The Tampa Tribe U11 boys lacrosse team went undefeated during the summer season, racking up a 12-0 record.
The Tribe accomplished the perfect season after going winless in 2011. The boys also claimed the Sunshine State Games Citrus Bowl tournament championship in Orlando, winning all five games.
Tampa coach Eric Rosario was pleased with how the team performed against some of the best programs in South Florida at the Citrus Bowl.
“Boys lacrosse is very fast paced and requires players to play with speed and discipline,” Rosario said. “The players were very excited to travel to Orlando and participate in such an impressive tournament.”
Jacob Schwarz, who has been playing lacrosse since age 7, scored several goals during the tournament. The attacker/midfielder said the way the Tribe performed at the Citrus Bowl was something special.
“It felt like we were unstoppable and no one could beat us,” Schwarz said.
Along with the tournament, the Tribe played in the Shooters League located at Skyway Park in Tampa against other teams from around the region.
Rosario said the players had to step up to both the physical demands of the summer season and the increasingly talented competition in Florida.
“Lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet,” Rosario said. “It requires a lot of substituting of players on the fly because of the speed of the game.”
Midfielder Kollin Eckel led the squad with 32 goals this summer. While he has played many youth sports, he has found lacrosse to be his favorite.
“The difference with lacrosse and other sports is you need to have great eye contact,” Eckel said. “You have to be able to look around and know what’s going on around you.”
Tribe is gearing up for the fall season and is registering players. Many Tampa members will be returning, but the program is also looking for more players.
“Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States; we want to bring this game to more people,” Rosario said. “We have players from Land O’ Lakes to Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills.”
The first practice is Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road. Rosario encourages anyone interested to come by, watch the practice and learn more about the program.
The Tribe is part of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA). For more information about the program and to learn how to sign up for the fall season, call (813) 994-6633 or visit WCLacrosse.org.
—Kyle LoJacono
Tampa Tribe roster
Josiah Barsness, attacker/midfielder
Marc Ciccone, attacker/midfielder
Hunter Dechent, attacker/midfielder
Zachary Devalle, defender
Kollin Eckel, attacker/midfielder
Ryan Farquahar, attacker/midfielder
Ashton Folk, attacker/midfielder
Chase Gambrell, attacker/midfielder
Miles Garrett, attacker/midfielder
Joshua Geraty, attacker/midfielder
Jojo Kanowitz, attacker/midfielder
Ryan Kinney, attacker/midfielder
Ryan Lepper, attacker/midfielder
Spencer Lozano, defender
Jonah Mahmood, attacker/midfielder
Garrett Maroncelli, attacker/midfielder
Sean O’Brien, attacker/midfielder
Alex Perugini, defender
Christian Rosario, attacker/midfielder
Corbin Schwenkne, attacker/midfielder
Jacob Schwarz, attacker/midfielder
RJ Sonderman, attacker/midfielder
AJ Tallagsen, goalie
Braden Venger, attacker/midfielder
