CYLA 13U Cobra Boys Make Strides, Score Multiple Victories Over Slade

By Colin Murphy

With victories over Kent Island and Broadneck Silver, as well as a stellar showing on May 2 against a strong Slade team and several closely-fought battles in between, the CYLA 13U boys lacrosse “Gold” Cobras have shown dramatic improvement since the beginning of the season in the Anne Arundel County Recs and Parks Midget “Juke” division.

Head Coach Joe Millsap is pleased with the progress his players have made as individuals in addition to the leaps and bounds they have made in strengthening their teamwork. “The great thing is the improvement,” said Millsap after the contest against Slade. “We started the season knowing we had lots of work to do, and they’ve done it.”

On May 2, a hungry CYLA squad gave Slade all they could handle. Playing without injured midfielder Troy Kidwell and defensive menace Croix Danko, the Cobras played Slade to a gritty, low-scoring first quarter. Goalie Alec Robinette stuffed multiple shots on Slade’s first three possessions to keep the opponents at bay.

“I’m impressed with the defense,” said Robinette after the game, giving credit for his solid play in goal to his teammates. “They really stepped up.”

Hustle in the midfield and hard-hitting defensive play from David Degreenia, Logan Roes, Nicholas Krycia, and Colby Sos secured possession for the Cobras throughout much of the second quarter, and when they got the chance, they took advantage of their scoring opportunities. With a lighting-quick cut from behind the net, Brian Lord took a pass from skilled stick-handler Patrick Tate and scored midway through the second quarter, absorbing a crushing body check just as he fired the shot.

“I got decked,” said Lord with a smile after the game, “and I looked up and the ball was in the net.” With the Cobras on the board, Robinette recorded two more saves before halftime to keep Slade frustrated.

A driven CYLA squad was decidedly the more aggressive team on the field during the third quarter. Defensively, the Cobras locked Slade down, and the play of Degreenia, Roes, Krycia, and Sos, as well as several bone-rattling hits in the crease by defenseman Alex Millsap kept Slade’s attack out of sync.

On offense, the consistent play of attackman Patrick Bock complemented the speedy Matt Hartman and the agile Christopher Frenzel, and the Cobras strung together several passing sequences to showcase their improvement in the settled offense. The solid passing of Cole Almendra allowed Tyler Fish to work his deft ball-handling skills to full effect, and Fish scored from a drive behind the net to put the Cobras on the scoreboard once again.

CYLA continued to outlast Slade in the hustling and energy departments throughout the fourth quarter, holding them to only one goal in the entire second half. With the final whistle, the Cobra boys were able to take away many positives from their well-played effort.

“I’m extremely proud of our boys,” said Coach Millsap after the game. “I’m impressed with them because none of them gave up. They’re determined, they respond well to our coaching and to adversity, and they are definitely a much better team than when we started the season.”

Lord, for one, has enjoyed his team’s progress and kept the best possible mindset throughout the season, saying, “My favorite thing about this team is just seeing everyone being happy and having fun on the field.”