SVHS Lacrosse Takes Down Rival Aptos

~By Gary Hickey

It was a perfect day for lacrosse at Scotts Valley High School on Friday afternoon. The Falcons hosted their perennial rival the strong, well coached Aptos Mariners. The sun was shining and the temperature was just right. In their previous meeting this season, Aptos walked away with a well earned one goal victory. The Falcons haven't forgotten and worked hard to turn the tide on the Mariners.            

Aptos showed that they were not backing down and about a minute in, they score the first goal of the game, it's midfielder Tyler Pryce. A few minutes later, Scotts Valley midfielder Wesley Koenig drove to the goal and found the netting to tie it up at 1.

The play went back and forth for a few more minutes before attackman Kevin Niemeyer looked over the field to find a cutting Spencer Fogelquist. Spencer converted the shot into a goal.

The Falcons were starting to get the air under their wings, and just like that, 25 seconds later, they win the faceoff, get the ball to Fogelquist, fed Koenig who fired another shot across the bow into the net. Fogelquist, ran the offense from the 'X' position, then saw midfielder Bradley McClarnon on the run and fed him for a shot and a goal. The quarter ended with Scotts Valley up 4-1.           

In the second quarter, both teams were fighting for ground balls, possession kept changing until Collin Corbella steped up to remind the Mariners about his speed and accuracy. He drove unassisted to the goal for his signature high to low fastball. Then the winds started blowing the other way and the Falcons were off balance, committing several penalties. The proud, man down defense held off two, one-minute penalties, but with one specialist out on a penalty, they relinquish a goal from Aptos midfielder Nick Wameling. As the tide turned, Aptos midfielder Cody Gradone scored back-to-back goals, making it a one-goal game.

The Falcons leveled their wings and got back to their game plan of moving the ball and moving their feet. As usual, the Falcons get the ball to 'X' where Spencer Fogelquist took his man for a run to the front of the goal where he fired an underhand rocket shot into the top corner of the goal. The Falcons can play ball and that shot was a testament to that. It fired up the team, and it showed when Wesley Koenig won the faceoff, sprinted to the goal, drew the defense and fed Collin Corbella who found his favorite spot, and snipes in another goal 8 seconds later. These guys are fast and know how to run the break. That's the perfect way to gain back the momentum, ending the half at 7-4, Scotts Valley.            

Both teams were still in it at this point, and the third quarter went back and forth. Aptos was getting their shots, but goalie Chris Martin was seeing the ball and making the stops. Showing balance on offense, Koenig found Griffin Curtiss who was on target with his shot making it 8-4. Then, with 13 seconds left in the third quarter, Corbella again went unassisted to the goal and scored, making it 9-4.

The Mariners were not done and Nick Greene scored the first goal of the fourth. Sloppy play and mental mistakes found the Falcons in the penalty situation several times. Sage Parker scored for Aptos on the first penalty, but Scotts Valley's man down unit held them off on three consecutive attempts. Again, goalie Chris Martin made many key stops. Scotts Valley regained possession and control of the game, killing the clock by moving the ball around. Midfielder Bradley McClarnon still had energy, beat his defender and drove in for a high percentage shot, scoring the final goal of the game.            

Scotts Valley won the game 10-6. The Falcons had to step up their efforts to beat their rival. Collin Corbella led the team with three goals. Wesley Koenig and Spencer Fogelquist each had two goals and two assists. Bradley McClarnon dropped in two goals, Griffin Curtiss had one and Kevin Niemeyer had an assist. Their defense was tough all day with several takeaways and forced turnovers. It was a physical game with many body checks. The defensive unit was led by Scott Hunter, Cole Deblock and Pat Marigonda showing the smarts, energy and grit needed to win the big games. Helping the defensive effort was Spencer Rollins and Robbie McClure. Chris Martin had his best game of the season with 14 saves.

This game was a big step for the Scotts Valley team, they distributed the scoring, assisted on half of the goals and turned up the pressure on defense. The Falcons will meet the Mariners again in the playoffs, but for now the Falcons are flying high with a 13-1 record.