Rohnert Park, CA – Sonoma State Men’s Lacrosse has announced Panchito Ojeda has been promoted to Head Coach and Matt Blamey to Associate Head Coach. Sonoma State finished second in the WCLL this past year and seventh in the final Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Coach’s Poll.

The Sonoma State Men’s Lacrosse team has agreed to mutually part ways with Doug Carl who served as Head Coach for the past three seasons. Sonoma State Men’s Lacrosse would like to thank Coach Carl for his years of service to the SSU program and wish him the best in all future endeavors.

“At the conclusion of the year Doug and I sat down to discuss the future of SSU Lacrosse.” said long time team administrator Mike Annala. “After much discussion we agreed that with his pending family obligations, which would require him to step away from coaching in a year, it would be best for the coaching change to occur now. Doug has always considered the interests of the program and players as the primary goal and he will continue to be a valued friend and resource to both me and the team.”

“First and foremost I would like to thank Doug Carl for his contributions to Sonoma State Lacrosse and the opportunity to join Sonoma in 2010. I could not be more excited with where our program has come from and where we are going.” Ojeda continued, “Coach Blamey came here in 2011 and his impact was immediately felt. He guided the defense to a Top 5 rating in the country and will be an intricate part of the continued growth of Sonoma State Lacrosse.”

“We have made significant strides in my first couple of seasons with Sonoma State. The opportunity Coach Carl has given me has been a great one for which I will always be thankful. I am excited to do my part and continue to contribute to the success of our program at the both the conference and national level.” added Blamey. “ More importantly, I look forward to keeping Sonoma State as a model MCLA program and tremendous environment for student-athletes to flourish!”

Panchito Ojeda was the Head Coach at Marquette University from 2007-2010 before joining on at Sonoma State as the Assistant Coach. He has been the Offensive Coordinator the past two years. Matt Blamey joined Sonoma State in 2011 after serving as the founder and first head coach at Northern Virginia Community College, the first junior college lacrosse program in the state of Virginia. He has been the Defensive Coordinator at SSU for the past two years.

About Sonoma State
Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA and has an enrollment of just over 9,000 students. Sonoma State Men’s Lacrosse competes in the Western College Lacrosse League (WCLL) Division I. Follow Sonoma State Men’s Lacrosse online at http://ssulacrosse.com

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2013

Men’s Lacrosse Adds Seven for Next Season

SALT LAKE CITY – Fresh off a runner-up finish at the 2013 MCLA Division II National Championships, the Westminster College men’s lacrosse team announced its signing class for the 2014 season on Wednesday. Head coach Mason Goodhand has added seven student-athletes for next season when the team moves to Division I of the MCLA.

Andrew Baird, D, Carlsbad, CA / San Marcos HS

Baird is a 6-foot-3, 195 pound defender and three year varsity player for Coach Mike Mathai’s San Marcos Knights.   As a senior and team Captain in 2013, the Knights have outperformed expectations with an 11-4 regular season record in the very tough San Diego CIF in which they have amassed 31 wins across the last 3 years.

“Andrew is a rangy athlete with very strong on ball fundamentals and above average awareness and lacrosse IQ,” assistant coach Brad Lavoie said. “Along with those attributes, we are also excited about the leadership qualities that he has shown down the stretch this season as his defense heads into the postseason giving up a stingy 4.7 goals per game.”

In past summers Andrew attended 205 east, the Nifty 60 and Elite 100 recruiting events as well as the Uplax Summer Shootout.   Baird plans to study Computer Science at Westminster.

Jake Berard, M, Meridian, ID / Meridian HS

A 5-foot-8, 185 pound speedster, Berard is a throwback two-way midfielder through and through.  As a four year varsity starter in high school he has helped lead his team on defense, offense, special teams as well as at the face-off X.  He is a 4.0 student in the classroom and a two year starter for the Warrior football team as an option Quarterback garnering All-Conference honorable mention accolades.  In past summers, Berard has traveled with the Sawtooth Lacrosse Club, All-Idaho Team as well as the Utah Black Hawks, making an all-star appearance at the 2012 Denver Shootout and leading his Black Hawks team to the Semi-finals at the 2012 Adrenaline Elite Shootout.  Berard plans to major in Biology as a pre-med student at WC starting in the fall.

Dylan Check, M, Las Vegas, NV / Faith Lutheran HS

Check is a 5-foot-10, 165 pound midfielder and three year varsity performer for Coach James Gravitt and the Crusaders.  A very aggressive player on both ends, Check has shown the willingness to scrap for ground balls that will make him an instant fit in the Griffin system.  Also a varsity soccer player at FLHS, he is noticeably strong in transition with good instincts and vision that will pay dividends as he moves on to the next level.  Check has spent the past three summers running for Coach Gary Campo and the Vegas Starz competing in the adrenaline series tournaments and recruiting events, as well as the 2011 UA All-American tryouts.

