The Lakers have the city abuzz, “March Madness” is upon us, and the World Baseball Classic has us breaking out our Dodger blue.
In all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook the fact that lacrosse season has begun.
If you never have seen a game, why not head on out to Culver City High School and catch the action of one of the fastest growing sports in America.
The Centaurs play two home games this week, Tuesday at 6 o’clock against Mira Costa, and Friday at 5 o’clock against Malibu. Most home games are played Tuesday and Thursday nights, with the junior varsity at 4 and the varsity at 6. Go to culvercitylacrosse.com for more information.
The price is right. Admission is free. The action is frenetic, with frequent scoring and friendly, enthusiastic fans who will be happy to explain the interesting rules and dynamics of the game.
Not that they’ll always get it right, but they are proud of their Centaurs who lost a season opening squeaker, 9 to 8, to San Deguieto Academy in Encinitas, and then followed with four straight wins.
Getting Even
After that disappointing close encounter, the boys were not content to leave the San Diego area without vindication. Rather efficiently, they took care of business by defeating Helix Charter High, 9 to 4, the next afternoon.
Closer to home, the young men of Culver High found themselves on the lovely campus of the Brentwood School where, dazed by the tranquility, they gave up two easy first quarter goals.
Then senior middie Connor Nannini broke the trance with a shot from the top of the box to put Culver on the board.
Senior attackman Andy Campos followed with the first of his three goals, and along with five assists, he inspired his teammates to join in on the scoring frenzy.
When all was said and done Culver City left Brentwood with an even deeper appreciation of the scenic confines and an 11 to 6 victory. Other Centaur contributors included: senior Jason Mair (2 goals, 2 assists), junior Alek Fabijanek (2 goals), senior Oscar Lopez (1 goal, 1 assist), junior Matt Better (1 goal) and senior Carl Smith (1 goal).
Pretty Onesided
On Wednesday. the lads traveled to the West Valley to meet up with the New Jewish Community High School.
I must confess that I was not up for the parade of taillights on the 405 Freeway, and I did not attend this late afternoon match up. Culver’s defense was unyielding from all reports, and goalie Phillip Beer did not give up a single goal in a 13 to 0 shutout.
Friday evening the Centaurs played their first league and home game of the season against Chadwick. In front of a lively crowd of students and parents, the visitors from Palos Verdes scored first, which seemed to fire up the Centaur defense.
Andrew Baird, Chris Rigsby, and Marceel Marchena, in combo with Matt Gima and the rotating shifts of midfielders, shut down the Chadwick offense with hard checks, harassing stick work and solid clearing passes.
The potent Culver City offense took over and pounded the net with goals while Oscar Lopez owned the face-off circle, resulting in a 14 to 5 victory for the home team.
Once agai,n Andy Campos led the way with 5 goals and 2 assists. Alek Fabijanek scored a hat trick with 3 goals and 3 assists. Carl Smith (2 goals, 1 assist), Jason Mair (1 goal, 2 assists), senior Austin Dupuy (1 goal, 2 assists), seniors John Madden and Oscar Lopez (1 goal each), rounded out the scoring.
