Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
February 2018
2018 DIVISION 1
COLLEGE PREVIEW
After returning
to the football
field in the fall,
Bryant senior
Tom Kennedy
motivated
for larger
workload
BUSY
for Bulldogs
BODY
Boston College star Sam Apuzzo
Men’s rankings: Yale and BU
Women’s rankings: BC and UMass
Top 10 Division 1 Players to Watch
Team-by-team capsules
OUR STARTING LINEUP February 2018
FEATURES
laxjournal.com
6
@NELaxJournal
/LaxJournal
Founded 2008
Volume XI, Number 2
© 2018 Seamans Media, Inc.
PUBLISHER
Eric Seamans �������������������������������� eric@laxjournal.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Eric Beato ��������������������������������� editor@laxjournal.com SAM APUZZO:
EDITOR CENTER STAGE
Mike Zhe ����������������������������������� mzhe@laxjournal.com
DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S PREVIEW
STAFF WRITER / SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Jonathan Sigal ���������������������������� jsigal@laxjournal.com 13 | Boston College made Sam
Apuzzo feel wanted. Now the
ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Tewaaraton nominee wants to keep
Terrence Butt ������������������������� terrence@laxjournal.com the Eagles soaring. Plus, Top 10,
CLIENT RELATIONS
Janet Norton ���������������������� janet@seamansmedia.com
players to watch and team capsules.
MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Michelle Seamans �������� michelle@seamansmedia.com UPTON & GRAFTON, MASS. DIVISION 1 MEN’S PREVIEW | Bryant standout midfielder
Tom Kennedy looks to leave a final mark in his “other”
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS LAXTOWN | In Blackstone Valley,
Don Cameron • Hank Hryniewicz • Chuck Jaffe 24 a decade of growth is producing sport. Plus, Top 10, players to watch and team capsules.
2
They aren’t always the same people. Great teammates willingly play ting better. and great teammate is holding yourself
Not everyone can be a great player, accountable for your actions. Great play-
5
any role necessary to improve
but everyone can improve their game and the team’s chances for success. Great teammates lead by ers don’t blame circumstances or other
can find a way to contribute to a team. It can be hard to find players with a example. people for their problems.
Anyone can be a great teammate, find- team-first attitude who are willing to sac- There are so many examples On great teams, teammates hold each
ing ways to make their team better no rifice their own goals for the to set: Be on time (better yet, other accountable (rather than letting the
matter what role they play, and yet great good of the team — especially be the first to come to prac- coaches do it). Once you’ve made your
teammates are every bit as rare as the in a club atmosphere when tice and the last to leave), commitment to the good of the team, you
truly outstanding player. players are trying to show- prepare properly for each can be the strong-willed teammate who
Experts acknowledge that one of the case what they do best for practice/game, pay attention politely reminds others of their commit-
lifelong benefits of participating in sports college coaches — but they to coaches when they talk, ment and their need to put in the effort.
is learning how to function and thrive in improve both their team and keep the energy up, treat of- Great teammates know to criticize
a team atmosphere, which has benefits in their teammates. ficials with respect, give each teammates, when warranted, in private,
the workplace long after playing careers The best teammates put drill or play 100 percent, but to praise them (when deserving) in
are over. Thus, while players focus on “we” before “me,” and accept help less-experienced play- public; they accept criticism and feed-
improving their stick skills and athletic their role on the team and CHUCK ers learn and improve, main- back with grace and dignity.
ability, they also should embrace what it their playing time without JAFFE tain good body language
8
takes to be a great teammate and work to complaint. If they want to (even when the situation Great teammates are reli-
upgrade those aspects of their game and change their situation, they want to earn looks bad), celebrate the accomplish- able, honest, and trustwor-
their life, too. it, so that the entire team sees and appre- ments of teammates and include them thy, supporting others when
Here are nine things to know: ciates their progression. in celebrating theirs, show good sports- they struggle.
manship, pick up teammates who are Describe the kind of person you want
1 3
Great teammates develop real Great teammates always have down, pay attention to the game, cheer on your side in life; reliable, honest and
relationships. a positive/energetic attitude the team during time on the bench, and trustworthy people are high on any/every
The best relationships be- and give maximum effort. many more. list. You want those types of people on
tween teammates occur when players get There are few things players can con- your team, too.
6
to know each other as people rather than trol, but the one thing they decide entire-
9
Great teammates know what
as someone to toss the ball around with. ly on their own is the attitude and effort they’re good at and what Great teammates have fun.
That’s easy on a high school team but given at practice and in games. they must improve. Having fun is a priority; the
can be very hard in club programs, where Great teammates give maximum ef- There is a role for everyone on a team. best teammates keep the environ-
talented individuals come together in fort and stay positive at early-morning There are scorers and defenders, faceoff ment happy, enjoyable and light-hearted.
their own best interest as a potential re- practices and in long team runs, in close specialists and runners. There are kids You don’t have to be the life of the party, but
cruit rather than for love of town or school. games and in blowouts, whether they start whose strengths are hustle and scoop- you should feel like it’s a celebration every
Great club teammates cross rivalry lines or come off the bench. They understand ing loose balls, and others who have a time you get together with your team.
and distance to develop chemistry. that effort generates its own rewards and big shot, and a team functions best when
Find ways to connect, whether that that giving less than your best is letting all players focus on what they do best. Chuck Jaffe is a contributing columnist for New England
means sitting with someone new on the your teammates and coaches down. Yes, you want to raise all areas of your Lacrosse Journal. He is a longtime observer, player, coach
team bus or chatting with players you game, but when everyone focuses on and official for both men’s and women’s lacrosse at all
4
don’t know so well at pasta dinners, or Great teammates always what they’re good at — and avoids doing levels. He is a partner in the Boston Box Lacrosse League
simply asking new club teammates to work to improve their game. what they stink at — their team is in the and he runs BullsEye Lacrosse.
join you as you go in search of a bath- Many coaches believe the best position to succeed. feedback@laxjournal.com
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4 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
AROUND THE REGION Cushing Academy
Rabil, Kelly, Pannell ADVANCE YOUR
LACROSSE EXPERIENCE
named to Team USA TO THE NEXT LEVEL
F
With rigorous programs
ormer Boston Cannons star ie Christian Carson-Banister of Boston in academics, athletics,
Paul Rabil, former Brown University (seventh round, Dallas), at- and the arts, Cushing
goalie Jack Kelly and for- tack Jordan Greenfield of Dover, Mass. Academy is an independent,
mer Deerfield Academy (eighth round, Boston), defender Robert
coeducational boarding and
sniper Rob Pannell were Duvnjak of Harvard (eighth round, New
day school for students in
among the 23 players named last month York), middie Alex Zomerfeld of Bry-
to the U.S. men’s national team for the ant (ninth round, Boston), attack Greg grades 9-12 and PG, and is
2019 FIL World Championship, which Melaugh of Billerica, Mass. (10th round, located one hour northwest
will be held July 12-21 in Netanya, Israel. Ohio), middie Sean Lawton (Abington, of Boston.