“We are excited about his potential in up-tempo college game and look forward to getting his competitiveness in the weight room and at practice every day,” Lavoie commented.

Check’s intended major is History with a film minor.

Ryan Coffelt, M, Yorba Linda, CA / Esperanza HS

At 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, Coffelt brings a pound-for-pound toughness to the field with him every day that was a pleasure to watch on the summer circuit.  As the sport of lacrosse becomes more and more specialized, Coffelt is a true throw back player setting out to do whatever is necessary for his team to be competitive that day.  He is crafty at the face off X, extremely quick and gritty on ground balls and a legit threat in transition.  As a three year varsity performer for Coach Deron Hansen, Coffelt was awarded team MVP and received his teams “Iron Man Award” in 2012. In past summers, Coffelt ran with the OC Kings for Max & Zander Ritz and competed in the Adrenaline Series team events.  Coffelt intends to major in communications.

Josh Holland, A/M, Riverton, UT / Riverton HS / Seton Hill Univ. (PA)

Josh is a 6-foot, 185 pound sophomore transfer that is capable of high production from the midfield as well as the attack.  He prepped at Riverton High School where he was First Team All-State and named a US Lacrosse HS All-American as a senior.  Holland is a prototypical slasher with a devastating first step and a lightning quick release to match.  He is regarded by many as one of the most talented lacrosse players to ever come out of the state of Utah.  Holland brings a 3.5 GPA and an unstoppable work ethic with him to Westminster. Holland recently returned home to Utah after serving a two-year church mission in Mexico.  His intended major is currently undecided.

David Lopez, D, Marietta, GA / Lassiter HS

At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Lopez is a physical defender with the mean streak absolutely necessary for success as a close defender at the next level.  As a three year varsity performer for Coach Brendan Leezer, Lopez has shown the ability to quickly process information and lead an aggressive Trojan defense.  He is a two-time team captain and defensive MVP whose strong vocal leadership helped propel his team back to the 2012 Georgia HS State Championship Game. Across the last two seasons, Lopez has captained his team to a 31-5 record and a 4.95 goals-against-average.  Lopez is expected to arrive in shape ready to compete from day one in the fall. Lopez plans on majoring in engineering.

Jack Ryan, D, Englewood, CO / Kent Denver HS

Ryan is a 6-foot-4, 190 pound defender for Coach Ben Brenneman and the Kent Denver Sun Devils.  A role player in a very strong nationally recognized program, Ryan has a tremendously high ceiling as a lengthy close defender at the college level.

“He is quickly becoming a gym rat and we are excited about the work ethic he will bring with him to our program,” Lavoie added. “Jack has completed a rigorous National Outdoor Leadership Course in Alaska and now becomes the second member our program to do so.”

Ryan will major in Aviation at Westminster College.

This group of seven will join a 2014 team that will also feature the return of key players to the program after church missions and red shirt seasons in 2012.

ABOUT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE

Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college.  With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC or WestminsterPR on Twitter.

United States Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse Team

NEWS RELEASE

COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN’S LACROSSE MAKES HISTORY WITH 2013 MCLA TOURNEY BID

New London, Conn. – For the first time in the 29 year program history, the Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse Team will be making an appearance in the MCLA National Tournament. The No. 9 seeded Bears head to Greenville S.C. for a first-round match-up against No. 8 Sam Houston State University on Monday at 1:30 P.M.

For those of you not familiar, the United States Coast Guard Academy, founded in 1876, is the smallest of the five federal Service Academies with about 900 cadets. The Coast Guard Academy graduates young men and women to serve as Commissioned Officers in the U.S. Coast Guard. Founded by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, the Coast Guard lays claim to being the United States’ oldest continuous seagoing service. While the Coast Guard is notable as the oldest life-saving service in the world, its roles include more than just Maritime Safety and Security. The Coast Guard is also called upon for critical service in protection of natural resources, maritime mobility (management of maritime traffic, commerce and navigation) and national defense.

Situated on a beautiful campus on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut, the Coast Guard Academy provides a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program with a full scholarship for each individual. Each year, approximately 200 Ensigns are commissioned during graduation exercises in May.

