The Cougars defeated the High Sierra Huskies — a team comprised of students from Reno and McQueen high schools and the three-time defending High Sierra Lacrosse League champions — by a score of 7-5 in front of about 300 fans at Wooster High School.
The Cougars lacrosse team has existed for about five years, several of them filled with adversity, said Tatro, a former professional lacrosse player from New York who now teaches at Spanish Springs. The tough times made the championship even sweeter for the eight graduating seniors who helped the self-sufficient team go from infancy to tops in northern Nevada.
“It feels good to have a championship under our belt at Spanish Springs,” said Dylan Woll, a senior who has played lacrosse for three years.
“We practice hard so we’re all very dedicated,” said Dylan Mooney, the team’s goalie and a four-year veteran of Cougars lacrosse.
“I’ve never had a team that’s as tight-knit as this one,” said Darren Partyka, a senior who counts club ice hockey among the numerous other sports he has played.
Official sport or not, the Spanish Springs players and coaches were proud of their accomplishment.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s sanctioned or nonsanctioned,” Tatro said. “They get to hold up a trophy.”
Our head coach Tatro deserves recognition for his hardwork and dedication to growing the sport of lacrosse at our school and Northern Nevada!
Congratulations Cougars. We are the 2011 High Sierra Lacrosse League Champions!! It was an honor to be a part of this program for 4 years. I could not have asked for a better way to conclude my high school lacrosse career. Thanks guys!
"Building a Tradition" -SSHS LAX