Rabil played seven seasons for the Mass.) of Western New England (11th
Cannons after starring at Johns Hop- round, Boston), attack Conor Healey of
kins, scoring more than 200 goals, and Southboro, Mass. (11th round, Denver),
he currently plays for the New York Liz- goalie Jack Murphy (Cohasset, Mass.)
ards. of Fairfield (12th round, Boston) and
Kelly backstopped Brown to consecu- middie Kyle Weber of Bates (auxiliary,
tive NCAA tournaments, including a run Ohio).
to the semifinals in 2016, his senior year,
and was a two-time captain. As a senior, Emala joins Lax Sports Network
he led Division 1 in save percentage and Lax Sports Network, based in Wo- F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T : W W W.C U S H I N G .O R G
was named an All-American. burn, Mass., announced last month that
Pannell, a Smithtown, N.Y., native, Cannons player Davey Emala, who led OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS IAN BOLDT
Head Coach: Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse
set a Deerfield record with 99 the team with 32 goals last sea- Cushing Academy
39 School Street
iaboldt@cushing.org
goals during a post-graduate son, has joined LSN as an on- Ashburnham, MA 01430 JESSICA DEVIN
978.827.7300 Head Coach: Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse
year and went on to star at air analyst and contributor. admissions@cushing.org jdevin@cushing.org
Cornell and then with the New Emala will appear across
York Lizards. LSN’s programming includ-
The roster includes eight ing “Lacrosse Now,” pregame,
veterans from the 2014 World halftime and postgame shows,
Championship team that won and as a color analyst on LSN’s
a silver medal in Denver — Rabil remote game coverage.
Jesse Bernhardt, Ned Crotty, “I am very excited to join
Tucker Durkin, Greg Gurenlian, Kyle Lax Sports Network,” Emala said. “I be-
Hartzell, Marcus Holman, Pannell and lieve that we share the common goal of
Rabil. Durkin (defense), Pannell (attack) growing the sport of lacrosse and trying
and Rabil (midfield) were named to the to reach as many audiences as possible.
All-World team in 2014 and named the I am looking forward to learning more
most outstanding player at their respec- about the industry each day, while being
tive positions. able to cover the sport on many different
The team will have a final training platforms.”
weekend in late June before heading to Emala was scheduled to make his on-
Israel in early July for the World Cham- air debut Feb. 3 during Lax Sports Net-
pionship. work’s coverage of Ohio State at Cleve-
land State.
Several picked in MLL draft
The Cannons grabbed Richmond Hingham’s Todd honored
goalie Benny Pugh with the No. 1 pick Longtime Hingham High School
in the MLL Supplemental Draft last boys lacrosse coach John Todd, the win-
month, and a host of other area college ningest boys high school coach in Mas-
players were selected in the 11 rounds sachusetts — is a National Coach of the
that followed. Year.
Fairfield midfielder TJ Neubauer Todd, the head coach at Hingham
was chosen in the second round by for the past 29 seasons, was one of the
Charlotte. In the fourth round, two Yale 23 coaches across the country selected
products — midfielder Mark Glicini and as 2017 National Coaches of the Year by
defender Michael Quinn — were drafted the National Federation of State High
by Chesapeake and Ohio, respectively. School Associations Coaches Associa-
Midfielder Brian Masi of Sacred tion.
Heart went to Chesapeake in the fifth Todd guided Hingham to its third
round. Later in that round, attack Zack state championship last June, beating
Greer of Bryant was chosen by Dallas Longmeadow, 16-7, in the Division 2 fi-
and middie Greg Wozniak of Boston nal. His 432 wins — all with the Harbor-
University was taken by Denver. men — are the most of any boys lacrosse
Other area players drafted were goal- coach in Massachusetts.
MAN
sport as Bulldogs aim high in 2018
FOR ALL
SEASONS
T
By Marisa Ingemi
he gridiron doesn’t stray too far tunity once, and I wasn’t expecting him to give me the
from the lacrosse turf. Often, opportunity again. But he said whatever I decided to
they’re the same surface. do, he supported it.”
For Tom Kennedy, that rings true Kennedy initially was recruited to Bryant for la-
maybe more than anyone. The Bry- crosse and football. After playing football his fresh-
ant University midfielder spends man season, he set his sights toward lacrosse full-
a lot of time at Bulldog Stadium, time. But about a year ago, the itch to play football
maybe more time than any of his teammates. In the returned, and suddenly he was spending a lot more
spring, he’s catching passes and dodging to the net to time at Bulldog Stadium again.
score. In the fall, he catches different kinds of passes. “He played his freshman year, then left for two,”
“Last year around this time during mini-camp, I Pressler said. “The coaching staff changed for that,
asked Coach (Mike) Pressler if he’d allow me to play
football again,” Kennedy said. “He gave me the oppor- Continued on Page 8
6 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
Gretchen McMahon
F
OOTBALL WAS KENNEDY’S Of course he was going to help Ken-
first love. The Long Islander nedy achieve success in both sports. It
started playing the sport when he was never a question.
was 6 years old and played all the way “There’s nothing like football,”
through high school. Pressler said. “The physicality, the grind.
By contrast, he didn’t pick up a la- There’s things you learn there. He’s an
crosse stick until eighth grade. incredible clutch player in football. He
“A lot of my friends were playing it; brings so many intangibles from the
it’s very popular on Long Island,” he said. gridiron to the lacrosse field. Not only
“I played baseball for a little bit and got for himself, but his teammates.”
bored of baseball. The sport in general, it In the fall, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound
didn’t appeal to me as much anymore. I Kennedy made a team-high 57 catches
tried lacrosse and loved it.” for 88 yards and nine touchdowns, as the
Quickly, it be- Bulldogs won their final four games to
came apparent that finish with a record of 6-5.
Kennedy was going
D
to have an opportu- ESPITE A LATE START to
nity to play lacrosse his lacrosse career, his numbers
at the Division 1 began to match his talents. He
level. He developed was named to the All-Rookie team in the
quickly, despite the NEC as a freshman and the All-NEC sec-
Kennedy late start, and was ond team as a sophomore.
a high school All- In his junior season, he was an All-
America honorable mention at Farming- NEC first-team member, notching 24
dale High School in 2014. goals and 39 points as the team advanced
He was a two-year varsity player in to the second round of the NCAA tourna-
football and, despite the attention he ment, playing top-ranked and eventual
was getting for lacrosse, Kennedy knew champion Maryland tough in a 13-10 loss.
