Welcome back to Lacrosse Iowa!  A little more than a week has passed since my last post, but it feels like longer than that…  I am looking forward to the increased exposure for this blog – and lacrosse in Iowa as a whole – thanks to the updates and changes to Lacrosse All Stars.  Now that our posts will appear on the main page, I once again invite representatives from Iowa-based programs to contact me.

Now, on to business.

Last night the 2011-2012 Central Iowa Lacrosse Association Box Lacrosse League hosted its first ever open pick up games following a lengthy holiday break.  The first time slot saw nearly 40 players come out.  Some were already league members, some were former players on break from college, and others had never played in the indoor game.  It got to be a bit crowded at times and there was about as much goofing as of as there was playing, but overall everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.  The second time slot saw a mass exodus; only nine guys stuck around (including myself).  Taking a cue from my roller hockey days, we threw garbage cans in the cage (which took up quite a bit of space, surprisingly) and played a four on five game.  A third pick up game was held this Thursday, but only a handful of people showed up…

Cyclones 15, Dragons 3

This week also saw the league return to action with a single game between the Cyclones and the Dragons.  With a full roster and an undefeated record, everything was in the Cyclones’ favor.  The Dragons only managed to arrive with one substitute and a single win.  Many of the Dragons did participate in last week’s pick up games, which they hoped would give them a little boost.

Opening Face Off

And it did, at least initially.  The Cyclones scored an early goal, but were then stonewalled by a determined Fitch.  The Dragons’ keeper was on fire throughout the first period, making saves that left Cyclones players absolutely bewildered.  Unfortunately the Dragons offense was not having the same luck as they struggled to move the ball up the field.  A salient effort by the elusive Scrimmager ending in a jump shot finally brought the teams level about midway through the first.

By the time the second period rolled around, the Cyclones had shaken off the rust and were firing like a well oiled machine.  At the same time, the Dragons’ short bench started to take its toll.  Before long the Cyclones were tearing up the field and exploiting their opponents tired legs.  Despite picking up a few penalties along the way, the Cyclones plowed over the exhausted Dragons.

This game was the Cyclones last of the regular season.  Once again they finished with a perfect record (including a forfeit victory).  This makes them the number one seed on January 26, where they will have a rematch with the Dragons by virtue of the latter team’s loss to the Bulldogs.  That game is scheduled for 8:00 pm on January 26.

Next week, the Dragons will face the Tigers as both teams wrap up their season.  By virtue of goal differential, the Tigers have been eliminated from the playoffs, but will be playing for pride.  The late game features a rematch between the Aces and the Bulldogs.  The Aces secure the number two seed with a win; the Bulldogs would a sizable to win to overcome the goal differential between the teams.  In reality, it is a moot point as the teams will be facing each other in the January 26 semi-final regardless of this game’s outcome.  The seeding will have minimal affect on the playoff game…