FPYC Force Starts 2011 3-0

The Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC) Force U15 Lacrosse team remains undefeated thus far with a 3-0 start, defeating Loudoun West 12-1 Saturday morning and shutting out Braddock Road 11-0 Sunday afternoon at Oak Marr Recreational Park. The team went undefeated in the regular season last year before eventually losing to the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League champion.

Head coach Dave Minionis is in his second season with FPYC. Minionis is 71-4 overall in his coaching career in the NVYLL, making the shift from SYA to FPYC just last season.

“FPYC had not really been having a lot of success in recent years, they weren’t winning games and kids’ spirits were down and I was looking to change that when I made the switch from SYA to FPYC,” Minionis said after Sunday’s victory over Braddock Road.

Minionis has the team playing well as a unit. He holds intense practices focusing on conditioning, a tactic that has paid off well, especially at the end of games.

Despite being the smallest player on the field, Ethan Malo plays with the biggest heart, always ready to mix it up with opposing players. Malo’s motor never stops on the field which he showed Sunday afternoon, as he lead FPYC in hits with a total of eight. Minionis’ son, Jared, lead the team in scoring that game with a total of three goals; and their most talented player, Belton Bryan finished with two goals and an assist. Bryan is unstoppable when he gets the ball, constantly slashing and spinning his way through defenders.

“I count assists the same as goals, because they are so important to scoring for us,” Minionis said looking through the stat sheet after Sunday’s game. “Most teams have one big guy that tries to run over everyone and storm his way down the field. That’s not how you win games, lacrosse is a team sport and I try to get the guys to focus on that every game.”

The Force will face the Loudoun West U15B3 team in a home game at Ida Lee Recreation Center on Saturday.