Boy's/Men's: Rolling Raptors, SULL, Weekly Coaches’ Poll, Men’s College and Lacrosse Hockey
Boy's/Men's: Rolling Raptors, SULL, Weekly Coaches’ Poll, Men’s College and Lacrosse Hockey
April 1st Issue. By: Megan Chambers and Dane Stewart
Hello Utah Lacrosse, my apologies on the delay for this weeks posting. Unfortunately on Easter Sunday I was in six car accident that gave a concussion. I was unable to finish up my portion of the newsletter. Megan Chambers came to my rescue and wrote the newsletter with Dane Stewart this week.
ULR sponsors make this all possible. Visit our title sponsors Tribal West Lacrosse (website) & MinersTown Strength and Condition(website).
Rolling Raptors - Utah Wheelchair Lacrosse
As an avid lacrosse enthusiast who wanted to bring the game back into his life after a spinal cord injury nine years back, Matt Bowen's journey to establishing Utah Wheelchair Lacrosse began and was inspired by the national wheelchair lacrosse movement. So, the Rolling Raptors were born!
Regardless of skill level, age, or gender, participants are welcome to engage in the Raptor’s monthly clinics. The primary objective of the program is to provide a platform where players, both seasoned athletes and novices, can congregate, compete, and, above all, have fun playing lacrosse (all equipment needed is provided)!
The program aspires to compete on a national scale and proudly represent Utah. The Raptors have forged partnerships with various lacrosse teams, including the University of Utah, BYU, and West Jordan High School, fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the lacrosse community.
Want to Play? – Just show up! All you have to do is sign-in at the lobby of Copper view Rec Center or Taylorsville Rec Center. The Raptor’s Instagram or website always has the latest details.
What to Help? – There are many ways to help, support, or become involved. Depending on the time of year there might be different needs. Reach out via their website, Instagram or email.
Ben Ostler, a key member of Utah Wheelchair Lacrosse, shares the team's enthusiasm, stating, "We are delighted to contribute to the community and share our narrative." Through passion, perseverance, and inclusivity, Matt Bowen and his team are not only redefining lacrosse participation but also inspiring others to surmount obstacles and embrace the joy of the sport. Adaptive Sports is for all.
SULL REGION Teams
BOYS SULL REGION STANDINGS
Snow Canyon (5-0)
Dixie (4-1)
Canyon View (4-1)
Cedar (3-3)
Crimson Cliffs (1-4)
Desert Hills (1-4)
Hurricane (0-5)
Check out Snow Canyon, coached by Greg Freihofner in St. George, UT. They've got a whopping 44 players on their team and are absolutely killing it with a perfect 5-0 record, snagging that #1 spot in the SULL region. They've been on fire lately, scoring big wins against Hurricane (22-1) at home, Cedar (14-4) and Dixie (14-5) away, Crimson Cliffs (15-4) away, and Desert Hills (19-2) at home.
Up Next: April 9 - 6PM AWAY vs Canyon View
Coach Kurt Pascoe is leading 28 players in St. George, UT, for Dixie HS. They're rocking a 4-1 record and sitting at #2 in the region. They've been serving up wins - Hurricane (13-2), Canyon View (12-11), Cedar (10-8), and Crimson Cliffs (12-8), but Snow Canyon (14-5) grabbed a W at home. After this season, they're bidding farewell to 5 seniors, a couple of whom are among their top goal scorers.
Up Next: April 4 - 7PM AWAY vs Desert Hills
The Canyon View Falcons, led by head coach Nik Johnson in Cedar City, Utah, boast a young team, with only two seniors among their 25 players this year. Despite their youth, they've secured an impressive 4-1 record, ranking #3 in the region. Their recent victories include a dominant 18-4 win against Desert Hills and a hard-fought 9-8 overtime win against Cedar Reds.
Up Next: April 9 - 6PM HOME vs Snow Canyon
Under the guidance of head coach Josh Hill in Cedar City, Utah, the Cedar Reds field a team of 34 athletes. With a 3-3 record, they currently rank #4 in the region, having played six games so far. Some commanding wins against Crimson Cliffs (18-1) and Desert Hills (16-4), but they've also faced tough losses, notably to Canyon View in overtime (9-8) and Snow Canyon (14-4).
Up Next: April 11 - 7PM AWAY vs Crimson Cliffs
The Crimson Cliffs, led by head coach Shaun Layton in Washington, UT, field a team of 29 players. With a 1-4 record, they're currently sitting at #5 in the region. While they've faced tough losses to Cedar (18-1), Canyon View (8-4), Snow Canyon (15-4), and Dixie (12-7), they showed grit and snagged a hard-fought victory against Desert Hills (8-6) on March 20th.