In just a few short weeks, the 1/c cadets (seniors) on the Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse Team will report for duty aboard cutters, at Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and at Sector offices in ports nationwide. Graduates of the academy are obligated to serve five years in the Coast Guard, though many choose to stay and make a rewarding, life-long career of their maritime military service. This year’s graduating 1/c cadets and their initial assignments include:

1/c Andrew Bogdan – Naval Flight Training – Pensacola, FL
1/c Conor Breckenridge – USCGC BERTHOLF – Alameda, CA
1/c Michael Cooper – USCGC MACKINAW – Cheboygan, MI
1/c Steven Danseglio (C) – USCGC HARRIET LANE – Portsmouth, VA
1/c Justin Dougherty – Naval Flight Training – Pensacola, FL
1/c Austin English (C) – Naval Flight Training – Pensacola, FL
1/c James Fennessey – USCGC CYPRESS – Pensacola, FL
1/c Benjamin Hinchman – USCGC VIGILANT – Port Canaveral, FL
1/c James Lord – USCGC CAMPBELL – Portsmouth, NH
1/c Graham Pitcairn – Naval Flight Training – Pensacola, FL
1/c Andrew Ray – USCGC GALLATIN – Charleston, SC
1/c Steele Johnson – USCGC ELM – Atlantic Beach, NC
1/c Timothy Wyderko (C) – USCGC DEPENDABLE – Cape May, NJ

USCGC = United State Coast Guard Cutter

After the season ends, the typical college lacrosse players spend summer vacation at home, utilizing free time to lounge by the pool or at the beach, earning some much-needed cash at an internship or full-time job and playing lacrosse in the local summer league. For Coast Guard Academy lacrosse players the summer training period always proves to be anything but typical. As soon as the season is over – the rest of the underclass cadets will head out for their summer training program where cadets learn about leadership through immersion in the ultimate setting – the operational Coast Guard. They learn about the roles of officers and the enlisted as they see the United States and the world as members of a Coast Guard crew. Cadets in summer training find themselves in thrilling experiences that include: sailing aboard the tall ship Eagle to various ports of call, flying in Coast Guard aircraft as a part of the Cadet Aviation Training Program and participating in Internships for Engineering, Government, Science or Operations at centers of excellence through the country.

Coast Guard, who finished as the regular season Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League (PCLL) Champions with an 11-1 record, earned an at-large bid and a No. 9 seed after losing in the Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League (PCLL) Tournament finals. Sam Houston State University, who sits at 15-2 this year, also earned an at-large bid despite claiming the Lone Star Alliance (LSA) championship – due to the LSA losing their automatic qualifier bid this year.

The winner of Wednesday’s match-up will advance to face the survivor of the University of St. Thomas – Depaul bout. The second round is scheduled for Tuesday.

Coast Guard and Sam Houston State University have never faced each other, but have one common opponent this season. Both squads faced SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design this year with Coast Guard posting a 14-10 victory in those contests, while Sam Houston State won 12-5.

Interestingly, the Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse team is wearing orange away uniforms (Coast Guard MH-65Cs helicopters have an orange paint scheme) this year to honor Captain Nelson and the 6505 crew that included Lieutenant Commander Andrew Wischmeier, AST1 David Skimin and AMT2 Joshua Nichols. In September 2008, Coast Guard lacrosse player Captain Thomas D. Nelson, Class of 1988, was added as the 61st name on WALL OF REMEMBRANCE (which honors Academy graduates who have perished while carrying out operational missions) after he perished aboard Coast Guard MH-65C helicopter 6505 off the coast of Hawaii. “So Others May Live” is inscribed on the inside of the collar and is the official motto of Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. The Team Captains decided that this motto epitomized the Coast Guard’s mission of selfless service. The Coast Guard core values – HONOR, RESPECT and DEVOTION TO DUTY – appear on the inner waistband of the shorts. The core values are more than just Coast Guard rules of behavior. They are deeply rooted in the heritage that has made our organization great. Because Cadets represent the Coast Guard to the public, they must embrace these values on the field, in their professional undertakings as well as in their personal lives.

For additional information – check out: www.coastguardlax.vicid.net

As the smallest of the five U.S. service academies, the Coast Guard Academy offers the elite higher education, rigorous professional development, and honor and tradition of a military academy but with a more personalized approach.

The Coast Guard Academy offers an integrated life experience which emphasizes academics, physical fitness, character and leadership, in order to graduate officers of the highest caliber. Graduates go directly to positions of leadership in “The Shield of Freedom,” one of the most admired organizations in the world. The Academy also features an impressive teacher-student ratio and picturesque waterfront campus that instills a traditional small college feel.

Cadets devote themselves to an honor concept and graduate to work at sea, on land, in the air, and even in space, in meaningful careers of selfless service to others.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY MEN’S LACROSSE

Rams Earn #1 Seed at MCLA Tournament

Fort Collins, CO - 5/6/13 – On the backs of a 15-0 regular season and a fourth straight Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference title, the Colorado State Rams will enter the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association’s national tournament as the #1 seed. The Rams, who won the title in 2012, have been perched atop the MCLA polls all year and come into the tourney as the top seed for the first time since the 2006 season.

