November 8, 2009
College Women’s Lacrosse: National Champion Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse Playing Cornell And Louisville In 2009 Princeton Fall Ball (Videos)
November 7, 2009
Orange County High School Boys Lacrosse Profile: Goalie Zack Schenker Summer 2009 Highlight Video
Zack Schenker, Lacrosse Goalie – College Candidate for 2011 – Summer of 2009 Activities: Adidas National All American Lacrosse Tournament; Germantown, MD; Millon Lacrosse Camp, Baltimore MD; Coach John Danowski’s Camp in Camarillo, CA at Cal State University Channel Islands; OC Starz at Sonoma State College & OC Stars in the Starz Cup.
November 6, 2009
Western College Lacrosse: Cal Berkeley Academic Senate Votes To Ask Chancellor To Stop Funding For Intercollegiate Athletics, Including Men’s And Women’s Lacrosse
Berkeley’s academic senate has voted to ask the chancellor to stop funding all intercollegiate athletics. Turns out those sports programs cost the university more than $65 million.
Members of the public jammed the academic senate meeting. Almost all came to hear the debate on the controversial resolution which would ask the chancellor to immediately stop funding intercollegiate athletics. Golf coach Steve Desimone says that would hurt the student athletes.
“When you look at our graduation rates, when you look at our overall team GPA’s, these are great kids, and they deserve our support,” says Desimone.
Professor Michael O’Hare, Ph.D., is one of the bill’s sponsors.
“We have more important things to spend that money on now in this time of serious budget crisis,” says O’Hare.
Cal is facing a $150 million deficit this year. Faculty has been laid off, their pay has been cut and there are fewer courses for students. But the university says it will make up intercollegiate athletics $6 million deficit this year. It’ll come from the chancellor’s discretionary fund which does not include taxpayer money.
Although it’s officially a loan, in the past, similar loans have been forgiven. Another group of professors has introduced an alternate bill which asks for the creation of a task force to come up with a plan to make the athletic department self sufficient. In the meantime, this group wants funding to continue.
“Don’t just take this knee jerk response, we’ll just cut off funding and move forward, I don’t think you can move forward if you cut off funding,” says Gary Firestone Ph.D.
Both sides do agree on one thing — intercollegiate athletics needs to pay its own bills. Only men’s football and basketball make money. Predictably, students ABC7 spoke with had the same mixed feelings.
“It doesn’t seem like a responsible use of money for the school in the bigger picture when we have other needs,” says student Kenneth Tsang.
“Diving, lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, these sports are at risk cause they don’t bring in money with ticket sales,” says student Natalie La Rochelle.
After a heated debate, the faculty passed the resolution which is non-binding. Nevertheless, the chancellor heard their voice.
“I’m going to ask intercollegiate athletics and the university athletic board and budget committee to work with us to develop the plan that will project towards self-sufficiency,” says U.C. Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau.
But finding more money may take time. Current media contracts as well as other revenue producing arrangements won’t expire for years.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=7102163
November 6, 2009
Orange County High School Boys Lacrosse Profile: Foothill Knights Lacrosse Defenseman Sean Feeney (2008-2009 Video Highlights)
Foothill High School Lacrosse Defensive Player Sean Feeney. Highlights from 2008-2009 Season. College Candidate for 2011.
November 6, 2009
Men’s College Lacrosse: Cornell Men’s Lacrosse Plays Bucknell In 2009 Fall Ball (Video)
Cornell vs Bucknell 2009 Lacrosse Fall Ball
November 5, 2009
Lacrosse in Arizona: Interviews With Players And Parents Of 2009 Arizona State Boys Lacrosse Champion Brophy Prep And State Finalist Chaparral Boys Lacrosse (Video)
It has roots in Native American culture and traditions. For decades, it has been a popular sport at East Coast prep schools and colleges. Now lacrosse is taking Arizona by storm. Watch clips from the 2009 State Championship featuring Chaparral High School vs. Brophy Prep and hear the story from the parents who got club lacrosse leagues going in the Phoenix area.
November 5, 2009
Lacrosse Skills Video: National Lacrosse League (NLL) And Philadelphia Wings Attacker Athan Iannucci Demonstrates “How To Win Faceoffs” (Video)
Athan Iannucci of the Philadelphia Wings (National Lacrosse League) shows you how to successfully win faceoffs.
November 4, 2009
Oregon High School Girl’s Lacrosse Recruiting Profile: Lakeridge Girl’s Lacrosse Attacker Allie DeBruhl Commits To Play For Saint Mary’s College (CA) Women’s Lacrosse
Lakeridge senior attack Allie DeBruhl has committed to play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Saint Mary’s College.
Allie DeBruhl
DeBruhl, a first-team, All-State selection in Oregon in 2008 and 2009, said that while she had other college opportunities, she knew right away that Saint Mary’s was the perfect fit.
“From the moment I first stepped on campus, it just felt like home to me,” DeBruhl said. “My mom’s family was originally from the Bay Area, and I liked the idea of staying on the West Coast while also helping Coach (Lauren) Uhr build the Gaels’ program.
“I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Saint Mary’s program and doing whatever I can to help Coach Uhr and the team,” DeBruhl added. “I’ve worked hard to reach my goal of playing Division I lacrosse, and I plan to work even harder to make a positive impact for the Gaels.”
Lakeridge Head Coach Jessica Voas said she believes DeBruhl’s best days are ahead of her.
“Allie truly is a coach’s dream,” Voas said. “As a coach, there are specific traits I look for in a player; work ethic, leadership, athleticism and skill. In the three years our coaching staff has coached Allie, her work ethic has directly impacted her growth on and off the field.”