Up Next: April 8 - 7PM HOME vs Hurricane
Desert Hills (pictured above), where Coach Aaron Lewis leads a crew of 21 players in sunny St. George, UT. They've been grinding with a 1-4 record, landing them at #6 in the region. Tough breaks against Canyon View (18-4), Cedar (16-4), Crimson Cliffs (8-6), and Snow Canyon (19-2), but they pulled off a sweet victory over Hurricane (10-7) on March 21st.
Up Next: April 4 - 7PM HOME vs Dixie
In Hurricane, UT, head coach Bradley Hall leads a sizable team of 33 players, currently holding a challenging 0-5 record and ranking at #7 in the region. Despite their efforts, they've suffered losses against Snow Canyon (22-1) away, Dixie (13-2) away, Desert Hills (10-7) at home, Canyon View (17-3) away, and Cedar (13-0) away.
Up Next: April 8 - 7PM AWAY vs Crimson Cliffs
Boys Weekly Coaches’ Poll
No. 1 Brighton – Brighton stands as one of Utah’s premier teams, currently holding the second position statewide. Their prowess extends beyond state borders, ranking among the top 40 teams in the nation. Throughout the season, the Bengals have maintained an unblemished record, securing victories against formidable opponents such as Fremont, Corner Canyon, and Northridge. Notably, on March 26th, Brighton hosted the Green Canyon Wolves, triumphing decisively with a score of 12-2. Subsequently, they visited the Chargers' stadium, where they claimed victory over Corner Canyon with a commanding score of 13-6.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Chris O’Donnell, Brighton's standout athletes have garnered recognition for their exceptional performances. Donovan Wismer is lauded for his agility, strategic acumen, and leadership on the field. Grayson Harris exemplifies speed and strength, while Mason Fray demonstrates remarkable ability in goalkeeping, showcasing both agility and composure. Ethan Salmon distinguishes himself through impeccable footwork and stick positioning, contributing significantly to the team's success.
No. 2 Olympus – The Titans are on fire, moving up a spot this week with their flawless 5-0 record just in time to head off for spring break this week. They kicked off last week with a commanding 14-5 home win against Fremont, showcasing goals from all corners (Wixom, Gordon, Clayton, Droitsch, Thompson, Holtby, Cummings, Burbidge) and almost matching their goals 1:1 with 11 assists. To keep the momentum rolling with a 19-6 win against Bountiful on Thursday, the Olympus boys displayed a rock-solid offensive performance to send them on their spring break.
No. 3 Corner Canyon – Corner Canyon's got the moves but took a slight dip in the rankings this week, boasting a solid 4-1 record. Coach Ika names nine of his players as critical components to their season success: attack midfielders freshman OJ Ika (#7), senior Kisen Muramoto (#20), sophomore Rhett King (#16), junior Mike Wheatley (#21), junior Tanner Oldroyd (#1), and on the defensive end sophomore Tanner Adamson (#4), junior Will Perry (#19), senior goalie Mitch Phippen (#10), and senior Anderson Lewis (#24).
Game Recap: They kicked things off with a nail-biter against Alta, clenching a tight 9-8 win after a scoring spree in the first quarter. However, their home turf didn't bring them luck on Friday as they fell to Brighton 13-6, despite a consistent scoring effort across all quarters.
No. 4 Davis – The Darts grab the number 4 spot this week with an impressive 4-1 record! Coach Dillon has some serious talent on his hands, with six standout players (pictured below) embodying team spirit and selflessness. Hunter Keller (#36) stands tall in the cage, backed by defensive powerhouses Carter Sant (#44) and Kash Gates (#0). Deuce Wright (#22) is a huge contributor in transition and can “put the clamps on anyone at the SSDM position”, while Nick Johnson (#2) fuels the offense with his leadership. And let's not forget Ashton Wood (#7), who lights up the goal from every angle. Coach Dillon explained how “These are all guys that sacrifice for their teammates and put their team first. They don’t care about individual stats and all they focus on is the team winning. They focus on doing their job and putting it all on the line for the guys on the team. They pick each other up and push each other every single day.”
Game Recap: In an exhilarating home game on Thursday against Farmington, the Darts secured an 8-6 victory with a strong showing across the board. Carter Sant (#44) emerged as the MVP with a standout performance, dominating the defensive end with multiple turnovers and contributing significantly to the transition game. The team started strong with five goals in the first quarter, but then got away from playing their brand of lacrosse as the game progressed, but ultimately claimed a W.
