LXM Pro 602 took place this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona and my weekend started with a solid, non-stop, Jet Blue flight that got myself along with a couple other local Boston guys in around midnight mountain time. I’ve had several layovers in Pheonix but never journeyed outside the airport so this was my first time spending more than a couple hours in Phoenix. After getting picked up we made a pit stop at this fast food place called Carl Jr’s. Never been but I was thoroughly impressed with the menu and product, the service? Not so much, seemed like there was only one dude in there doing everything.
Upon arrival to the hotel I immediately realized I wasn’t in Boston anymore. Apparently, Arizona has a different approach to their hotel layouts and most hotels (at least from what I was told) are suite style units. The hotel complex spanned over 90 acres and had an insane golf course and full amenities, pretty cool view too. Saturday, a bunch of guys went over to the fields for the clinics then back to the hotel to relax before the game. Sean Lindsay and I watched the Alabama-Texas A&M before having to go to the field and I have to say watching Johnny Football go against Nick Sabin is great, reservation television type stuff.
Before I knew it I was warming up for the game and I definitely found myself taking in the atmosphere of being in the desert under an incredible sunset. The game started with a light drizzle and wind but it tapered off after the opening whistle. Team STX has some incredibly talented players, especially in the midfield so we generally try to bring two poles up and short one of their attackman. This worked at first as we stormed off to a 9-1 lead but then we (Team Sole) failed to win a face-off from like the second quarter on. I’ve heard a lot of debates around the importance of face-offs and its overall impact on a game and I’m not positive where I stood before this game but I know where I stand after it. STX stormed back at the end of the second quarter and got it to 9-5. The second half was like the complete opposite of the first; we couldn’t get a possession and played way too much defense and you can’t win too many games playing like that.
I’d say the most memorable part of my LXM 602 weekend game right before halftime while we were man down. I went in on man down, was working in and out of the crease and watched three incredibly talented shooters up top, one of them being Kyle Harrison. For those of you who don’t know, Kyle is he is one of the games greatest midfielders ever and a guy I looked up to a lot when I was in high school. He has been the most impressive player on the tour this year hands down and is a nightmare to try to cover. Kyle received a pass in the top center, threw a really nice fake pass and stepped around a defender and locked eyes with what looked like an off-stick low shot. I say that because I happened to be in the way of this shot and the goal and took a shot right off the side of my knee/thigh. It was a little chilly out so I didn’t feel it at first but then I started jumping around in a circle like an idiot making funny noises. From that point on the game was all down hill, we couldn’t win a face off and could only muster one more goal, really a tale of two halves. All in all it was a fun game to be a part of, no matter the place or time these guys go extremely hard and we try to make each one an unforgettable experience for you, the fans!
