Vegas Starz Beat Westward 6-1 At The Buku Las Vegas Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to catch the Vegas Starz vs Westward (26's) game a couple of weeks ago at the Buku Las Vegas Showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a matchup that I was very much looking forward to, as the game was loaded with many of the best prospects in Las Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slater Salinas opened the game up with a strong righty rip from up top to give the Starz the lead. Not much later, Luke Rava got a step on his man and unleashed a lefty shot on the run that found the back of the net to make it 2-0 Starz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vegas Starz then made it 3-0 after Scotty Lennox scored in the midst of chaos. I'm sure Westward wasn't expecting be in a 3-0 hole to start the game, and they began to control the rock a bit more. However, the Vegas Starz defense kept cracking down and they created a number of turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ball then landed in Luke Rava's stick again and he went right to work. Utilizing his speed and stick protection, he turned the corner and snuck the fourth goal of the day in for the Starz for his second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Starz dominant run continued when, Luke Rava got yet another quality look. He was open for a catch and shoot opportunity, and let it go with a good amount of power behind it, making it 5-0 Starz and completing the hat trick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westward then finally got on the scoreboard. There was a loose ground ball in front of the net and Mason Mclay ‘27 gave it a whack like a hockey puck and it just slipped the Vegas Starz netminder, Jose Aragon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Starz then struck one last time, when Seth Salinas scored a turn and rake goal. Making it 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All in all, it was an impressive performance from the Vegas Starz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They controlled the game from start to finish and they made very few mistakes overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their offense looked very cohesive and I was a fan of how their go to guys capitalized on their opportunties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also liked how their defense (Jace Mims, DJ Rogers, CJ McColl) pestered Westward relentlessly. They never let Westward get comfortable. And they forced them to take difficult shots, which Jose Aragon stopped with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Top Performers </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Slater Salinas ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"143","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Palo Verde ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Vegas Starz + West Coast Starz ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c355738e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slater Salinas started the party for the Vegas Starz, giving them some momentum that they then carried for the rest of the game. He is a shifty dodger and he anticipates where slides are coming from and he just always seems to find the back of the net. His consistency and competitiveness are definitely attributes that you look for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luke Rava ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Palo Verde ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Vegas Starz + West Coast Starz ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c35573aa5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Luke Rava was the "Man Of The Match' and notched three goals for the Vegas Starz. He is a very entertaining player to watch since he is constantly making plays. His top skills are his speed, shooting, and he is incredibly efficient. Although we don't have State Rankings for Vegas, he is likely the #1 prospect in the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Scotty Lennox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Coronado","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Vegas Starz + West Coast Starz ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c3557383b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scotty Lennox (pictured) now suits up for the Vegas Starz and he made an immediate impact, scoring a nice goal for them and helping them get the win. He is a high IQ player that uses a variety of maneuvers to get to his spots, and he can also put some steam behind his shots. With him in the mix, the Starz are simply stacked on offense — they'll be a tough unit to contain these next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["126566"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c3557371d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jose Aragon was a brick wall for the Vegas Starz. He stood his ground and stuffed a bunch of Westward's shots. He was also communicating with his defense and he made smart outlet passes that helped the Starz get up field in a hurry. Look for him to make even more noise this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Seth Salinas ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"143","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Palo Verde ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Vegas Starz + West Coast Starz ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c355739ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seth Salinas tallied one goal for the Starz in their victory. He has some deception to his game and he protects the rock well, giving him an advantage in closer corners. He also has an accurate shot and he can use different release points to fool the goalie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["124875"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6918c35573a0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xander Iway operated with poise at the X for the Vegas Starz at the Buku Las Vegas Showcase, winning faceoffs quickly and regularly. He also does a solid job of getting the ball to his middies and attack before defenders can check him. College coaches may want to start tracking him if they aren't already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->