Lacrosse Update

I'm going to talk a little lacrosse, and then update with more Houston picture in the next post, which should be this weekend. It's a long weekend so I really have no excuse. :)

To refresh your memory, last year was Lucas's first season of lacrosse. Although he had a great time, his team lost every single game. EVERY. ONE. So from a parent's standpoint, it was painful to watch (sometimes quite literally as it's a rough game), but he liked it enough that he wanted to play again this year.

Game 1, which was two weeks ago, started the season with a bang as they beat the other team 8-0. It was just a total domination offensively and defensively. Then the next week, they won big again, 8-3. So it was a complete turnaround from last year.

Last night was their third game of the season, and they were playing the #2 team. Both teams were 2-0, but Lucas's had a +13 goal differential, and I think the other one was +6. It turned out to be a good game with Lucas's team having an edge in shots on goal, but in the end they lost 8-4. Something about 8s this year, huh?

Now here is where I will put on my tinfoil hat and explain my conspiracy theory. Unlike hockey, in lacrosse they can rebalance the teams a few games into the season in order to keep it even. His team last year got a new kid, for all the good it did them so we know it could happen this year. In fact, during one of the breaks between periods in the first game, the coach told the kids (jokingly?) that they should stop scoring so much or the team would get broken up.

We have two kids on our team who are former competitive lacrosse players, and they provided a LOT of offense in our first two games. Last night, one of the boys couldn't make it--he plays competitive hockey as well--and the coach had the other boy play goalie. So neither of our top scorers were playing.

My theory is that Lucas's coach did this on purpose to make us look vulnerable with a big loss. To be fair, the team did pretty well even without them, but the other goalie and another former competitive player on the other team won it for them. I suspect if our team is untouched after any rebalancing, the next meeting between these teams will be a much different outcome.

Mind you, I don't mind if this is all part of the coach's plan. After losing every game last year, I would be all for them being undefeated. If a little gamesmanship at the beginning of the season is what we need, then so be it.

I'll keep you updated.