- April 17, 2024
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Matanzas' Jonah Robertson (No. 66) tries to get open for a shot against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
A pair of Pirates celebrate a goal against the Bulldogs. Photo by Ray Boone
The Pirates' Corey Gales attempts a pass against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC and Matanzas players fight for the ball in the first half. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Alex Anderson runs by a Matanzas defender. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC goalie Nick Tamayo sits in the goal after giving up a score to the Pirates. Photo by Ray Boone
The Matanzas boys lacrosse team built an insurmountable lead nearly halfway through the fourth quarter of the Pirates’ game against crosstown rival Flagler Palm Coast on the night of Tuesday, Feb. 20, at FPC High School. And with 8:01 to play in the season-opener, Pirates midfielder Jonah Robertson flung a left-handed shot that whizzed past the head of Bulldogs goal keeper Nick Tamayo that found the back of the net, giving the Pirates a 9-5 lead.
Robertson didn’t react, however. He quietly fist-bumped a teammate and got ready for the next possession.
“We had some offensive miscues, and as far as the defense goes, they played a lot. You make some silly decisions when you get tired.”
FPC coach Paul McIntyre
“You’ve got to keep it low-key, you know?” said Robertson, who added that he once got in trouble from the officials for excessive celebration. “You can’t show the refs that you’re too happy about it.”
The Pirates’ two-year team captain was nearly unstoppable in Matanzas’ 11-6 win over the Bulldogs. Robertson scored a game-high four goals, including back-to-back goals in a one-minute span late in the third quarter.
“Jonah’s got a big body, a hard shot and he’s very accurate,” FPC coach Paul McIntyre said. “He’s somebody that everyone should watch out for — big time.”
Tuesday night was the Pirates’ fourth-straight win against the Bulldogs in a rivalry that, for the most part, has been largely back-and-forth. The Pirates lead the all-time series 11-10.
Matanzas coach Efrain Gutierrez said Tuesday night was the best FPC-Matanzas lacrosse game he’s seen in the last six years. Gutierrez, who played on Matanzas’ lacrosse team from 2008 to 2011, was the Pirates’ defensive coordinator for four years before taking over as the team’s head coach five seasons ago.
On getting the opportunity to help grow the team he once played for, Gutierrez had only one word to describe it: humbling.
“That’s the only word that fits,” he said. “To be able to watch this program grow and to have a hand in it has been amazing.”
