The second season of lacrosse at Colton-Pierrepont certainly has captured the imagination of students, parents, and the community.  In just our second season of competition in this growing sport, the boys modified lacrosse team captured a victory and two ties, eclipsing what many would have expected this early in our program’s history.  Last year in our first season we struggled often times to even compete with most of the teams we played.  This past season on the other hand was filled with highlights and exciting moments, and all those involved will not soon forget it.

      In our first game of the season we battled with the Massena Red Raiders of Class A and held our own for much of the game.  The game would eventually go all the way to overtime with the teams deadlocked at 3 goals apiece.   Although the game ended in a tie it was more than a moral victory for our young program, it was the first tie in our history.  Finally we realized we could compete on the same level as some of the other schools and this boost of confidence would lead us throughout the rest of the season.  We would play Massena again only to tie them once more, we battled against a tough Salmon River team and came out feeling good about ourselves losing two tough contests.  On the turf at Potsdam High School we would struggle early on only to battle back and play tough for three quarters, and only until we played Ogdensburg Free Academy did we actually feel overwhelmed all season.

      The highlight of our season came against Canton Central School, one of the proudest traditions of lacrosse in all of New York State.  The first time we took on the Golden Bears at home we saw a late lead slip away into defeat eventually in overtime.  We knew that after so many close chances our first victory was within reach.  It would happen on Friday, May 8^th at Canton Central School with a number of proud parents and community members looking on as we defeated the Golden Bears 7-5.   History had been made!  The first lacrosse victory in Colton-Pierrepont Colts history in just our second season!  This victory was more than just our first time on the winning side in a contest, it was a stepping stone for the future.  Whenever schools begin new programs and must compete against schools that have been playing for years it is always a challenge.  This victory really pumped even more adrenaline into a program that has seen record sign-ups among modified and youth groups. 

      We hope that Colton-Pierrepont will continue to work hard in everything it does and grow together around this new sport.  Our student-athletes have shown their passion for it and hopefully we can keep it going and keep improving in the years to come.   Thank you to all the parents for everything you did this year as well as for the kind words and support this season.  I know you had as much fun as we did this year!

Modified Roster ‘09

Dan Knight  Nick Rycroft   Alex Harcourt  Scott Boyce Alex Bonno  Cody Green   Dustin LaValley  Nick Vaccaro Tim Rapczynski  Gyle Dominy   Andrew Holden  Torin Gravlin Joe Coon  Nick Avery   Brent Hoyt  Jonathan Porter Jordan Porter  Jacob Angleberger  Isaiah Johnson  Bruce Avery  Hunter Farr  Craig Miller   Kira Skelly  Isaiah Newton

The second year of varsity competition saw continued growth for the Colton-Pierrepont varsity Lacrosse team.  Another year without a win did not define the strides made by this group of young men.  The gap of lacrosse talent is beginning to close as more and more student athletes at CPCS play, watch, and learn the game.  The cross over from other sports is continuing to pay off as we can see from our younger levels.

This year’s team had just two seniors who will be leaving the lacrosse field at CPCS.  Though only two athletes, they will be missed for their leadership, character, and athletic ability.  Alex Ensby anchored the Colts defense and was the recipient of a Section X All Northern Lacrosse Award.  He was a shut down defender who always matched the opposing top offensive player.  Our other key senior who will be greatly missed is David Avery.  David is a coach’s dream.  He is an athlete who leads by example and has an infectious work ethic and is coachable.  David received the Section X Sportsmanship Award and earned the Shane Lynch Memorial Coaches Award for 2009.  Dave was a key “grind it out” type lacrosse player, one that new programs are born from.  Both Alex and Dave have the athletic ability and lacrosse skills to play at the next level.  Whether they continue to play for their respective college teams remains to be seen.  However, as a coach, to know that the option to play at the next level is there for the players makes the instruction we provide for lacrosse worth the time and effort.

Overall progress continues for our lacrosse program.  Opposing coaches and referees are pleasantly surprised by the improvements made by our players and teams.  The lacrosse “experts” say new programs are on a five to seven year learning curve.  I would argue the Colts are ahead of the curve at this time.

There are lacrosse components that we still need to learn.  It is important that our athletes take advantage of playing opportunities in our community and the surrounding area.  The question I leave to every athlete in the CPCS system is at the end of the day ask yourself, “Did I do everything today to become a better athlete, more educated person, and a more productive citizen?”  This three part question will not only make our teams more competitive, but lay the foundation to make a better community.

Coach Nee

Lacrosse is a new sport to Colton-Pierrepont.  If you have questions about the game, the link to the right may be able to answer some of those questions.