nagel (#14) and goalie,
Justin Wasno (#11) who made 19 saves!!!
Raiders of
the Week
April 17, 2005 (vs.
So. Calvert)
Riley Fink (#9)
and
Kyle Calavetinos (#17)
As anticipated by evidence of steady improvement from week to week,
the PG Raiders Junior lacrosse team has finally notched a "W" in the win
column. Today's win over South Calvert was the product of a superb "team"
effort making the selection or a particular player or players for Raider
of the Week particularly difficult- a problem I'd like to experience more
often.
Before getting to the selection of players for this distinction, I
wish to hand out "honorary" awards as Raider of the Week to Bill Corboy,
head coach of the PG Midgets team and my assistant coach, Burt Sweeney.
Coach Corboy reached the field at Greenbelt Middle School at 7:30 AM to
complete the field lining process, which was just being concluded when I
arrived at 11:45 AM. Coach Corboy did an outstanding job readying the
field under a set of unexpected and extraordinary circumstances, namely,
an outside program had drawn lines for a soccer field through one third of
our playing area. His problem solving and ingenuity crafted an excellent
solution. Joining Coach Corboy at around 9:30 AM was Coach Sweeney (he is
an assistant coach for the Pee Wees as well). Coach Sweeney provided
emergency repair to one of our goal standards which was in need of a
welding patch. Everything was ready to go by game-time. FANTASTIC job
coaches.
There were many highlights to choose from today that would qualify a
number of players for Raider of the Week honors. Second year midfielder
Peter Wagner (#25) moved to attack and scored two goals while playing with
extremely painful back spasms. Attackman Chris Roberts (#27) scored a
couple of pretty goals off of nice feeds while camped on the doorstep. A
note from our scorekeeper appeared in the scorebook to remind everyone
that at a crucial moment late in the first half (30s remaining) with the
score tied 4-4, goalie Eric Didion (#29) "stonewalled" a South Calvert
scoring threat in a one-on-one confrontation. This was a HUGE momentum
builder going into the second half when we broke out with 5-goals in the
3rd period. Rookie defenseman Mike Eppard (#7) was all over the ground
balls making numerous scoops and moving the ball upfield. Senior statesman
defensive player Zach Sweeney (#15) was in the path of a several shots and
was instrumental in providing clearance in front of the net during loose
ball situations. First-year goalie Justin Wasno (#11) shut the door in the
second half only allowing 2 goals over the 3rd and 4th periods.
Above all these good things happening (the more good things you make
happen, the better the outcome) two players stood out in terms of the
motivational leadership they provided. Riley Fink,
midfielder (#9) had a huge day offensively for us scoring 4-goals. He also
won a number of face-offs, played solid defense, made a couple of nice
assist passes and secured numerous ground balls. The second award goes to
first-year defenseman Kyle Calavetinos (#17).
Kyle single handedly fired up his team mates by displaying aggressive "Oh
No You Don't" plays in front of our net and challenging the players to
give it their all and secure the win. The motivation of peers is without
equal. Congratulations Riley and Kyle.
Raider of
the Week
April 10, 2005 (vs.
St. Mary #1)
Justin Wasno (#11)
This was one of those games where the team
seemed to come out on top in virtually every category except the score,
finally succumbing in overtime. Everyone contributed to an effort
that included dominance in important categories such as face-offs won,
total shots, shots on goal, clean goalie clears, securing ground balls,
controlling the tempo of the game on offense while limiting penalties to
only one infraction. Several players scored: Tim (2), Peter
(2), Riley (1) and Jack Twigg (1), our midget recruit called up to help
out in the net, but who instead scored an important EMO goal late in the
game. The defense was sound considering the team was without the
services of one of its mainstays. Mike Eppard did an excellent job
in his first start dislodging balls from sticks of the St. Mary’s
offensive players, delivering physical body checks in the area of the goal
crease, and securing ground balls using his excellent speed and long-pole
cradling skills to advance the ball into the offensive end. Will
Richardson was similarly effective from his midfield position
demonstrating superior foot speed. In the end,
Raider of the Week distinction goes to Justin Wasno (#11) who was
outstanding in his first game between the pipes as goal keeper.
Justin rose to the challenge making a number of fine saves including a
couple of point blank stops from just outside the crease. He also
displayed reliable accuracy with his clears in transition.
Congratulations, Justin!
Raider of
the Week
March 19, 2005 (vs.
MVSA)
Mike Eppard, #7 Though
completely dominated by a vastly superior opponent, the enthusiasm and
energy of first-year player, #7 Mike Eppard was inspirational. Mike
started the game on defense with a long pole to which he was still getting
acquainted. After an extended period on the field, he asked to be
taken out, thoroughly spent and feeling a bit queasy in the stomach due to
the effort given on the field. Scarcely a minute or two had passed,
and he was alongside the coaches, strapped up, and ready to play. "Coach -
I'm ready to go back in. Where do you need me?" Those words are
music to a coach's ear. Mike earns "Raider of the Week" honors for
giving it his all at all times under the most difficult of circumstances.
Watch for the amazingly quick #7 to get better and better each week.
Raiders of
the Week
March 20, 2005 (vs.
Laurel)
Eric Didion, (#29)
and
Kyle Calavetinos, (#17)
In a tough loss the performance of two players stood out in the game
against Laurel: #29, goalie, Eric Didion and #17, first-year defenseman
Kyle Calavetinos. Eric bounced back from a very tough outing vs.
MVSA and played a solid game in net against Laurel. He made a number
of saves and was able to secure the ball in and around the crease.
Eric's goal for the season is to continue to improve and earn the
nick-name "Stone-Wall." Kyle is one of our first year players
anchoring the defense. He works hard in practice and is enthusiastic
about becoming a shut-down type of defensive player. What earns Kyle
his "Raider of the Week" recognition is the fact that he played in spite
of being under-the-weather. He remarked that though he didn't feel
100% physically, he knew the team needed him, and he didn't want to let
his teammates down. It is this type of unselfish commitment and
dedication that builds team unity, chemistry, and camaraderie. When
everyone works together, dedicated to supporting his teammates, success
becomes inevitable. We expect BIG things from big #17.
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