Raptors Skills Minicamp in Lisbon!

Over the last two weeks, your Raptors have held two skills minicamps for the kids of Lisbon Parks and Rec soccer. The first minicamp, held last Tuesday, was graciously covered by our friends at the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun newspaper.

The entire 4th-6th grade "Big Red" team participated in drills and a scrimmage against Raptors Bobby Hurwitz and Ronaldo Rojas, with an assist from former Raptor (and current Utica City FC star) Ricky Orozco.

Photo credit: Nathan Countryman, Mt. Vernon-Lisbon Sun

The "Big Red" team, coached by Phil Miksch and assisted by Daphne Booth, Kiley Boesenberg, and Brian Donovan, learned footwork and passing drills, and even made the pros sweat a little bit during the scrimmage.

After practice, Hurwitz said "Without kids interested in soccer, there’s no clubs like ours, so it's important for us to go out and build relationships like this."

After the first camp proved such a tremendous success, Lisbon Parks and Recreation director Drayton Kamberling proposed an expanded camp for the next weekend, to include the kids from the 3rd-4th grade team as well. "It's a great opportunity for our community," Kamberling said. "We're really happy to have the guys out here."

Bobby Hurwitz signs an autograph for "Big Red" player Evie

The second camp, held on Sunday afternoon, brought even more kids and Raptors together to work on an expanded range of drills, and an even tougher scrimmage.

"Learning and relearning or rerunning the basic skills is what helps you improve and take your play to the next level," Hurwitz reminded the group, before running them through a tough series of field drills.

Beni Mbeke signs an autograph as Malo Charles and Ronaldo Rojas take a breather after a tough scrimmage

On Sunday, the Raptors were out in force. Hurwitz, Rojas, and Orozco returned, along with David Lapan-Islas, Beni Mbeke, and Malo Charles. Even Operations Manager Tony Islas got in on the action, helping to run the drills and coach the combined kids' team with Miksch.

"Big Red" goalkeeper Eli, just after a nice save of a shot by Beni Mbeke

With more Raptors and kids participating, the scrimmage was a lot tougher on Sunday. The pros prevailed, but the kids made them work for it in the hot October sun.

Ronaldo Rojas faces tough man-to-man defense from 3rd-4th player Will, while Big Red swarms David Lapan-Islas

Your Raptors even brought along a special guest, who appeared just as the scrimmage was winding down.

Can you help name the dinosaur?

Our as-yet-unnamed Raptor mascot gave the Lisbon kids a sneak preview of the Jurassic antics in store for this season. Your Raptors will be holding an official "Name the Mascot" contest as our first game draws nearer. Stay tuned, Raptor fans!

(L-R) Rojas, Lapan-Islas, Hurwitz, Orozco, the Raptor, Mbeke, Charles