Houston, No Problem for Blue Jay Lacrosse

Posted February 15, 2016 / Last updated February 18, 2016

Junior Michael Smart (32) successfully keeps the ball away from a Strake Jesuit defender. The Blue Jays emerged victorious, 13-9. The game was played in Houston on Saturday, Feb. 13. Photo courtesy of Bryant Faust.

Just two weeks after busing to Dallas for a five-game tournament, the Blue Jay lacrosse team packed its bags to play a pair of games in Houston. The Blue Jays won both.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, the Jays defeated Strake Jesuit, 13-9. Junior Noah Martin led the attack with six goals and two assists. Junior Michael Smart scored three times, while senior Connor Martinez found the back of the net twice. Seniors Max Murret and Kent Flower added single goals of their own.

The defensive effort was led by senior Gray Cressy who picked up six ground balls. The aforementioned Martin scooped up five ground balls. Seniors Dominic Sunseri and Taylor Anderson had three apiece.

The Jays won 12 of 26 face-offs. Senior goalie Rob Hinyub saved a dozen shots in crease.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, the Jays outplayed Friendswood, another Texas team, 13-5.

Martin was a key factor in the second game, too, scoring three goals and assisting on another. Smart matched Martin’s three goals, while Murret and Sunseri each had two. Murret added two assists to the score sheet. Junior Briggs Lucia, Flower, and Cressy — a defender — scored single goals. Cressy led the team in groundballs with eight.

“It’s the best I’ve seen Gray play,” said Jesuit head coach Steve Krobert ’05. “Undoubtedly playing against tough competition in Texas has prepared us well for district play back home.”

The Jays get back on the bus this weekend to play Loyola of Shreveport and St. Thomas More in Lafayette. Both games are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20.

Galleries

Lacrosse, Houston Tournament, Feb. 12-14, 2016

Junior midfielder Bennett Faust wins control of a face off to start the game against Strake Jesuit.
Junior midfielder Parker Simoneaux breaks free from a defender and races down the sideline.
Junior attacker Noah Martin circles behind the goal as he prepares to set up a play.
Junior attacker Michael Smart works his way around a defender.
The ball heads for the top of the goal as Senior attacker Max Murret scores for the Blue Jays.
After scoring his first of three goals in the game, Michael Smart (32) thanks senior attacker Kent Flower (16) for an assist, and is congratulated by Max Murret (15).
Senior defender Sammy Martin applies pressure to an opponent.
Coaches address the team as they discussing maintaining their lead through the second half.
Senior long stick midfielder Taylor Anderson feeds the ball to an attacker.
Max Murret takes a hit to the shoulder from a defender.
Sophomore midfielder Aidan Roberts weaves his way through the opposing defense.
Noah Martin struggles to keep his balance.
Junior midfielder Jack Cronvich looks for an open teammate as the Jays work the ball around the crease.
Junior defender William Crumley stands ready to challenge an attacker following a turnover.
Michael Smart launches another shot on goal.
Sophomore long stick midfielder Andrew Burnside applies tight pressure to an opponent as the Jays hold off a second half rally by Strake.
Noah Martin watched the ball sail into the net as he scores his sixth goal of the game.
Strake Jesuit hosted a Texas barbecue dinner for the teams and their parents following the game.
Assistant coach Saban Sellers, who was an outstanding offensive player for St. Thomas More, discusses defensive strategies with junior goalie Grant Stevens during warm ups for the game against Friendswood. Sellers joined Jesuit's coaching staff this season.
Junior midfielder Bennett Faust wins the opening face off.
Senior defender Grey Cressy crosses midfield and scores for the Jays against Friendwsood.
Senior midfielder Connor Martinez looks upfield for an open teammate.
Senior attacker Max Murret is sandwiched between the opponent's goalie and a defender.
Senior midfielder Dominic Sunseri chases the ball after a turnover. Sunseri recovered two ground balls and scored twice in the game.
Sophomore midfielder William Simon follows thorough on a pass to teammate Dominic Sunseri, as assistant coach Andrew Scott '13 looks on from the sideline.
Junior attacker Noah Martin charges through a defender as he drives toward the goal.
After finding an opening in the defense, junior attacker Michael Smart launches a shot toward the goal.
Sophomore long stick midfielder Andrew Burnside (33) comes up to challenge an opponent as senior long stick midfielder Taylor Anderson (3) and senior goalie Rob Hinyub (7) stand ready on defense.
A defender unleashes a legal (hands together) check to the side of senior midfielder Kyle Westholz.
Senior defender Paul Gelpi recovers a ground ball and leads the team back onto the offensive side of the field.
Junior midfielder Jack Cronvich cautiously watches an opponent near mid field.
Junior defender Dieter Hugel applies a poke check to an opponent.
Coaches Steve Krobert '05 and Nick Helenski look on as the action moves toward the sideline.
Senior attacker Josh Cvitanovich feeds the ball to a teammate.
Junior attacker Briggs Lucia prepares to take hits from both sides
Briggs Lucia (8) thanks teammate Noah Martin for the assist after scoring a goal late in the game.
Junior attacker Jeremy Hamilton works the ball around the field as the Jays try to protect their lead.
The Blue Jays raise their sticks in victory.