LANDOVER, Maryland — Cy Coombes came back to play pro lacrosse this year so sometime in the future he might get a chance to coach. Well, the 35-year-old Peterboro resident didn’t have to wait very long. Coombes was named acting coach of the Maryland Arrows in early July replacing Paul Clancey after the Arrows had lost four straight games and 10 of 12 following a good beginning when the team registered a 5-1 record.
Sidelined by a hamstring pull it was a natural selection to put Coombes back into action — at least on the bench. Among the National Lacrosse League’s leading scorers prior to this injury, Coombes quickly made personnel changes, and after a pair of close defeats guided Maryland to an 18-17 overtime triumph over Montreal.
“We’ve got too much power on our line,” said Coombes in analyzing the Arrows’ problems. “I’m going to move the McKennas around and try to bolster our defence on our second and third lines.”
Getting practice sessions going and re-establishing team spirit were Coombes’ first objectives for the Arrows who, despite their losing streak, had the League’s second highest attendance average. “The people are behind us and we want to give them a winner,” said Coombes. Coombes had taken over a team which had been in- consistent at best. After a brilliant start and two lopsided home victories over league leader Rochester, the Arrows went into a tailspin, losing both at home and on the road.
Maryland continually receives good scoring performances from Paul Suggate, top pointman in the League, and Bill Coghill, who ranked among the top 10, but a continual turnover in goalies and numerous defensive mistakes offset Maryland’s offensive talent.
Maryland began the season with Brendon Kelly in goal, but after seven games he left for personal reasons. Pat Kelly and Keith Todman were given a try, before the Arrows traded for Syracuse’s Brian Cuddy.
Cuddy lasted through part of the five-game losing road series, but when Coombes took over, Todman moved back into goal. By the time the Arrows returned to the Capital Centre in mid-July, Cuddy and Kelly had both departed, and the Arrows had obtained the services of Toronto’s Roger Williams. Greg Marchen, Tom Vann, and Tony Golian have aided the offense, while Wayne Granger and the McKennas, John and Jerry, have been stars on defence.
Although Maryland has sagged from an early first place standing to fifth by mid-July, Coombes and company have raised hopes for a reversal of form and a playoff spot.