Photos/Gretchen McMahon
football remained in his future as well. Kennedy recorded three hat tricks,
“Any school that didn’t offer him both, including one during a 12-3 romp over
he was not interested in,” Pressler said. Robert Morris in the semifinals of the
“Being a former college football player NEC tournament.
myself, we were very much pro-that. … “His lacrosse ability has caught up
When we recruited Tom, we made it very
clear that we allowed him to do both.” Continued on Page 29
8 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
NELJ
Div. 1 Men
Preseason
No 1: No. 2: No 3: No 4: No. 5: No. 6: No. 7: No. 9: No 10:
Top 10
No. 8:
Yale Boston Univ. Providence Brown Bryant Harvard UMass Fairfield Vermont UMass Lowell
Brown Dartmouth
sophomore
Luke McCaleb
UMass 2017 result: 2-11 (0-6 Ivy
League, seventh place)
2017 result: 7-8 (3-2 CAA, Coach: Brendan Callahan
second place) (fourth year)
Coach: Greg Cannella (24th Key losses: Wiley Osborne,
year) A; Jack Connolly, M; Timmy
Key losses: Dan Muller, M; Burke, D
Grant Consoletti, A; Gianni Players to watch: Harlan Smart
Bianchin, M; Dylan Gruder, M; (Sudbury, Mass), soph., M;
DJ Smith, G Richie Loftus, sr., A (21 goals,
Players to watch: Noah Rak 14 assists); Ben Martin, soph.,
(Norwich, Conn), sr., FO (148 of A (21 goals); Jack Korzelius,
244); Jeffrey Trainor (Billerica, sr., M (17 goals); Kyle Clampitt,
Mass), soph., M; Jesse Leung soph., D; George Christopher,
(Brookline, Mass), soph., A; soph., G
10 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
Boston University sophomore
midfielder John MacLean
Yale
PATRIOT
2017 result: 10-6 (5-1 Ivy
League, won Ivy League cham-
pionship); lost to Syracuse in Boston
first round of NCAA tourna- University
ment
Coach: Andy Shay (15th year) 2017 result: 12-5 (5-3 Patriot,
Key losses: Eric Scott, M; third place)
Brian Pratt, D; Charlie Better, D Coach: Ryan Polley (fifth
Players to watch: Ben Reeves, year)
sr., A (42 goals, 37 assists); Key losses: Cal Dearth, A/M;
Jackson Morrill, soph., A; Matt Christian Carson-Banister,
Gaudet, soph., A; Joseph Sessa, G; Dominick Calisto, D; Greg
jr., A Wozniak, D
Outlook: The Bulldogs were Players to watch: Joe McSor-
a favorite to make a run last ley, soph., G; James Burr (Ham-
season, and did. This year, ilton, Mass), jr., A; Chris Gray,
they are projected to do even fr., A; Jack Wilson, sr., A; Mikey
better things. Yale hasn’t Laviano, jr., M; Drew Lukacs, jr.,
lost much, and Reeves is a D; John MacLean (Medfield,
Tewaaraton favorite after Mass.), soph., M
being named a finalist for Outlook: The Terriers look
the award as a sophomore much different for the first time
and junior. He has 112 career in program history. Without 17
goals and 89 assists to his seniors, it’s the first time the
name. … The Bulldogs face a team won’t have that group
tough non-conference sched- as a part of the varsity squad.
ule against Bryant, Michigan The biggest change is in net,
and Villanova, and then the with McSorley taking over the
Ivy slate, where they should reins. ... The offense should
be the favorites to win the be fine even without Dearth.
conference once again. Wilson (29 goals, 18 assists)
is back, Burr (24 goals) is fully
MAAC healthy off an ACL injury, and
MacLean has improved. … Gray
joins the fray as a freshman at-
tacker who will have an impact,
Quinnipiac COMING THIS MONTH and Laviano from the midfield
DIV. 1 MEN
will get more looks.
2017 result: 2-9 (1-5 MAAC,
RANKINGS
sixth place)
Coach: Eric Fekete (17th year)
Key losses: Drew D’Antonio, NORTHEAST NCAA tournament years ago. Holy Cross
A; Kevin Diehl, M; Jack Brust, They even played a tough first EVERY WEEK
G half against eventual cham- IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION 2017 result: 5-10 (4-4 Patriot,
Players to watch: Brian Feld- pion Maryland in the NCAA fourth place)
man, sr., A (30 goals); Foster Bryant tournament last season before
Only at laxjournal.com Coach: Judd Lattimore
Cuomo, jr., A; Joe Zukauskas falling, 13-10. ... James and his (fourth season)
(Southington, Conn.), soph., G 2017 result: 11-8 (4-2 NEC, 43 goals are a tough loss, but Players to watch: Joe Saggese, Key losses: Sean Kirkpatrick,
Outlook: How the mighty second place; won NEC cham- the Bulldogs bring a lot back, soph., A; Max Tuttle, jr., M; A; Kevin Lux, A; Jon Vogel,
have fallen. In 2016, the pionship); lost to Maryland in including Werner (7.85 GAA, Julian Garritano, sr., M; Kevin A; Mac Buermann, M; Jack
Bobcats won the MAAC, and second round of NCAA tourna- .552 save percentage) in goal. Cop (Southington, Conn.), sr., Ortlieb, A
just one year later, they were ment They’ll play the same schedule A; Brooks Dutton, soph., G Players to watch: Logan LeB-
a two-win club. … The sched- Coach: Mike Pressler (12th as a year ago, and it wouldn’t Outlook: Last season was lond, sr., A; Jonathan Tesoro
ule looks considerably easier year) be surprising to see them tack a rough one for the Pioneers (Groton, Mass), soph., G
than last season, with Wagner Key losses: Tucker James, A; on a few more wins. at times despite a good start. Outlook: The Crusaders lost
added in lieu of Princeton Tom Forsberg, M; Ryan Sharpe, Still, a tie for second place in each of their top six scorers,
and UMass Lowell replacing M; Brett Baker, A the conference earned them a from a team that wasn’t scor-
Bellarmine. The Bobcats were Players to watch: Tom Ken- Sacred bid to the playoffs, where they ing goals in bunches (8.53 per
competitive in some games nedy, sr., M (24 goals); Cam Heart fell to Hobart in the semifinals. game). LeBlond will be needed
last season but need more Ziegler, sr., A; Kevin Quigley, … The majority of the offense to step up as a scorer and get
scoring punch after averaging jr., M (31 goals); James Werner, 2017 result: 9-6 (4-2 NEC, returns, including 30-goal some help, and they’ll need
fewer than 10 goals per game. sr., G second place) scorers Saggese and Tuttle, and Tesoro (10.77 GAA, .451 save
… Zukauskas got a taste of Outlook: The Bulldogs are Coach: Jon Basti (fifth year) the young Pioneers could be percentage) to be strong in net
action as a freshman, posting a sneaky challenging team, Key losses: Bryce Jurk, M; an improvement this season. … more than ever. … Holy Cross
a .397 save percentage in five and they have been ever since Brian Masi, M; Chase Godfrey, The opener is Feb. 10 at Stony opens its season Feb. 10 at
games. they upset Syracuse in the D Brook. Providence.
