The County Times
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Knights Continue Hot Streak, Coast To Win Over Ireton
Sports Briefs Travel Ice Hockey Tryouts Coming Shortly Tryouts for Southern Maryland Sabres travel ice hockey teams will be held at the Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Md. Sunday 4/27/08 - Sunday 5/4/08. All age groups are encouraged to attend: Squirts (1998, 1999), Peewees (1996, 1997), Bantams (1994, 1995), U16 (1992, 1993) and U18 (1990, 1991). Proof of age and USA Hockey Registration is required. Tryout Fees: $65. Visit www.somdsabres. org or call/email Christine Schubert (301-392-6323, etslcb@verizon.net, subject: Sabres Tryouts) for additional information.
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer LEONARDTOWN – With the bull’s eye squarely on the back of the St. Mary’s Ryken boys’ lacrosse team this season, the Knights have risen to the challenge, most recently with a 17-4 win over Bishop Ireton Friday afternoon, their fourth straight win and sixth overall on the 2008 season. The Knights are 4-0 in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, and combined with last years’s 8-0 record and conference title, the Knights have not lost a regular season WCAC game since 2006. “We played like a team, we moved the ball around extremely well,” said Knights coach John Sothoron. “We’re getting better each game. That’s our goal.” A concern for Sothoron this season has been the defensive side of the field. “We have a young defense, but they’re getting better all the time,” he said. In the win over Bishop, however, defense was an afterthought. After an eight-goal outburst in the first period, the Knights were never seriously challenged. Sophomore Brian Frank was key in the faceoff circle. Taking over for the injured Evan Ryan – out for the season with an ACL injury – in the previous week’s victory over Gonzaga, Frank dominated at midfield by winning the face-offs, and giving Ryken multiple possessions,
Photo By Chris Stevens
The Braves’ Jake Schmidt looks towards the net Thursday afternoon.
of Guy, who upped his goal total to 31 on the season with Thursday’s outburst. “Our guys even hate to practice against him.” The rebuilding Hornets (0-7 overall, 0-5 in SMAC play) saw why Boyle was able to make that statement, as Guy snuck into places that did not seem possible and fired shot after shot behind Hornet goalkeeper John Stokes, who otherwise did a fantastic job, according the first-year head coach Arturo Leon. “I guess I’m spoiled because I get to watch him do
Captain Dave Compton, a retired charter boat captain, will speak on “Live-Lining and Unlocking the Secrets of the Lower Bay and the Potomac” at the April 23 meeting of the Patuxent River Chapter, Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge #2092, 45779 Fire Department Lane, California. Compton ran charters focusing on the Potomac River and Lower Chesapeake for more than 20 years before retiring. He also has written articles on fishing the Chesapeake Bay for outdoor magazines. The meeting is free and open to
See Chopticon Lacrosse page B-
See Sports Briefs page B-
The Right Guy For The Job Senior’s Six Goals Lifts Chopticon Over Hornets By Chris Stevens Staff Writer MORGANZA – While the Chopticon boys’ lacrosse team’s Mike Boyle was not completely pleased with his team’s effort in their 10-7 Southern Maryland Athletic Conference win over Great Mills Thursday afternoon, he did see a bright spot in the play of senior attacker Chas Guy, who found the back of the net six times for the Braves, who moved to 6-0 for the first time in the program’s history. “He’s sneaky, miserable to play against,” Boyle said
which usually ended in a goal. Brett Schmidt led the charge with four goals, while Addison Goodley added three and Zack Angel, Bryant Schmidt, Patrick Brennan and Frank each added two more for the Knights. Sothoron was very pleased with the play of Frank in such a pressurepacked position. “He did a tremendous job, he
Potomac, Lower Bay Fishing To Highlight CCA Meeting
Braves Struggle For Hits Early Young Team Still Finding Their Way
See Ryken Lacrosse page B-
Photo By Chris Stevens
Chopticon’s Gabbee Gibson swings through a pitch in Monday afternoon’s SMAC softball game at Calvert High School.
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer
Photo By Chris Stevens
Brett Schmidt led the way with four goals as the Knights won their fourth straight game Friday afternoon.
PRINCE FREDERICK – As with any team in any sport that is experiencing a youth movement, you can be sure to find at least one part of their game that needs improvement. For Chopticon softball coach Antone Smith, it’s quite clear what the Braves’ primary problem is. “You can’t score runs if you don’t get hits,” Smith said after Chopticon was defeated by Calvert High School
10-0 in a five-inning game Monday afternoon. “That’s been my goal, for the girls to make contact and get hits. You can’t win ball games if you don’t hit.” The Braves (1- 6 overall and in SMAC play) avoided a no-hitter when senior catcher Lauren Davis slapped a single down the right field line in the top of the fifth. Other than that, the Braves, who did not have a single scrimmage in preseason practice, are still trying to get used to playing together, which Smith gives them credit for.
“The girls work really well together, they’ve fought through negativity and they play hard,” he says. Aside from Davis, the Braves start several underclassmen in key positions, including sophomore pitcher Holly Ardnt (struck out three batters in five innings work) and junior centerfielder Shaina Milby, who made a running, leaping grab in the bottom of the third that saved more runs from coming across the board. See Softball page B-