Senior attacker gives Fort Collins chance to repeat

Rich Abrahamson / Fort Collins Coloradoan/2007
Fort Collins attacker Henry Miketa recorded 51 goals and 29 assists in helping the Vipers to a state championship last season. He’s one of eight returning starters for Fort Collins.
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An extensive survey of lacrosse coaches around the state reveals a common belief: Now that Fort Collins has arrived, the Vipers will not be going away anytime soon.

The Vipers had a breakthrough season last year, winning their first state title. Fort Collins never before had reached the semifinals, but behind a strong corps of juniors, the Vipers were holding the trophy at season’s end.

With eight of 11 starters returning, the Vipers are fully capable of adding their second title. The main component is senior attacker Henry Miketa, who had 51 goals and 29 assists last season.

Miketa, who will play for Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky., next year, widely was regarded around the state before the state playoffs began after leading the Vipers in scoring for two seasons.

The playoffs further established the 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior as perhaps the state’s top attacker. He recorded 16 points in four playoff games as the Vipers jelled into an offensive juggernaut, advancing to the championship game by beating the state’s elite programs.

“Most of those (playoff) points he scored came when it counted the most,” Fort Collins coach Carey Smith said.

Opposing teams tried to block off Miketa, but when that happened, Miketa either tortured teams by finding his teammates for easy goals or he scored anyway, positioned sideways of the goal.

“When that happens, it makes room for my teammates,” Miketa said. “And I definitely have some of the best teammates around, particularly on my attack line.”

Miketa’s style was described by one coach as “Canadian- style physical,” with an ability to bounce off the physical blocks of bigger defenders in order to get a good look at the goal.

It’s no coincidence Miketa’s style is described this way. He started his lacrosse career playing in an indoor league, where space is at a premium and physical play is the standard.

“It brings a different aspect to your game,” Miketa said. “You have less space and smaller goals. So you have to be more accurate with your shots. Canadians tend to get in tight to the defender and use their size.”

“Miketa is just a tough matchup,” Mullen coach Mitch Brin said. “He can score standing sideways to the goal. He’s just a great finisher.”

Smith admits he was a little surprised by winning the state championship last season, although the aspirations were high with the talent the program had assembled. Smith said this season was the one Fort Collins had targeted to reach the championship game.

“This is the year we expected to win state,” he said. “Last year, our goal was the semis, but we just put together a great run.”