‘WHAT A MOMENT’
n Gamesmanship, resilience
and a thrilling win helped Brown
O
reach first final four in 2016
By Phil Shore
12 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
2018 COLLEGE SEASON PREVIEW Division 1 Women
CENTER
STAGE By Jonathan Sigal
A
cacia Walker-Weinstein, head coach
at Boston College, insists that she’ll
never forget the first time she saw
Sam Apuzzo play, nor when the attack
came for her recruiting visit.
That’s when Walker-Weinstein,
who took over the Eagles for the 2013
season, put the full-court press on Apuzzo.
“We told her she was our big recruit and we’d do any-
thing we could to bring her in,” Walker-Weinstein said.
That urging was magnetic for Apuzzo, who admitted
BC wasn’t initially on her radar screen. A star at her high
school in West Babylon, N.Y., and on the club side for
Long Island Top Gun, Apuzzo was courted by other Atlan-
tic Coast Conference and Big 10 schools.
But one visit to Chestnut Hill later, the eventual five-
year varsity player, four-time captain and two-time high
school All-America was convinced.
“Acacia wanted me to come here, but a lot of other
coaches I met were set back and almost like they didn’t
need me,” Apuzzo said. “Acacia made me feel wanted and
made me feel like I could be a part of this up-and-coming
program.”
Flash forward, and the junior is one of the top offen-
sive threats in the country, having led BC to the national-
title game a year ago, scoring a single-season-program-
record 119 points (80 goals, 39 assists) and winning 71
draw controls along the way. During 2017, Apuzzo also
Boston College’s Sam Apuzzo was an All-ACC first-team member and Tewaaraton
celebrates a goal during the NCAA
championship game against Maryland
Award nominee.
last May at Gillette Stadium. That all adds up to a résumé that might induce some
Continued on Page 14
Continued from Page 13 and we had this old net, and we’d play ‘Horse’
and do different tricks,” Apuzzo said.
cockiness and swagger, but those who Those early days laid the groundwork,
know Apuzzo best maintain the polar op- too, for a player who’s now expected to
posite is true. step into a broader leadership role for the
“If you met Sam on the street, you’d say Eagles.
that’s the nicest girl,” said Colleen Kilgus,
I
Apuzzo’s coach at West Babylon. “You’d T REMAINS TO BE seen if Kenzie
never know what an amazing athlete she is Kent (Norwell, Mass.), the Most Out-
and how talented she is. She’s so shy and so standing Player at last year’s final four,
humble.” will play in 2018, given that she’s also a se-
Kilgus, who also was the 20-year-old’s nior captain on BC’s women’s hockey team.
high school teacher, said Apuzzo is prob- The Eagles also have graduated goalkeeper
ably the best-ever athlete to come out of Zoe Ochoa (Longmeadow, Mass.), mid-
West Babylon, given she also played soc- fielder Mary Kate O’Neill, and attacks Kate
cer and basketball. When probed further, Weeks and Kayla O’Connor (Merrimac,
Kilgus brings up Shannon Smith, the West Mass.).
Babylon native lacrosse fans might recog- In turn, Walker-Weinstein said, even
nize most. more responsibility now awaits Apuzzo.
Smith, who is the head coach at Hofstra, “We’re not trying to change her, but
won three national titles while playing at we’re trying to push her human side a little
Northwestern and also captured the Tewaara- bit and be a little more vocal,” Walker-Wein-
ton Award in 2011. Back home, Smith and stein said. “She has established a little more
Apuzzo live around the corner from each oth- respect from her teammates. The biggest
er, so the BC stalwart would often link up with thing is getting her to understand the pow-
her mentor over summer breaks. er she has because she’s so well respected.”
“I’d be home doing some extra work and Apuzzo said that charge has suited her
Sam would be down at the field, too,” Smith well so far, and she doesn’t take the job
said. “People say she’s quiet and reserved, lightly given BC boasts 13 underclassmen.
but she’d tell me how it was and would be “I can’t predict what will happen, points-
super competitive. If I dropped a ball, she’d wise, because everything changes this year,
ask me ‘What was that for?’ She wasn’t but as a leader I’m doing my best,” Apuzzo
afraid to rub it in.” said. “I’m pretty quiet, so it’s been a strug-
gle to come out and lead, but I’m doing my
W
HEN INTERVIEWED, best.”
Apuzzo is noticeably shy as And while it’s an isolated moment, Kil-
well. She doesn’t go into too gus said a moment from Apuzzo’s junior
much detail when asked about her ACL year at West Babylon shows she’s ready to
tear freshman year, which caused her to lead. They had a playoff game against West
play only nine games and then endure a Islip, another Long Island powerhouse pro-
10-month recovery period. gram, and Apuzzo came in with an injured
In talking about her hometown roots and hamstring.
family, however, Apuzzo opens up. She’s the Playing practically on one leg, Kilgus
youngest of four siblings, and neither her said, Apuzzo had five goals to beat West
parents nor three brothers ever played la- Islip.
crosse beyond high school. “Her determination and her will power
“My brothers never let me get away with to do great things even if she’s not feeling
anything easy,” Apuzzo said. “Whether I great is what really stands out,” Kilgus said.
wanted to play knockout basketball, I had “It shows the type of person she is.”
to prove I was good enough. They pushed They’re moments that add up, though,
me around and it’s where I got my competi- to a lacrosse world that’s champing at the
tive drive.” bit to see what Apuzzo has in store for a BC
Evan Scales/New Englnad Lacrosse Journal
There’s also what Apuzzo calls her program that’s undoubtedly on the rise. If
“street crew,” meaning her neighborhood all goes to plan, Apuzzo will be center stage
friends from back home. She grew up play- every step of the way.
ing with Sam Geiersbach (the 2017 Atlan- “She has no idea that she has the tools to
tic-10 Rookie of the Year at Richmond), Ni- be the most ideal leader,” Walker-Weinstein
cole Levy (who is on the 2017 Tewaaraton said. “She’s really a pure joy to coach.”
Award Watch List at Syracuse) and Kali
Benvenuto (George Washington midfield- @JonathanSigal
er), among others.
