Miners boy's and girl's lacrosse teams will both face Olympus for a state championship this weekend. Photo: Park City Lacrosse (Facebook)

SPANISH FORK, Utah. — Still undefeated in region play, Miners won 21-4 over Maple Mountain. Three players led the scoring with three goals each, including Freshman Brendan Johnson. Jack Mchenry had 12 ground balls and went 70% at the face-off. Bo Hathorne and AJ Sillanoff combined to stop all but four shots in the win.

Before there was a W over Maple Mountain, this winning streak began with Springville, Provo, Davis, and Spanish Fork. Michael Persky has coached his team to an overall 8-2, regional 4-0 and ninth in the state rankings. Corner Canyon currently holds the top spot in Utah.

“This group of Seniors is a dedicated bunch with almost 100 years of lacrosse experience between them. Playing through injuries and COVID this group of kids has bonded and become very close,” wrote the team administrator on Facebook.
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One long-time member of the team comes by it honestly. Junior John Trahan said, “After a tough two losses at the beginning of the season, we’re excited to be on the winning streak that we’re on. However, with the sanctioning of high school lacrosse in Utah, we’ve been playing against brand-new programs in our region. Even if these games aren’t as competitive as many other teams out of our region, we are still excited for the opportunity to get better. We’re going into May as one of the top teams in the state, but we have four games in the next two weeks against some good competition.”

Trahan continued, “Park City is currently the defending state champions, from 2019. Lacrosse has always been a club sport in Utah, but now it is sanctioned. Because of COVID, we didn’t get the chance to compete for a state championship last year. 2020 was the first year that lacrosse was a sanctioned sport. So, this year will be the first sanctioned high school lacrosse championship. We’re very excited to compete in May for the state title.”

Jim Gleich, a 30-year high school lacrosse official and retired high school teacher who officiates in a different region, said, “COVID protocols have been rigorous and successful this season. My region had 90 officials take the year off due to the pandemic which makes the job of assigning limited officials to games that are ever-changing due to COVID a hurculean task. Officials mask up during certain portions of the games.”

Gleich added, “The athletes this year, unfortunately, aren’t allowed to stand on the field as a team during coin tosses at the beginning and at the end of games they can’t always line up to shake the hands of their opponents which could have detracted from team spirit or sportsmanship but hasn’t.”

The team hopes to extend the streak tonight against Salem Hills, away, then against Brighton in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, followed by yet another away game against Heber’s Wasatch High a week from today.