- April 24, 2024
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Jon-Michael Cissell is leading Matanzas back to the district tournament for the first time in four years — one goal, one assist and one bull-dodge at a time.
A few words come to the mind of Matanzas Pirates lacrosse coach Greg Kong when describing Jon-Michael Cissell.
Violent … ferocious … dynamic … intelligent.
“Because of all of those, he is able to capitalize and catch the defense off guard,” Kong said Tuesday night, following the Pirates’ 16-2 drubbing of P.K Yonge Developmental Research School. Cissell’s six goals led the team — something he has done all season.
“Again, (on Tuesday night), J.M. was able to deliver and just continued to be the spear on the offensive arrow for our team,” Kong said.
Cissell, who plays middie and attack, has been a weapon on the team ever since he transferred from Saint Andrew’s, in Boca Raton, following his sophomore season.
Beginner to veteran
Cissell began playing lacrosse in seventh grade. He said a lot of his football teammates told him he’d probably enjoy it because it was a combination of all his favorite sports rolled into one.
“The first time I played was a crazy, new experience for me,” Cissell said. “I get everything I want out of sports in one game.”
Cissell’s contribution has propelled the Pirates (6-5) to its first district tournament appearance in four years.
Through the first 11 games — despite missing two — Cissell has 38 goals, 17 assists and 45 ground balls. His shot-to-goal ratio is nearly 54%.
The ground ball stat in lacrosse is just as meaningful as goals and assists, Kong said. A ground ball is tallied when a player cleanly scoops the ball off the ground and advances the play with clear possession.
“It’s an important stat for us and, typically, whatever team wins the ground balls game will walk away with the victory,” Kong said.
Cissell hasn’t always been a prolific scorer. At Saint Andrew’s, Cissell said, the team was loaded with skilled players. “I was young and upcoming and I had to work hard to compete and keep up with the other guys. I struggled being on the first line.”
But now, following his move north, Cissell finds himself as the most dynamic player on the Pirates. Though he is a junior and not a captain, he still sees himself as a leader on the field.
“He definitely has the other players trying to play up because he raises the bar for them,” Kong said.
A few games ago against Seminole High School, in a game the Pirates had to win to clinch a district playoff berth, Cissell listened to the plea of the team’s captains.
“I remember the captains told us that they wanted everyone to do their jobs,” Cissell recalled. He responded by scoring the first five goals of the game and finishing with eight.
Manhandling other players
If you ask Cissell to describe his style of play — it’s similar to his coach’s response.
“I like dodges and cutting through players — opening up the field,” Cissell said Tuesday, using hand motions as if he were weaving through opposing defenders.
But there’s also the one part of his game that he won’t let anyone forget he enjoys.
“I love contact more than anything,” the junior said. He also plays cornerback on the football team.
“When I’m playing someone on defense, I love manhandling them and shoving them out of bounds,” he said. “I also love when I have the ball and they are coming at me full steam and I bull-dodge them.”
Kong said Cissell is so good he is targeted by other teams.
“A lot of times, other teams will come head-hunting for J.M., but he has been able to play very disciplined and keep his cool.”
Kong also pointed out Cissell’s hard work in the classroom.
“I’ve come to realize the importance of my education for my future,” Cissell said. “Lacrosse won’t always be there but my education will. Hopefully lacrosse will be my gateway to give me better opportunities than I might have otherwise had.”