“A lot of times, we’d go into my backyard feedback@laxjournal.com
AMERICA EAST
UMass
Lowell
2017 result: 7-9 (1-5 Ameri-
ca East, sixth place)
Coach: Carissa Medeiros
(fourth year, 8-42)
Key losses: Kristy Robert-
son, M
Players to watch: Courtney
Barrett (South Burlington, Vt.),
sr., G (10.73 GAA, .449 save
percentage); Taylor Sokol (Hop-
kinton, Mass.), sr., A (19 goals);
Austin Trasatti, sr., A (19 goals);
Jane Dudley (Duxbury, Mass.),
jr., A (16-18-34); Rebecca Idson,
jr., A (25 goals); Noelle Lambert
16 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
NELJ
D1 Women
Preseason
No. 1: No 2: No. 3: No. 4: No. 5: No. 6: No. 7: No 9: No 10:
Top 10
No 8:
Boston College UMass UConn Fairfield Boston Univ. Harvard Bryant Quinnipiac Sacred Heart Brown
year, 73-45) her lead the league in points. Players to watch: Hafsa The Bears open Feb. 17 against seven wins on the season, but
Key losses: Jacqueline She has two All-Big East first- Moinuddin (Cheshire, Conn.), Quinnipiac. dropped from six to two wins
Jordan, A; Maggie Tripodi, A; team selections to her name jr., M; Mikaela Karlsson, sr., G; in the conference. The team
Jessie Beer, D after getting picked as Rookie Carolyn Paletta, sr., M; Marissa started the season with four
Players to watch: Grace of the Year as a freshman. … Hudgins, sr., D consecutive victories and
Nolan, sr., A (44-33-77); Cassie The Huskies open Feb. 9 at Outlook: The Bears lose a Dartmouth ended it with two, but losing
Ekstrom (Sandy Hook, Conn.), Syracuse. lot of experience on defense be- streaks of three games and five
sr., D (40 GBs, 25 CTs); Kelsey tween Kim and Lane, but of the 2017 result: 7-8 (2-5 Ivy games during the middle parts
Catalano, sr., M (22-5-27); Grace
Beshlian, soph., G (12.90 GAA,
IVY LEAGUE 15 players who scored at least
one point in 2017, only two were
League, sixth overall)
Coach: Danielle Spencer
of the season hurt the team.
Five of those losses, however,
.445 save percentage) seniors. … Three All-Ivy selec- (second year, 7-8) came against teams ranked
Outlook: The Huskies took tions return, including Moinud- Key losses: Courtney in the top 20 in the nation. …
a step back last season, missing Brown din, who led the team in goals Weisse, A; Taryn Deck, M; Although the Big Green lose
the Big East tournament after (33), assists (12) and points (45). Blake Hamblett, D their top scorer from 2017, they
finishing second in the league 2017 result: 6-9 (1-6 Ivy The team also can look to build Players to watch: Kathryn return four players who scored
in 2016. One reason was allow- League, eighth place) off what it accomplished in Giroux, jr., M; Kiera Vrindten, 20 or more points as well as Gi-
ing nearly 13 goals per game, a Coach: Keely McDonald the final 10 days of the season, soph., G; Kierra Sweeney, jr., A roux, who led the conference in
stat that ranked in the bottom (14th year, 83-114) winning two of its final three Outlook: In Spencer’s draw controls per game (7.20).
half of the league. … Nolan is Key losses: Kerianne Hunt, games, including a 14-13 over- first year as head coach, the
coming off a season that saw M; Ali Kim, D; Mollie Lane, D time victory over Columbia. … team stayed the course with Continued on Page 18
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18 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
MAAC NORTHEAST PATRIOT
Boston
Fairfield Bryant University
2017 result: 12-6 (7-1 2017 result: 13-5 (7-0 North- 2017 result: 10-8 (6-3 Pa-
MAAC, second place) east, first place; won Northeast triot League, fourth place)
Coach: Laura Field (third championship); lost to Stony Coach: Liz Robertshaw (11th
year, 21-15) Brook in NCAA first round year, 119-84)
Key losses: Alex Fehmel, M; Coach: Jill Batcheller (sixth Key losses: Caroline
Riley Hellstein, A year, 65-27) Meegan, G; Janelle Macone, D;
Players to watch: Paulina Key losses: Molly Martin, Taylor Hardison, A
DiFatta, soph., G; Erin Mam- D; Carly Cronin, D; Ali Cardi- Players to watch: Kailey
mele (Madison, Conn.), jr., M; nal, A Conry (Needham, Mass.),
Katie Fitzpatrick, sr., M; Brenna Players to watch: Catlin soph., A; Mickenzie Larivee
Connolly, sr., A/M Brown, sr., A (26 goals, 19 as- (Amherst, N.H.), sr., A; Mack-
Outlook: In 2017, three sists); Amanda Moss, sr., D; enzie Howe (Laconia, N.H.),
goalkeepers combined to Samantha Santeramo, sr., G soph., M; Reilly Fletcher, fr.,
help Fairfield have the best (8.91 GAA, .508 save percent- M; Ryann Gaffney, fr., M; Ava
goals-against average in the age); Jess DeMeo (58 goals, 11 Barry, fr., A
conference (8.96). None of assists), jr., A; Lauren Britton, Outlook: For the first time
those three are on the roster jr., M; Caitlin Breglia (40 goals, since 2013, someone other
in 2018, but Field is excited 16 assists), soph., A; than Meegan will be start-
for DiFatta to return after Outlook: The biggest losses ing between the pipes for the
tearing her ACL in the fall of for the Bulldogs were from a de- Terriers. They also gradu-
her freshman year. … Offen- fense that led the NEC in goals ated two starting defenders,
sively, the team graduates its allowed and was a big reason including Macone, who was
top two scorers and 168 points they won the league after losing All-Conference and the team’s
total, but four players that to Wagner in the title game in primary lock-off defender. …
totaled 20-plus points do re- 2016. … The 5-foot-3 DeMeo is What BU lacks in experience
turn, including Connolly, who coming off a season in which on defense, however, it retains
scored 20 goals and led the she was named NEC Offensive on offense. Seven of the nine
team with 25 assists. … The Player of the Year. Breglia was players who scored 10 or more
Stags open Feb. 10 against one of the league’s brightest points return in 2018, as does
Holy Cross. new stars. … Santeramo had a senior Sarah Anderson, who
breakout season in net and will missed all but three games in
be an asset as the last line of 2017 because of an injury but
defense and the unit develops COMING THIS MONTH recovered in time to play for
Quinnipiac in front of her. … Moss, Brown
and Britton are serving as team Rich Gannon
DIV. 1 WOMEN Team Israel in the 2017 FIL
World Cup.
RANKINGS
2017 result: 4-13 (3-5 captains. … Bryant opens its Bonston University’s Kailey Conry
MAAC, sixth place) season Feb. 10 at Yale. returns for her sophomore year.
