The Wood River High School Warriors lacrosse team is having a breakout second season.
After a disappointing 1-10 campaign last year, the team has been bolstered by new players, enthusiasm, and support from the Wood River High athletic department, directed by Ron Martinez. The Warriors beat Vallivue this past weekend by a score of 7-3.
After seven games, the Warriors are now boasting a 5-2 record, recently augmented by a home win over Vallivue this past weekend in Hailey.
Many of the teams the Warriors face are in programs ranging from five to eight years old. For a team still in its infancy, the Warriors are starting to assert themselves as a power in Idaho lacrosse.
Two games were played on Homer Field in Hailey this past weekend. For the Warriors, playing on the school's center stage was huge, according to head coach Doug Cooper who added that the home field was "encouraging" for his players and "gives them acceptance."
The second game was a scrimmage of sorts, with Wood River fielding mostly junior high school players. These sixth, seventh, and eighth graders had a chance to taste live competition.
Against Vallivue's varsity squad, many players contributed to the 7-3 Warrior win. On defense, an unheralded but important position, Travis Risner had "an excellent game," said Cooper. Risner also led the team in ground ball recoveries.
Helping Risner on defense was James Hansen's physical play and Jason Syms' quality clears. Kjell Ooms, Alex Burwell, and Soren Ireland were also strong on defense.
On offense, Stevie Rosso was the team's leading scorer with three goals. Offense was well distributed overall as Jeff Conover, Travis Amick, Noah Lindley, and Matt Jost each scored once.
A mark of any good lacrosse team is how many assists accompany the goals. Assists, as in hockey, are a sign of a well integrated lacrosse team that is passing fluidly and successfully.
"On seven goals, we had six assists, which is really good," said Cooper.
Chris Bailet, Brandon Brocklebank, and Lindley each had two assists. This was, according to Cooper, "indicative of constant passing and play and a sign of the guys playing together as a fine team."
The Warriors have their final game of the season Sunday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. against Centennial High in Boise.
