On March 28, the boys’ lacrosse team faced off here at home against the Elyria Catholic Panthers, dominating on the field and winning 15-3 with six goals from senior Malachai Davis, five from senior Ian Molinski, two from senior Michael Burke, and two from senior Bukuru Bafukamire. With this win, the boys continue early into the spring season, going 2-1.
The stands at Garfield Middle School were filled with fans, friends, and family there to support the boys on the field. Cheers echoed through the stands as the Rangers scored against the Panthers. The presence from the stand added to the excitement of the game and filled the boys with energy to keep pushing toward a win on the field.
“I genuinely love the sport, team, and coaches,” goalie Franky Revy said. “I feel good when I play. I try to play the best I can so I feel the best I can.”
After their big win on Friday, the boys played again on Monday, March 31, away, securing another win against the Cardinal Mooney Huskies with a score of 15-7. As of that game, Senior Malachai Davis holds the Lakewood High School record for the number of goals in a single game, as he scored nine against the Huskies.
“On Friday the team played very comfortably, we scored a lot through our attackmen Malachai Davis and Michael Burke, they led us in points, and it gave us a nice advantage,” head coach Michael Comiono said. “On Monday we got a little lazy during the second half, we were up by nine in the first half but then we took our foot off the gas. Cardinal Mooney was a lot more of a physical team, it threw us off guard a little bit, but they were able to finish out the game with a win.”
This is Lakewood’s third year offering lacrosse as a sport at the high school, having started back up two years ago in the spring of 2023. Starting lacrosse at the high school has opened up many new opportunities for students.
“After being cut from the basketball team and not having another sport to do, I joined lacrosse,” Revy said.
Lacrosse is a fast-moving sport, just like others here at Lakewood. Running up and down a field either made up of grass or turf. Lacrosse is a mix of different sports. It is known for its intensity, speed, and physicality, with players checking opposing teammates with their sticks. The game requires strong hand-eye coordination and quick decision-making as the game is played with a hard rubber lacrosse ball the size of a baseball and the “crosse” which is the stick used to play with a netted end to catch the ball.
“The most important aspects to us as a team, specifically to us, is communicating and everyone doing their job; we don’t want guys to try and play outside of themselves,” Comiono said. “We want them to play within our system and our style of play along with trusting each other.”
“I’ve played well and the team is on a good path but there’s still room for improvement,” senior lacrosse captain Malachai Davis said.
The team worked together effortlessly throughout both games, displaying strong communication and teamwork on the field. Every player on the field did their part, and the offense came out strong with powerful passes, which prevented the Panthers and the Huskies from scoring. Defensively, the team worked together as a unit, not allowing the Panthers and Huskies to gain momentum on the Rangers. The boy’s teamwork and cohesiveness throughout the games helped them come out on top, scoring 15 points for each.
“The hardest thing for me the last two games has been getting scored on and having to move right on to the next play,” Revy said.
Even though the Rangers came out on top twice with strong wins, that does not mean there isn’t room for them to continue improving. Each practice, the team works on refining their skills and enhancing their techniques on the field. The boys’ dedication is shown at every moment, pushing their limits, and building strong connections and communications.
“I want to continue to get my teammates involved,” Davis said.
“We work through difficult moments during the games with our captains, they know what the expectation is,” Comiono said. “It starts with the leadership in the play with our captains, Camden, Avery, Malachai, and Gavin, those guys set the time and the rest of the guys follow. It’s also vocally too, those guys pick up the rest of the team.”
Every day is an opportunity for improvement and growth while building a tough mentality. Whether it’s out on the field with fatigue, something a player said during the game, or you are going through your day-to-day life and have a game later on, lacrosse requires players to not only be physically sharp and ready for anything to happen, but also mentally ready for anything.
“I try my best to keep a clear head throughout the day to stay focused during the game,” Davis said.
The boy’s lacrosse team will play again this week, home, at Garfield Middle School on Saturday, April 5, against the Chardon Hilltoppers. Come down by the tracks and cheer on our boys as they continue on with their spring 2025 lacrosse season.