Coach: Tanya Kotowicz
(second year, 4-13) ures to carry much of the load EVERY WEEK Holy Cross
Key losses: Danielle La Central after a superb freshman season. IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION
Rocca, M; Alex Hlesciak, M; Conn. St. Her 57 points were the most on
Only at laxjournal.com 2017 result: 7-10 (2-7 Patriot
Michele Merwin, A the team, two more than Soto’s League, eighth place)
Players to watch: Kiera 2017 result: 4-12 (3-4 North- 55. … Branthover, who’s played Coach: Amanda Belichick
Kelly, sr., D; Brianna Fitzgerald east, fifth place) in every game since arriving on nique Anselmin, sr., D; Paige (third year, 10-24)
(Norwalk, Conn.), soph., M; Al- Coach: Princess Livingston campus as a freshman, had the Hammick (Avon, Conn.), sr., G Key losses: Mary Patalita,
lison Kuhn, jr., M (second year, 4-12) third-best save percentage in (12.59 GAA, .371 save percent- A; Maddie Ward, M; Tess
Outlook: The win-loss Key losses: Marissa Soto, the league at .453 and made the age); Elizabeth Small, soph., D MacKay, M
record may not seem impres- M; Courtney McPartland, D; most saves. … CCSU opens Feb. Outlook: After three Players to watch: Julia
sive, but the Bobcats earned a Jessica Giangarra, A 17 at St. Joseph’s. straight years of missing the Maloney, sr., G; Baker Earl, jr.,
trip to the MAAC tournament Players to watch: Kylie NEC tournament, Sacred Heart A; Jessi Button, jr., D
in 2017, the first time the team Sullivan, sr., M; Jackie Bran- has lodged itself as a top-four Outlook: The Crusaders
has done so since joining the thover, jr., G; Megan Szaw- Sacred team in each of the last two will look very different in 2018.
league in 2014. … Eleven of the lowski (Leeds, Mass.), soph., A Heart seasons. … The Pioneers gradu- The team’s top three scor-
team’s top 12 scorers return — (30 goals, 27 assists); Cameron ated half their goal-scoring and ers, who combined for 107 of
including leading scorer Kuhn Ruberti (Madison, Conn.), 2017 result: 6-11 (4-3 North- a superb all-around player in the team’s 208 points, are no
(26 goals, 14 assists) — as well soph., A/M east, third place) Delaney. Pearce and Farhat are longer on the team. This year’s
as the entire starting defense. Outlook: The Blue Devils Coach: Laura Cook (19th the only returning players who squad also features 14 fresh-
The program also will have a made strides offensively last year, 156-145) produced double-digit goals. … men, including Meg Donahoe,
new stadium to call its own. spring, upping their output Key losses: Caitlin Delaney, One point of emphasis will be a three-time All-State selection
Instead of playing home games from 6.81 to 9.44 goals per M; Brenna Betsch, D converting more free-position at Fairfield Ludlowe in Fairfield,
at Yale, the Bobcats will play game. But they’ll need to Players to watch: Alyssa shots after they managed just Conn. … Earl (15 goals, 4 as-
home games at the 1,500-seat replace the 50 goals scored by Pearce (33 goals, 9 assists), 29 goals on 79 tries a year ago. sists) is the team’s top return-
Quinnipiac Soccer and La- Soto last year, one third of the Averi Farhat (Hollis, N.H.), sr., … The Pioneers open Feb. 10 at ing scorer. … The Crusaders
crosse Stadium. team’s total. … Szawlowski fig- A (22 goal, 9 assists); Domi- New Hampshire. open Feb. 10 at Fairfield.
COMMITMENT
ISSUES
Quirk, Cannons brass banking
on increased player investment,
draft additions to get back
into MLL playoff picture
By Scott Souza
W
HEN BOSTON CANNONS
head coach Sean Quirk began
constructing the roster that will
enter training camp in March, talent, athleticism and comple-
mentary skill all were important factors.
Yet, there also was one trait that went beyond the measurables that was as im-
portant as any when looking to bring players in to this year’s team.
That trait was commitment.
“We were especially thorough with these guys in the offseason in the supple-
mental draft and with trades we were considering,” said Quirk (Cheshire, Conn.).
“We did a lot of talking to the guys when we could, and asking around about them,
because we wanted players who could give as much commitment to the season as
we possibly could.”
It may sound like a simple request in a professional sport. But with most Major
League Lacrosse players having full-time jobs in other professions — and not being
local to the teams they play for — that commitment level can be elusive.
Even players who sign for a full season can have responsibilities to indoor
teams, job and family obligations that conflict with the summer MLL season, and
limitations to how mentally invested they are in the program when they do make it
Continued on Page 22
20 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
NEW ENGLAND BLACK WOLVES
SECOND IMPRESSION
New England Black Wolves
T
By Phil Shore
Former ing that is an amazing time. I was the first
player drafted by the team, so it’s pretty cool.
HE NEW ENGLAND BLACK WOLVES came into training camp
for the 2018 season with several new faces. Veteran acquisitions such
first-round I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t think
anybody does until you play at the profes-
as David Brock and Aaron Bold arrived alongside rookie draft picks
such as Colton Watkinson and Anthony Joaquim.
draft pick sional level.”
Cockerton played in 13 games as a rookie,
The player that impressed the ownership and coaching staff the
most, however, wasn’t entirely new. Rather, he was returning to Mo-
Mark scoring 11 goals and adding 17 assists. The
team struggled, however, finishing 4-14,
hegan Sun after two years away: Mark Cockerton. Cockerton which put a damper on his first season.
“I didn’t know Mark. I wasn’t here when the team drafted him,” It also was his only season in New Eng-
Black Wolves coach Glenn Clark said. “He re-committed himself to finding his way back. is back with land. He was released prior to the start of the
He’s in very good shape. He’s very fit. He had a real good season in the pro field league, 2016 campaign.
and I think he was motivated to show he’s worthy of that draft position and really wanted to the Black “It was a weird year for us. We go 2-0 and
make a real run at it. He was very good in training camp.” then 2-14 down the stretch. You’re trying to
The Black Wolves made Cockerton the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft, Wolves, and hang on just to get a win somewhere,” Lisk
the first draft the franchise participated in after moving to Connecticut. said. “He got caught in that vortex of, ‘What
“I got a call from Jordan Hall saying because of work commitments he could not play in ready can we do to make something happen?’ Our
New England,” New England general manager Rich Lisk said. “We didn’t think (Cockerton coaches wanted to make a change and he
would) take over for Jordan Hall, but here’s a chance for a rookie to step into a spot. We to finally was at the other end.”
thought he was the best lefty available. We were happy Mark fell to us to take him there.”