No. 5 Fremont – Despite moving down a spot, the Fremont Silverwolves boast an impressive 7-2 record and currently sit in second place in their region under the guidance of Coach Brad Searle.
Game Recap: The Silverwolves experienced a tough loss against Olympus Tuesday under away lights but bounced back with a commanding 17-5 win against Layton at home on Thursday. With goals coming from various players (Hill, Isaacson, Searle, Berry, Olsen, Hale, Widdison, Passey, Jenkins) and standout performances like sophomore Branson Hiatt's impressive 80% face-off control, the Fremont boys continue to showcase their depth and talent. Kaydin Berry (#7) was named MVP for his exceptional versatility and impactful presence across multiple positions on the field, proving to be a crucial asset in their recent victory. Coach Searle describes Berry as “a ground ball machine [who] found the back of the net a number of times.”
No. 6 Park City – Maintaining their position in the weekly coaches' poll, the Park City Miners stand strong with a 5-2 record, currently leading their region. Coach Mike Persky emphasizes the team's journey of self-discovery, acknowledging both their stellar moments and areas for improvement. With senior captains Bracken Birch (#21), Tripp Hopkins (#5), and Garrett Hebert (#7) at the helm, their exceptional leadership, attitude, and effort continue to drive the team forward, ensuring they remain a force to be reckoned with on the field.
Game Recap: The Park City Miners started strong with a commanding 6-1 home win against Bountiful, highlighted by goalie AJ Silianoff's 15 saves out of 16 shots on goal. However, they faced tough losses on the road in Colorado, falling 5-15 to Valor Christian Eagles in Highlands Ranch and 6-13 to Cherry Creek in Greenwood Village. Despite the setbacks, Becker Ruzek stood out with an impressive 80% of wins on face off, showcasing the team's resilience amidst challenging matchups.
No. 7 Alta – The Hawks lock in the 7th spot, marking an ascent of two positions for the team in this week’s Coaches’ Poll and head into their spring break on a 3-2 record. Coach Brandon Horoba highlights the team's top performers, including Andrew Parry (#2 ), a defensive standout known for his impact all over the field, while Braxton Horoba (#23) leads the offense with his exceptional vision, leading in goals and assists for the Alta boys. In goal, Colton Tueller (#12) has been a reliable presence, making crucial saves and bolstering the team's defense throughout the season.
Game Recap: Alta Hawks narrowly lost to Corner Canyon 9-8 at home, with Colton Tueller as MVP due to his performance between the pipes having 13 saves. Despite the loss, junior Colt McKean (#0) led the offense impressively, finding 4 goals and 1 assist. However, they bounced back with a 10-6 win against Lone Peak, where freshman midfielder Kellen Torina claimed MVP honors for his exceptional 70% face-off control. Now, the team gears up for spring break in San Diego, CA, ready to take on St. Augustine and Poway.
No. 8 Judge Memorial – Coach Brzoska boasts a 4-2 record with a team of standout athletes, including seven talented sophomores and four reliable upperclassmen. However, if there's one player to highlight, it's goalie Connor Knight (#25), who made the switch to lacrosse goalie just over a year ago and has since become a pivotal player for the team. Brzoksa explains how Knight “has devoted himself to the sport and his team…the strides he has made are incredible and is turning into one of the best in the state”.
Game Recap: The Bulldogs took to California over the weekend, facing Huntington Beach and Trabuco Hills. Despite a loss to Huntington Beach on Thursday (12-7), they secured a W against Trabuco Hills (14-11) in Mission Viego, CA, ending the trip on a high note. Coach Brzoska highlighted the trip's focus on team bonding and growing the future as a team, emphasizing the positive experiences gained from competitive matchups against similar-caliber teams.
No. 9 Farmington – Despite sliding down a spot in this week's poll, Coach Christian celebrates the depth of talent within the team, making it difficult to single out just a few standout athletes, but, seniors Brady Wallace (#25), Dominic Coats (#1), and Dante Coats (#2 pictured below), alongside freshman Kai Beynon (#11), and junior Zach Moore (#8) shine as notable contributors, showcasing their skills and leadership on the field. Farmington starts this next week with a 3-2 record.
Game Recap: In their game against the Davis Darts on Thursday, the Farmington boys suffered a close 6-8 loss, showing a consistent scoring effort with goals across all quarters. Senior Tyler Jacobs (#9) dominated in the midfield, with an impressive 77% faceoff win rate, while sophomore Brandon Barrus (#29) stood tall in goal with 11 crucial saves, highlighting their strong performances despite the outcome of the game.
