CityView Magazine

sports The Fayetteville Flames T Lacrosse lights up Fayetteville By R.J. Minnick here is a lot of giggling on the field this afternoon. The sun is dropping al- 10-minute halftime, then another 25-minute second half. Like other sports, there are fouls and time-outs. The whismost as fast as the autumn leaves, but the air tle can stop play at any time. Lacrosse even has a 3-second is comfortable enough for the players wear- penalty similar to basketball. Each goal scores 1 point, with ing shorts. Coach Wes Davis has called a special November an average game score usually running around 7-13. Girls' practice. The giggling surges again as additional players lacrosse is primarily a non-contact sport, with checking come onto the field. Parents say all that giggling is one dif- (blocking one stick with another) allowed in varying deference between girls lacrosse and boys lacrosse. They point grees based on player ages. There is no checking at all at the to the girls adjusting goggles and mouthpieces, elementary level. Parent Rob Corzette (Lainey) putting on cleats and picking up their called boys and girls lacrosse "differsticks. That's another different as golf and football." Girls 3rd grade through ence: the amount and cost of Davis coaches girls High School can sign up for Lacrosse at Fayetteville Parks and Recreation/Kiwanis equipment. Girls' lacrosse with Lauren Bokmeyer centers between Jan 2 and Feb 21. is more a game of fithrough Fayetteville nesse and less a game Parks and Recreaof physical aggrestion/Kiwanis. Playsion than the boys'. ers range from age As the giggling 7 to 15. The team, subsides, however, known as the Fayplay turns serious, etteville Flames, and with a clackplay spring, suming of sticks, cries mer and fall. of 'get it!' and 'call Spring, their main it!' resound, and pracseason with the Parks tice begins. and Recreation, begins Lacrosse originated as a Mar. 1. They train and atNative American game played tend clinics at places like Campby tribes of the Iroquois nation in bell and Methodist universities. Two New York State. There is a North Carolina or three teams are assembled, composed of connection, though. The Tuscaroras of Eastern Carolina players in 6th grade through 9th grade. Summer play begins shared ancestry with the Iroquois and eventually migrated around Memorial Day, with practice in June and July and back to reunite with them. Still lacrosse is thought of as a tournaments in August. The Fall season practices in Septemnorthern game, but one that is rapidly gaining popularity in ber and October with tournaments in November. this region. According to Davis, most cities in North CaroliCorzette works for the Parks and Recreation helping to na offer lacrosse in the schools. That's his goal for Fayetteville. develop the lacrosse program. He likes that "it embodies Parent Scott Menoher (Colleen, Delaney) played lacrosse so many different sports all in one." It's exciting to watch in college at Denver. His wife August was a team manager. and play, and he said it deserves its title as "Fastest Sport Menoher, who coaches boys lacrosse at a local school, said on Two Feet." "The sport is ready to grow, it just needs the adult leaders, The sport is empowering. It's great for long-term healthy refs, coaches." lifestyles, because it builds endurance and stamina, and enA lacrosse game has a 25-minute first half, followed by a courages participation in active sports. It builds character, CityViewNC.com | 41

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