Not only was Cockerton a successful field lacrosse star — helping the University of Vir- make “I was definitely shocked when Rich
called me and told me the news,” Cockerton
ginia win an NCAA championship as a freshman and graduating in a tie for eighth on the
program’s career goals list (125) — he also was an accomplished box lacrosse player. The his mark added. “I thought I had an OK camp that year.
I thought I played well, but I wasn’t putting
Oshawa, Ontario, native helped lead the Whitby Warriors to win the 2011 Minto Cup Junior the ball in the back of the net. I thought I was
A lacrosse championships, scoring three goals in the final.
“Being drafted was an honor and something I dreamt of doing,” Cockerton said. “Do- Continued on Page 22
the supplemental draft Jan. 23. going to come in my second year nity and ran with it.
The trade with New York and have a breakout year.” “I would have played any-
was the first between the teams With a new head coach where, but when New England
since the ill-fated summer dead- (Clark), the Black Wolves won 10 called, it was special,” he said.
line deal that sent Will Manny games in 2016 and reached the “I wanted to be here the entire
to Long Island in exchange for division final. time. To be back, I’m just excited
Dave Lawson (Westford, Mass.) The separation was not as for a chance to contribute and
and Chris LaPierre. Neither Law- positive for Cockerton. He signed make a championship run.”
son nor LaPierre chose to report with the Rochester Knighthawks It also was special for Lisk to
to Boston, leaving Boston noth- and scored a goal in his first call Cockerton and tell him he
ing to show for dealing its top game with his new team, but his earned a roster spot.
scorer amid a playoff push. first game with Rochester also “I did have a vested interest
“When something like that would be his final game with the in him,” Lisk said. “I couldn’t be
happens, you don’t want to point team. He didn’t feature for anoth- happier to tell him not only was
to any one reason why it hap- er team the rest of 2016, nor did he on the team, but he was one of
pens,” Quirk said. “But it does he play the following season. the best in camp and you earned
make you cautious. We try to do Cockerton was left to figure your spot. It was the best phone
our homework with any deal and out why he struggled to stick call I had to make all year.”
Ryan Walsh is a guy we know with a team in the NLL. Cockerton played in two of the
well. We have a good re- “I just think (it was) probably team’s first four games, scoring
lationship with (Lizards the lack of indoor lacrosse the one goal as the Wolves opened
22 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
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LAXTOWN
Upton & n In the Blackstone Valley,
a decade of growth is producing
results at Nipmuc Regional High
Grafton, Mass.
By Kevin Henkin
I
n some communities, lacrosse
has a long-standing presence.
Such towns tend to enjoy boom-
ing youth programs, which set
the stage for success at the high
school level.
In the Massachusetts towns of Upton
and Grafton, which share Nipmuc Re-
gional High School in the heart of the
Blackstone Valley, lacrosse is gaining
steam at both the youth and high school
levels simultaneously.
“I think on both the boys’ and girls’
sides, you’re talking about relatively
young programs,” said Chris Schmidt,
the athletic director at Nipmuc High
School. “With a history of 10 to 12 years,
that may not sound that young, but with
the state of lacrosse in Massachusetts, it
is.”
Schmidt has been down this path be-
fore, as he was instrumental in building
the lacrosse programs in nearby Frank-
lin more than a decade ago.
“It took us 10 or 12 years to really get
it off the ground where it was a viable
program where we had girls coming in
left and right, and look at where they are
now,” Schmidt said. “I think you can un-
derestimate the impact that youth pro-
grams have.”
In 2017, the high school programs at The Nipmuc Regional High School boys
Nipmuc reached a combined new height team went 19-2 last year before bowing out
of success. On the boys’ side, the team against powerhouse Grafton in the Central/
Western Massachusetts Division 3 semifinals.
went 19-2 before bowing out against
Grafton in the Central/Western Massa- strong as it should have been,” he said.
chusetts Division 3 semifinals. “There weren’t a lot of tight games.
“It was a great season,” said coach There were a lot of blowouts and a cou-
Eric Brockett, who won Coach of the ple of close games. This upcoming sea-
Year honors for the Mid-Mass. Lacrosse son, we’ve really upped the competitive-
League. “We did beat Grafton in our ness of the schedule, which will better
opening game. In the end, however, we prepare us for the postseason. We’ll be
fell short of our goal of winning the dis- playing one of the toughest schedules
trict title. But losing to Grafton as the in Central Mass this year. We won’t have
now three-time state finalist is certainly as good of a record, I don’t think, but we
a respectable team to lose to.” expect to be a stronger team in terms of
Reflecting back on his team’s tremen- competing at district and hopefully be-
dous season in 2017, Brockett focused on yond.”
lessons to be learned. Entering his sixth season as the coach
“Our schedule was probably not as of the high school team, Brockett also re-
24 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
New England Lacrosse Journal profiles
the lacrosse history and passion
of towns around New England.
mains highly involved with the Nipmuc In 2017, the squad finished 11-
Youth Lacrosse Association, of which he
was a founding member. AT A GLANCE 8, falling to Granby in the first
round of the state tournament.
“You have to have a youth program “The girls’ side is seeing a
and a critical mass of experienced play- Location real surge both at
ers coming into the high school,” Brock- Upton and Mendon are located in the the youth level
ett said. “Otherwise, you’re simply not Blackstone Valley corridor, 15 miles and at the
going to be competitive. You also have to southeast of Worcester and 36 miles southwest of central Massachusetts. The region was an high school
have that core group of players involved of Boston. early center of the industrial revolution in level. That
year-round at the club level to compete the United States. Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon program is
against the best teams.”
A continuous challenge, of course, is
Population is the state’s largest zoo. The Mendon Twin very much up
and coming,”
About 13,000 combined Drive-In is one of only three drive-in theaters in
the loss of top-tier players in the commu- Massachusetts. Brockett said.
nity to local prep schools. “Chrissy has
“In a good year, we’ll get eight to About town Local legends done a great
10 good players coming up from the Mendon was settled in 1660 and incorporated Aerosmith’s first concert took place at Nipmuc job building them forward.”
youth program to the high school level, in 1667. Upton was settled in 1728 and incor- Regional High School (now Miscoe Hill Middle It’s all added up to sport surging for-
but some of those kids get lost to prep porated in 1735. The Nipmuc name refers to the School in Mendon) on Nov. 6, 1970. ward in the community.
schools like St. John’s-Shrewsbury or Native American tribe that inhabited almost all — KEVIN HENKIN “I see our success continuing to grow,
other schools,” Brockett said. “I hear on the girls’ and the boys’ sides,” Schmidt
it from other coaches all the time, so I said. “Both Eric and Chrissy have done a
know every school deals with this sort community, Brockett has seen his share we’ve done well. And the overall level of very good job of moving us forward with
of thing to a certain extent, but it can of changes in the landscape. play is much higher because we have a these highly competitive programs.”
