Not even a growing snowstorm could slow down the Miners boys lacrosse team on Tuesday as they opened their season with a 7-6 win over Lone Peak.
The 6A opponent walked onto a snow-covered Dozier Field with a 3-1 record, only for Park City to take it to them from the jump. Park City took a 2-0 lead into the second quarter and a 5-1 one into the halftime break.
The Miners would later squander this massive advantage, playing the final minutes of the fourth quarter with that 7-6 lead.
Sophomore Wyatt Knapp led the scoring onslaught for the defending state champs. Knapp shot and he scored Tuesday, putting in four goals on four shots.
Knapp’s head coach Michael Persky needs players like him to bring it this season. His squad saw 85% of their offensive production walk out the door at the end of last season with graduation.
“Wyatt was on the varsity as a freshman,” Persky said. “Didn’t see very much time at all, worked hard over the summer and came back. … First game, he started at midfield, and he scored four goals for us. It’s a pretty terrific story and a great tribute to him.”
Persky wasn’t as thrilled with the rest of the boys, many of whom he didn’t think played to their high potentials. He acknowledged the probability of first-game jitters however, going up against part of their brutal non-region schedule.
Further underclassmen contributors were Sam Gould and Max Gordon. Gould had two assists against the Knights, and Gordon tended the net in the second half and is credited with the win.
Senior AJ Salianoff was the goaltender in the first half, only seeing one shot sneak by him.
“We’re telling them that a win is a win,” Persky said. “Going to have to play better to beat some of the better teams in the division. … Lot of guys playing varsity for the first time, and some guys stood up and played well.”
The next step in developing this youthful roster will be hitting the practice field hard. Senior defensemen Tripp Hopkins referred to the early season as a learning process.
Hopkins picked up two loose balls and created four takeaways in the win. He said his defensive unit can improve, however, by working on execution, stickwork and communication in upcoming practices.
“I’m happy with the win,” Hopkins said. “It’s all a learning process. … I love the snow, I love playing at Dozier, I love playing in front of the fans.”
The Park City fans had their same trademark enthusiasm that rings throughout football, soccer and basketball games. They yelled “Let’s go City!” throughout much of the game, ratcheting up their energy when one player told the team’s bench that the opposing bench was supporting their guys with more fervor.
The Miners and their fans will be back in action on Friday as the team takes on Farmington. That game will begin at Dozier at 7 p.m.
The team is hosting five-straight home games to begin the year, having been able to plow winter snowfall of the turf into massive piles behind the endzones.
Persky believes this young team will reach their full potential as the season winds along. They decided to remain in 5A with stiffer competition, despite Park City’s other teams taking a step down into 4A this year.
“We’re worthy of the competition,” Persky said. “It’s where you are at the end of the season that really counts.”