Andy Langendorf knows what kind of a team he has in this year’s Park City High School boys’ lacrosse team. And, for the Miners to push through a tough end-of-the-season schedule, the Park City head coach says his players must be willing to accept the challenge ahead of them.
“We’re a role-playing team,” he said. “Everybody needs to show up and everybody needs to show up and do their job effectively and efficiently.”
The Miners did exactly that Saturday when they trounced visiting Timpanogos 14-6 at Dozier Field. The victory, Langendorf said, was a great tune-up for his team that will face Judge Memorial and Skyline — two top-of-the-line teams in Utah high school lacrosse — in its final two regular-season games.
In fall ball, Langendorf said, Timpanogos beat the Miners soundly.
On Saturday, Park City returned the favor.
Carson Dutkanych spearheaded the Miner attack with four goals and one assist, while Ben Harries chipped in two goals and three assists. Bennett Jonas and Colin Roberson finished with two goals each, while Rufus Frost, Christian Pompoco, Kolton Atkinson and Alex Boyle each pitched in one goal.
“That was a big game and we approached it that way,” Langendorf said. “We had the luxury of time to heal up and prepare. We had a week of really hard practices where we pushed the guys really hard. When we stepped on the field, we said, ‘We’re ready to go.’ We took control of the game early and we never lost control at any point in time.”
The resounding victory helped in the Miners’ quest for a playoff spot, and it also helped show Park City how it compares to one of its future opponents. According to Langendorf, Timpanogos played Judge in a tough overtime loss just a few days before being bounced by the Miners.
While the Miners face a tough ending to the regular season, Park City’s head coach said he is trying to keep his players focused on what they ultimately want to achieve.
“What I’ve told the guys is, I want them to have a clear view of what’s in front of them,” he said. “We’ve revisited our expectations and what our goals are. I think the game-by-game, quarter-by-quarter attitude is good, but I want there to be a means to an end.
“People have got to show up and do their job. When we’re all linked together, we’re powerful. When we have one link break apart, we fall apart.”
Langendorf said the recurring example of role players stepping up at crucial points came up again in Saturday’s win when senior Adam Klawe had one of his best games so far this season.
“He played an exceptional game; he led the team in groundballs and was solid,” he said of Klawe. “Battling in the middle of the field is where the game is won and lost.”
Because of the victory Saturday, Langendorf said his team no longer has the luxury to sneak up on other teams in the state. He said coaches from Judge Memorial and Skyline were in attendance during Park City’s win over Timpanogos, scouting out the Miners.
That assessment was evident once again Monday when the Miners defeated visiting Olympus 8-7 Monday evening. The win upped Park City’s regular-season record to 8-5.
“Everybody knows who we are now,” he said. “We’re not the old Park City.”
With the biggest games of the season looming in back-to-back outings, the Miners are ready to tackle the challenge head on.
“That’s why the coaches coach, and why the players play,” Langendorf said. “This is why we grind.”
Friday’s home game against Judge is schedule for 5 p.m. at Quinn’s Junction, while Tuesday’s regular-season finale against Skyline is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Dozier Field.