The combined U10 Hilltoppers and Santa Fe Lacrosse players and coaches celebrate another win in Salida. Photo by Megan Parton
Ronan and Korbin P. with Steven R., Rhys R., and Elijah M shine some well protected pearly whites (mouthguards are required for every game) as the tournament ends. Photo by Megan Parton
SPORTS News:
Last weekend, our U10 Hilltopper lacrosse team made their first of two out of state trips to compete in Colorado. With the delightful flow of the Arkansas River within eyeshot and under the watchful oversight of a nesting Red-Tailed Hawk, the team competed in four games over two days at grassy Marvin Park.
The Laxo de Mayo opener for the team pitted us against newly developed rivals, the Pueblo Heros. After nearly four quarters of physicality and relentless pursuits, a degree of “chippiness” surfaced resulting in the referees calling the game with less than 2 minutes left on the clock. We squeaked out a win, 9-8, but our ice pack reserve was severely depleted after this battle. Luckily our team was augmented by two dedicated Santa Fe athletes and their coach. This enabled us to be two players deep on the bench for much of the weekend.
Game two featured our first introduction to the state powerhouse West Elk team. With close to 10 available substitutions, their skills and capacity to rest were a bit too much of an edge for our team. Goalie Elijah Martinez had to use all available body parts to stop what he could, but it wasn’t enough. Luckily, the local Family Arcade hosted a free after party at which all feelings of remorse were quickly replaced with fun times and earning tickets towards fun toy merchandise.
Sunday morning, after a 1-1 Saturday, the boys were well equipped to compete against the hometown Salida team, featuring, again, a very large substitution bench. After two competitive romps, the Toppers ended the tournament with a 3-1 record. Of note this weekend, was an introduction to the cage by both Conner K. and Korbin P. These two first year players overcame the extremely normal “keeper nerves” of getting used to a hard rubber ball traveling at you at a high rate of speed from any direction. Both attacked the shots with ferocity. This player position-development is critical at the U10 level and positions players for more successful subsequent seasons, especially when leveling up to U12.
As mentioned earlier, one fun aspect of youth lacrosse is the ability to join another team for a game or even a tournament, as did two U12 players this weekend, when head counts are too low to register a team. Izzy Chacon and Rowan Rosenow joined forces with Salida and Pueblo’s U12 teams to wreak havoc against their challenging slate of CO-based teams. This cross-pollination helps develop players rapidly and enables flexibility by learning from new coaches and improving player readability by interacting with entirely new teams.
This May 10 weekend, the LAYLAX teams (U10, U12, U14 and Girls) will descend upon Balloon Fiesta Park to compete in the Duke City Bear hosted, LAX Fiesta. The U10 Championship whistle will blow at 11 a.m. Sunday. Come on down to learn more about lacrosse and to cheer on the team at our final New Mexico tournament of the 2025 season!
Details: https://www.abqyouthlax.com/page/show/4081453-albuquerque-lacrosse-fiesta
Coach Rosenow provides a quick reminder on a legal stick check height between quarters. Photo by Megan Parton