DeBruhl has started every game for the Pacers since her freshman year, and as a junior in 2009 she led the state of Oregon in both goals scored with 99 and in total points with 115. She helped lead the Pacers to the state semifinals, where she scored 10 goals in an 18-13 loss to the eventual state champion Oregon City.
“Even though she was the leading scorer in the state during the ‘09 season, she has never stopped asking questions and seeking resources to find better techniques and strategies to become a better team player,” Voas said. “Peers and younger players alike look to Allie as a role model. I can’t wait to see her progress next season and am looking forward to see her greatest potential after high school.”
DeBruhl will sign her National Letter of Intent during the early-signing period in November.
“I am glad to be signing early, so that I won’t have to worry about where I’ll be playing next season,” DeBruhl said. “Now I can focus on the upcoming season and help bring a state title to Lakeridge.”
November 3, 2009
College Men’s Lacrosse: Notre Dame Men’s Lacrosse Is The Most Successful NCAA Division I Lacrosse Program West Of Ohio And A Model For Growth Of Western Lacrosse
(From an InsideLacrosse blog article) Last season Notre Dame rattled off 15 straight wins on their way to a #2 ranking nationally and a #7 seed in the NCAA 
tournament. However, their perfect season came to an abrupt end in the first round of the NCAA tournament where they were upset by unseeded Maryland 7-3 at home. This year the Fighting Irish find themselves in a new conference playing in a new world-class stadium with many new faces. But a closer look at the team shows why even with all the ‘new’ they will be as competitive as ever.
KEY LOSSES
There are plenty of losses, but Scotty Rogers is back after a breakout 2009
With the departures of Ryan Hoff, Duncan Swezey and Peter Christman, Notre Dame also loses 40% of their goals and assists from a year ago (69 goals, 40 assists combined). Hoff had been a staple in the Irish offense over his four year career at ND, averaging over 30 goals per season as one of the premier finishers in the NCAA. Swezey led the team in points last season and was the primary initiator for the offense at attack. Conversely, Christman was the most dangerous dodging midfielder and served as the initiator from up top. The graduation of these players leaves a lot of questions to be answered on the offensive side of the ball.
While the majority of the staunch defense that limited opponents to an NCAA best 6.2 goals per game returns, the Irish do lose their leader Regis McDermott. McDermott was a third team All-America last year and key contributor on defense, handling much of the communication on defense and Notre Dame will surely miss their captain in the middle directing traffic.
FRESH FACES
With these losses also comes the addition of a number of talented freshmen. Touted as “one of the best classes we’ve ever signed” by Corrigan, many new players look to have an immediate impact this spring. Among these players are Steven Murphy, Pat Cotter and Quinn Cully who will all compete for playing time at the midfield position. All three bring a lot of size, strength and play-making ability to the field. With their size and athleticism they have potential to be effective on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Additionally, Ryan Foley is another freshman who has impressed so far this fall but at attack instead of midfield. With the holes left by Hoff and Swezey he could certainly find himself in a contributing role this year.
POSITION BATTLES
The battle for starting spots is far from over heading in to the winter. Due to the abundance of young talent at attack and midfield, it is still anyone’s guess who will start when they take the field for the first time in February. The front-runners in the competition to join returning starter Neal Hicks at attack look to be senior Matt Ciambella, sophomore Nick Beattie, redshirt freshman Sean Rogers and freshman Ryan Foley. Ciambella is a good inside finisher who might be able to fill the void left by Hoff on the crease and Beattie produced very well for the Irish late last year in limited playing time.
The midfield this year looks to be led by returning honorable mention All-American Grant Krebs and Zach Brenneman. Junior David Earl, who had 12 goals for Notre Dame last year, is also likely to see an increased role within the offense. A number of other midfielders, including the highly regarded freshman recruits, are all likely to see significant playing time in a number or roles at the midfield. Only time will tell what the top midfield lines will eventually look like.
On defense and at the faceoff X there is much more certainty. Even with some competition from younger players earlier this fall, it appears that Jake Marmul and Trever Sipperly are the clear favorites to take faceoffs for the Irish again this spring. Both players were used relatively evenly last year and won a solid 55% of their chances. At close defense the return of third team All-American Scott Rodgers and honorable mention All-American Sam Barnes headlines a unit also featuring returning starter Kevin Ridgway. Many players have noted how Ridgway and senior Mike Creighton have stepped up this fall and are very confident in their defense. One last player that should contribute is talented sophomore Kevin Randall. Randall started two games last year as a freshman and it appears is competing with Creighton for the last starting spot on defense.
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES & OUTLOOK
Without question the strength of this Notre Dame team will be the same as it was a year ago: defense. The return of so much talent (including two All-Americans) at close defense along with addition of some very physically gifted midfielders should result in another solid defensive year. Notre Dame has always played with a disciplined team defense and the experience factor is definitely on their side again.
On the other side of the ball, if there is one big question mark/weakness coming into this season it is: how will the new attack unit perform? Notre Dame has always employed a very balanced approach to offense by stressing ball movement and making all six players scoring threats. As such, much of the focus this fall has been on developing chemistry between the new blood on offense. With the work they have put in they have shown marked improvement over the course of the fall. It remains to be seen how much they will miss players like Hoff but the fact that they have never relied on any one player to carry the team bodes well for the Irish.
“Last year a lot of our goals ended with Ryan Hoff,” says sophomore attack Nick Beattie, “but they all started as part of our offense and many of the players that made that happen are still here.”
Truly, Notre Dame’s success this season will ride largely on just how well these new players step up and execute against top-tier teams. ND will face many more of the traditional ‘east coast elite’ this year and the players are excited for the opportunity to prove they can compete with anyone.
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/11/03/fallball-check-in-notre-dame-fighting-irish-2/
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