‘Ultimate team sport’ calls for sacrifice – The San Diego Union-Tribune

POWAY — When asked about his outside midfielder Zach Hodge, Poway High boys lacrosse coach Zach Burke recalled a game last year.

Showing no fear near the opposing net, Hodge managed to overcome whatever the defense threw at him, especially this one play.

“He draws a long stick (defender) all the time,” Burke said. “On this one play he got slashed on the back of the neck, and while falling to the ground he got off a shot and scored.

“His fearlessness is amazing and contagious. Everyone else on the team tries to keep up with him.

“Zach’s not afraid so why should they be afraid to go in there.”

Hodge, a senior, is in his third season as a starter for the Titans after transferring from Cathedral Catholic before his sophomore year.

The 5-foot-11 scorer has been playing lacrosse virtually nonstop since third grade when his dad started a lacrosse program in Temecula.

Football, soccer and basketball couldn’t drag him away from lacrosse.

“I really fell in love with it right away,” Hodge said. “It’s a combination of a bunch of sports — football, soccer and hockey.

“I love the freedom it gives you. You can hit people, shoot the ball in different ways.

“It is different than any other sport out there. It’s the ultimate team sport.”

Hodge has that same discussion about his sport with sister Justeen, who plays for Poway in girls lacrosse, a non-contact version of the sport.

“We differ on whether her sport is a real sport,” he said, laughing. “They get free shots in front of the goal. In my sport, guys hit you and knock you down in front of the goal.

“The two of us talk about this all the time. I usually win the argument.”

Coming off a San Diego Section Open Division championship with a 20-6-1 overall record, Poway opened this season with a 14-6 win over Carlsbad. Hodge had a goal and two assists against the Lancers.

Once senior year is over, Hodge will head off to Cleveland State, where he plans to major in nursing.

Hodge wants to become a nurse anesthetist after a suggestion from his dad, who sells anesthesia equipment.

“I shadowed a couple of nurses and really thought that was something I’d be interested in doing,” Hodge said. “Hopefully, I can manage the classes and lacrosse.

“It may call for some sacrifices, like sleep. But I really want this career.”

Sacrificing is something Hodge does every day on the field. Scoring goals, at least in lacrosse, comes with a price.

You’re going to be hit by defenders.

“You have to be able to take one for the team,” Hodge said. “You have to go into the crease, absorb hits and score.

“When you’re about to get hit, everything goes into slow motion. Then everything is a blur for a couple of seconds.

“Against La Costa Canyon last year I took a pass, turned around and got plowed in the head. Drew a penalty, but that’s what life is like the closer you get to the goal.”

Born in Orange County, Hodge moved around with his family quite a bit. After relocating to Murrieta, they went to Oregon, back to Murrieta and then 4S Ranch before settling in Poway.

Going to Cleveland next fall for college is not such a drastic thing for Hodge.

“Except I still have to learn how to do my laundry,” he said, laughing. “I’m sure dad will find a way to show up for a couple games.

“Being the new kid in school is not so tough. Lacrosse helps. I have instant friends.

“This would be a lot tougher without that.”

Monahan is a freelance writer.