It took just three games for Severna Park High?s boys lacrosse team to show nothing fazes them.
Despite not knowing who their coach would be until right before spring practice started, the No. 8 Falcons, the defending Class 4A-3A state champions, proved Tuesday they are still the team to beat in Anne Arundel County. Severna Park improved to 3-0 this season under first-year coach Larry Kramer following an 11-9 victory over county rival Broadneck and showed no signs of slowing down. The team next plays at 6:45 tonight at county foe North County.
“These kids just want to play lacrosse and don?t worry about whatever happens off the field,” said Kramer, a former college player at Hofstra who coached Northeast the previous two seasons.
Kramer took over at Severna Park for Jimmy Beardmore, who was dismissed earlier this year for allegedly allowing a few students to have water thrown on them. Those students had not participated with other teammates in the Polar Bear Plunge Jan. 27 at Sandy Point State Park. Beardmore, who is now the head coach of the Major League Lacrosse?s Denver Outlaws, was also accused of holding an out-of-season team meeting, which violates Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association regulations.
Kramer said everything has gone smoothly for him so far at Severna Park and that he is pleased with his players? performance. The Falcons are going after their eighth state final appearance in nine years and their fourth state title.
Attackmen Eric Lusby (7 goals, 3 assists), Colby Rohdes (6, 1) Chris Hunt (7, 2) and midfielder Sam Jones (3, 3) lead the Falcons? scoring attack. Goalie Andrew Gvozden, brother of current Johns Hopkins backup keeper Mike Gvozden, anchors the team?s defense. He registered 11 saves in the win over Broadneck.
“I feel like I?ve been here for 10 years,” Kramer said. “The players have been so great toward myself and my assistants. It has been an extremely smooth transition, and I look forward to another great season for Severna Park.”
EXAMINER TOP 10
1. BOYS? LATIN (7-0)
2. MCDONOGH (7-1)
3. ST. PAUL?S (6-1)
4. LOYOLA (1-1)
5. GILMAN (2-2)
6. CALVERT HALL (1-1)
7. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (5-2)
8. SEVERNA PARK (3-0)
9. DULANEY (1-1)
10. SEVERN (3-2)