sometimes have more of an impact on a “It’s become visible,” he said. “We’re lot more players coming up.”
smaller program like ours.” getting more fans and more public rec- On the girls’ side, the team also is on @CSL_Kevin
In his 12-plus years of involvement in ognition at the high school level be- the rise. In 2016, under first-year coach
building lacrosse in the Upton/Mendon cause it’s such an exciting sport and Chrissy Manzella, the team finished 14-7. feedback@laxjournal.com
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26 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
GET REPS
Gillette
wanted his team to abandon its up-and- ceoff specialist Will Gural won 18 of 24 fa- job at the University of Virginia after the
down style of play in order to kill the clock. ceoffs and picked up 11 ground balls, and season. For a team that was so close — Bel-
“(We couldn’t) think like we’re holding goaltender Jack Kelly made 12 saves. listri said their goal was to “lead the nation
Continued from Page 12 on for dear life, but just keep playing,” he While the team was extremely excited to in chest bumps and fist bumps” — it was a
said. “We played fast and could give up a play another day, what Bellistri remembered special memory for the coaches and players
game-high four goals, but Navy quickly four-goal lead, and that happened some- was the respect the two teams had for each to have before going their separate ways.
chipped away to get it back to a one-goal times when we accelerated our pace of other and displayed at the end of the game. “The way the New England fans rallied
deficit thanks to two Casey Rees goals in play, but that was a better option than tell- “My father played at Navy, so it was — boy, what a moment,” Tiffany said. “The
the last 2:11 of the third quarter and a Matt ing our guys to be smart and hold on to a cool experience,” he said. “All of us team and staff and myself we’ll never forget
Rees goal within the first 30 seconds of the ball. I made that mistake before, and I celebrated on the field. The fans, every- how much passion and love was behind us.”
the fourth quarter. wasn’t going to make it again.” one, was still standing there. Navy starts “It was something I’ll look back on with
“I don’t know how coaches coach those Brown and Navy would trade goals walking off the field. The Naval Acad- great fondness,” Bellistri added. “It was a
types of games,” Molloy said. “I was dy- the remainder of the game, with Bellistri’s emy as a whole, the military institutions, pretty awesome experience. I was lucky
ing. A one-goal game. I don’t know how score with 2:22 remaining proving to be we respect them. We all turned around to be a part of it and make memories with
they go through those ups and downs. I the difference for a 11-10 Brown victory. and started clapping. The whole stands those guys in the locker room.”
didn’t know if my season was going to be Bellistri finished with four goals — ty- clapped. They put up an incredible fight.”
over, but I was hoping they’d pull it out, so ing the school record for goals in a sea- That would be one of the final two games @PShore15
I could try and suit up against Maryland.” son with 62 — and two assists, and Tills for seniors such as Bellistri and Kelly, as
Despite the small lead, Tiffany never scored two goals and added an assist. Fa- well as Tiffany, who took a head coaching feedback@laxjournal.com
28 NEW ENGLAND LACROSSE JOURNAL February 2018 Free digital subscription at SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
LACROSSE NUTRITION
Bryant
back to the lacrosse field. While he says
there isn’t a ton of crossover between the
two sports, something about playing on
Continued from Page 8 the same field for two sports has to bring
a few similarities.
with his athleticism,” Pressler said. “His “I think being in season, in the fall
lacrosse IQ is off the charts. His skill set and spring, helps me stay in really good
is second to none, and he’s the fastest kid shape,” he said “You have to be in la-
on the field.
“He’s a pure, incredible two-way mid-
crosse, running up and down the field.
Making people miss, running on the
ALL-NEW CONTENT
fielder. He’s an accomplished offensive
player, better than ever. He can feed it
field, trying to get in the open field in
football and lacrosse. Trying to get my
EVERY DAY,
and shoot it. He’s a great defender, too.
A first-team All-Conference player, he’s
hands free to shoot, I think that trans-
lates a bit. There’s not too much cross-
EVERY WEEK
going to pick it up right where he was over, but I think it’s mostly staying in re- College rankings
and take it to a new level.” ally good shape.” (Division 1 men & women,
For a while, it was all lacrosse for Ken- With his college football career over Division 2 men, Division 3 men)
nedy. That’s when he really took off. De- at Bryant, Kennedy’s focus has shifted
spite some starts in his freshman year, fully to lacrosse once again. A senior Prep school rankings
he rose during his sophomore season captain, he was voted as a team leader High school rankings
and gave football a break. despite missing fall workouts for foot-
“I took some time off just because ball, an ultimate sign of respect from his Recruiting and
after my freshman year, I had a better lacrosse teammates. college prospects
experience playing lacrosse,” he said. “I It’s even more motivation to keep Club lacrosse
played much more; I was starting after getting better, and performing at a high
a few games. So I thought I would just level in yet another season at Bulldog Tournaments, showcases
focus on that. But I always had football Stadium. … and more!
in the back of my mind, either taking a “The transformation has been huge,”
fifth year somewhere or returning to play Kennedy said. “From the player I was my
for Bryant.” freshman year, looking back, there were
Sign up for a FREE digital subscription
The lack of an overlap between the things I could do a lot better. Even now, to receive every new issue and get our
seasons has made it a seamless transi- there’s things to learn. But I’m taking steps new NELJ Weekly Insider newsletter!
tion between the two sports. Kennedy in the right direction in my time here.”
had the winter season off to focus on la-
crosse once football ended in November.
But that doesn’t mean Kennedy
@Marisa_Ingemi SeamansMedia.com/neljfree
doesn’t take some of his football skills feedback@laxjournal.com
Basic bio Favorites Practice drill: “We call it ‘Pioneer.’ It’s 4-v-3s and 3-v-2s.
We do it almost every day. All the guys really like it.”
Actor: Will Ferrell | Movie: “Lone Survivor”
TV show: “Entourage”
School: UMass Lowell Pregame meal: “I always like to have chicken parm the Food: “I’m a big fan of chicken wings.” Book: “Extreme Ownership”
Year: Senior night before a game.” Vacation spot: “I spend a lot of time in Newburyport, Video game: “Rocket League”
Position: Defender Favorite visiting stadium: “Stony Brook is prob- Mass., in the summer.” Sport other than lacrosse: Football
Hometown: Westford, Mass. ably my favorite. It’s a nice big stadium because of their Band: “I’m gonna go with Eddie Money.” Athlete: Julian Edelman Team: Patriots
High school: Westford Academy football team. It’s a good environment there.” Song: “Shakin’ ” by Eddie Money Article of clothing: Shoes
tank centrik
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