No. 10 Roy – Coach Zach of the Royals boys highlights the key players driving the team's success this season. Junior Gage Wright (#24) leads the offense with his scoring and playmaking abilities, while captain Kelton Wright (#11) and Cash Colohan (#21) anchor the defense with their leadership and defensive prowess. With a blend of experienced upperclassmen and talented newcomers like freshman Tyler Dickson (#12), supported by standout SSDMs Trey Bridge (#0) and Hayden Hansen (#2), and stellar goaltending from Hank Mullen (#42), the team is firing on all cylinders and poised for a successful season.
Game Recap: Roy played Sky View on Wednesday, where the team made a narrow 9-8 victory, with Trey Bridge earning MVP for his game-changing caused turnover that he received an assist on the same play which turned into the game tying goal. Despite a neck-and-neck battle throughout the game, the team's perseverance paid off as they secured the winning goal in the final quarter. Coach reflects on the game, emphasizing the importance of hard work and determination. In Friday's game against Logan, the team dominated with a resounding 24-1 win, with Tyler Dickson standing out as MVP for his impressive 5-goal performance, while Coach acknowledges Logan's resilience despite facing challenges losing key players before the game.
Men’s College Lacrosse
Utah Utes: Last week we shared how important the game Saturday @ Jacksonville would be for Utah. The Utes agreed. Utah came out falling behind 1-0 in the opening minutes before reeling off a 7-0 run through the first quarter. Stines and Hyde each scored a pair in the first quarter as Utah led 7-2 after the first.
The Utes offense was crisp and active, the defense was tenacious and physical and Lenskold was locked in making huge saves from close (he had 6 saves at half). One such play was mid-way in the second quarter, with the shot clock winding down, a long pass found Jordan Hyde right in front of the crease, as he went 5-hole to beat the J-Ville keep, one of his 5 first half goals. Utah assisted on 7 of their 11 first half goals. Jacksonville made a late push, but a couple late defensive plays kept this an 11-5 Utah lead at the half.
Jacksonville came out in the second half with purpose, killing off a man-down, and then scoring three straight goals to get to within 3 before Utah had an answer, including a man-up goal from Bradbury as Utah kept the distance, leading 15-9 through three quarters.
In the fourth, Jacksonville made it interesting. The Dolphins scored 5 unanswered goals to get to within 1. Lenskold had a huge save in the final minutes to keep Utah in front and give the Utes the possession. A critical timeout kept the possession with Utah, and Stines would score on the empty net as the Utes picked up a huge road conference win 16-14.
The win improves Utah to 5-4 and 3-1 in conference play. Utah returns home this week to hos Robert Morris in ASUN play at Ute Field. The game will be Friday at 6pm.
Westminster Griffins: The Griffins had a pair of home games this week, hosting Adams State on Thursday and Colorado State Pueblo on Saturday. Despite giving up the first two goals, Westminster’s offense found its surge in a 7-0 run in the second quarter, closing out the half with a 14-2 lead. The Griffins sailed to a 20-6 win over the visiting Grizzlies. Daxton Jenson and Tate Craig each finished with 4 goals.
On Saturday Westminster hosted winless CSU-Pueblo and cruised to a 25-2 dominating win. The 19th ranked Griffins didn’t allow a goal until the fourth quarter, and eight different Griffins scored in the dominating win. Boden Laforce had 4 assists and a game-high 6 points.
Next week Westminster will host Concordia University Irvine, Saturday, April 7 at Dumke Field.
MCLA Action
Division I
#1 BYU was back at home for the first time in three weeks as they hosted Utah Tech in their conference opening. The top-ranked Cougars looked comfortable as they sailed to a 15-2 win over the Trailblazers. Easton Wilkey posted an impressive .857 save percentage, while cade Kirschner had 4 goals to help pace BYU to the win. The Cougars improve to 9-0 on the season.
BYU will be on a bye this week.
Utah was back at home hosting Boise State this week. The Utes fell to the Broncos 18-8. Stats were not reported at the time of publication.
Utah will open conference play Monday, April 1 vs Utah Tech, and will remain at home for a contest Saturday against Colorado State.
#5 Utah Valley had a bye week this week, and that will continue this week.
UVU will open up conference play @ Colorado State and @ Colorado this week on Thursday, Apr 11 and Saturday, Apr 13 respectively.
Division II
#22 Utah State was not in action this week as they enjoyed a bye week.
Utah State will host Wyoming in conference play Saturday, April 6
Bust out your skates! Lacrosse on Ice, April 6th, $10 fee sign up HERE
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