- November 5, 2024
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Playing together in youth lacrosse long before high school, Gunner Parson and Jake Cohill began to establish chemistry on the field.
Four years later, that connection has ignited Matanzas (4-1, 2-0 District 6) to a blistering start to the 2013 season under first-year coach Jeff Goren.
The freshman connection continued Friday night, as Parson (two goals) and Cohill (three) combined for five to lead Matanzas past Flagler Palm Coast, 11-8, to sweep the regular season series. Senior Matt Garrison added three goals for Matanzas.
“They’re just good lacrosse players,” Goren said after the game of Parson and Cohill. “They know where to be, they are quick, and they have good stick skills.”
The score was similar to the first meeting, which came about two weeks ago at FPC’s field, when the Pirates won, 11-7.
In the rematch on Friday, Matanzas took a 1-0 lead when Cohill scored the game’s first goal about four minutes in. FPC’s Jon Zelaskowski evened the score about three minutes later on a low shot. But after the score was tied at 2-2, Matanzas went on to score four unanswered goals to lead at halftime, 7-3.
The Pirates led 10-4 late in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs were able to salvage three fourth-quarter goals — two by Michael Forte — to narrow the gap.
For FPC (0-5), the season has begun much differently from what coach Ryan Andrews is used to. Last year, his team won the District 6 championship. But after an exodus of top-tier talent and scorers, different Bulldog players have been tasked with carrying the scoring load.
Six different players scored for FPC on Friday: Alec Noble (two), Forte (two), Zelaskowski (one), Addison Felton (one), Conner Murray (one) and Paul Pechmann (one).
“Six different guys scoring eight goals — that’s pretty cool. I’m happy with that,” Andrews said. “We’re learning, and that’s what’s cool. You get to see your team progress through the season.”
Because District 6 has four teams (including Pedro Menendez and St. Augustine), all teams make the playoffs: Win one game, and you’re into the championship and automatically earn a state playoff berth.
“We’re trying to just learn each day,” Andrews said. “Self-critique and watch film. I have six freshmen playing on a varsity squad, so that’s a big deal.”
Meanwhile, for Matanzas, Goren’s three big freshmen are already playing at a high level. Goalie Matt Gutierrez tallied 14 saves against FPC, again garnering praise from his coach — and the opposing coach.
“Their difference is their goalie, without a doubt. He’s legit,” Andrews said.
Goren said he made some defensive adjustments coming off the loss to Fleming Island.
“We executed the adjustments that we made — mainly, clearing the ball on clears,” he said. “We were able to clear the ball much better today. Great effort, and I believe we won the groundball war. ... We played tough today.”
Cohill said after the game that he enjoys playing with Parson the most. That’s pretty clear.
“Me and Gunner have always played well together,” Cohill said. “On the field, it’s like we can read each other’s minds. ... We know we can depend on each other on the field.”
Goren said Parson and Cohill show their inexperience at times, but their athleticism and lacrosse ability carries them through.
“I probably correct those two more than anybody because they are more involved than anybody,” he said. “And because I want them to be better lacrosse players.”
Follow @aobrien7 on Twitter.
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Goal-scorers for Matanzas
Matt Garrison, 3 goals
Jake Cohill, 3
Gunner Parson, 2
Josh Holbrook, 1
Christian Wilson, 1
Yan Lishinsky, 1
Goal-scorers for FPC
Alec Noble, 2 goals
Michael Forte, 2
Jon Zelaskowski, 1
Addison Felton, 1
Conner Murray, 1
Paul Pechmann, 1
