Billy Snyder

Billy Snyder is a senior on the Riverview High boys lacrosse team. Snyder scored the game-winning goal with 5.8 seconds left Feb. 21 in the Rams’ 9-8 road win against Sarasota High.

When did you start playing lacrosse?

I have been playing since third grade because I grew up in Columbia, Maryland, where lacrosse is popular. I actually took a bit of a break from it. I played soccer for a while. I came back to lacrosse in seventh grade and I have played ever since.

What is the appeal to you?

First off, I love my boys. I love my team. I moved down here during the pandemic and it was hard to meet people while wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart. The first time I got to meet people for real was with this team. They helped me feel comfortable and turned this place into a home.

What is your best skill?

I feel like I’m a ground ball machine, especially last game. I’m going to have quite a few bruises from running up and down the field and getting hacked the whole time, but I like doing it, even though it winds me.

What have you been working to improve?

Definitely my shooting. I used to have a good shot, but I started fo cusing on other things and I feel like I lost some of that ability, especially shooting high. I’m trying to get that back.

What happened on the gamewinning goal?

Well, I got two feeds in those last 30 seconds. I’m lucky. The first one, I wasn’t in the right place and the ball wasn’t in the right

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com. ATHLETE place. It just wasn’t meant to be and we turned it over. But our defense made a good play stopping the clear and I have to thank Solano (Benitez, a senior) for the second look. I actually dropped the ball off his pass, but I picked it up and I still had a chance to shoot even though a couple guys hit me.

What are this team’s expectations?

We can go as far as we want to go. This is a young team. We have a lot of sophomores. It’s about integrity and discipline. We’re learning that stuff day in and day out. We just have to keep working together. It’s a mental thing. I think we have all the talent in the world to get where we want to be.

Finish this sentence: “Billy Snyder is …” … Charismatic. I may look tired sometimes, but I’m always open to conversation and, not to toot my own horn, but I think I’m a likable guy.