CSU will face off against the 16th seeded Purdue Boilermakers next Monday in Greenville, SC. Colorado State and Purdue have never before played and will feature several of the top playmakers in the MCLA. The Boilermakers, who rebounded from an 0-2 start to win 9 of their next 11 games, obtained a tournament berth as the automatic qualifier from the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference.

Colorado State won the automatic qualifier from the RMLC after taking down Utah 17-4 and 2nd ranked Colorado 9-6 in the conference tournament. The Rams have defeated the numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 16, and 22 teams in the MCLA on the way to their record fourth-straight conference title. This will be the 15th appearance for the Rams in the MCLA tournament, where they have advanced to 11 semifinal games and won five national championships.

Purdue dropped early season contests to North Carolina State and Clemson before suffering defeats against Wisconsin and Indiana in the regular season. The Boilermakers avenged their losses to both conference foes in the GRLC tournament, defeating Wisconsin 8-7 and the rival Hoosiers 11-10 in the championship game. Their tournament championship and appearance in the MCLA tournament are both firsts in Purdue’s history.

The Rams are led by senior attackman Austin Fisher (Rock Canyon HS / Highlands Ranch, CO), who won RMLC Offensive Player of the Year honors, and senior face-off specialist Dan Warfield (Smoky Hill HS / Aurora, CO), who is winning nearly 67% of his draws on the season. Purdue’s main scoring comes from junior Palen Rhodes, an honorable mention All-America selection in 2012, and freshman Greg Behning, who has 46 points on the season.

CSU is currently outscoring teams 12.8 to 4.3 on the season while Purdue has given up double digits only three times.
Face-off for the Rams and Boilermakers is scheduled for 4:00pm EST on Monday, May 13 in Greenville, SC at the Wenwood Soccer Complex.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

6 CLEMSON MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYERS HONORED WITH ALL CONFERENCE HONORS

Brian Murphy and Charlie Pontiakos earn Player of the Year Recognition

Greenville, SC: Six Clemson Men’s Lacrosse team members were honored as members on the 2013 SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) All Conference Team and two were selected as Player of Year at their respective positions.

The SELC consists of 41 teams divided into 2 Divisions, I and II. Twenty teams comprise Division I in which Clemson competes.

Senior co-captain Brian Murphy (Bel Air, MD/CM Wright) was selected the 1st team Defense and also recognized as the SELC Defensive Player of the Year. Brian was matched up in each game against the opposition’s leading offensive threat and in every game held his opponent to less than his game average in points. Brian collected 48 ground balls, 2nd on the team and contributed on the offensive end of the field, scoring 4 goals and adding an assist. Brian has been a 4 year member of the All Conference team each of the 4 years he played at Clemson, making Honorable Mention as a freshman and sophomore and 2nd team as a junior.

Sophomore midfielder Charlie Pontiakos(Charlotte, NC/Myers Park)was named to the 1st Team All SELC team as the face-off specialist and was also honored as the SELC Specialty player of the Year for the 2nd consecutive season. Charlie again dominated at the face-off X, winning 163 of 245 draws (.665%). He also led the Clemson team in ground balls with 49. Charlie won identical awards as a freshman in 2012.

Senior attackman James McLoughlin (Long Beach, NY/Long Beach) was named to the 1st team All SELC. James tallied 53 points on 32 goals and 21 assists, averaging 4 points a game despite facing the opponents top defense talent. James also collected 34 ground balls on the season.

Senior midfielder Joe Brandt (Woodbine, MD/Century) was honored on the 2nd Team All SELC squad. Joe led the Clemson midfielders in scoring with 16 goals and 3 assists for 20 points and added 24 ground balls.

Senior attackman “TJ” Ahern (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) was named to the Honorable Mention team at attack. TJ totaled 29 points on 15 goals and 14 assists and led the Tiger attack in ground balls with 38.

Junior midfielder Mike Maher (Baltimore,MD/Loyola Blakefield received Honorable Mention as a short-stick defensive midfielder. This is a position that is not adequately represented by statistics but characterized by strong and consistent defensive play against the opposition’s top offensive midfielders. Mike tallied 1 goal on the season and collected 25 ground balls.

The 2012 Clemson Tigers finished with a 7-8 record while playing a strength of schedule ranked 9th in the nation. Each loss came to teams ranked in the national Top 25 including two 8-7 heartbreakers in overtime to Georgia Tech and Georgia, the two finalists in the SELC Championship game on Sunday, April 28th. Clemson and Georgia Tech went 3 overtimes before reaching a decision and in the opening round of the SELC Playoffs, Clemson and Georgia played deep into the 4th OT before Georgia scored to win the game.

For more information on Clemson Lacrosse visit the team website at www.laxteams.net/Clemson.

Simon Fraser defeats Montana 19-5 to Claim Top Spot in PNCLL North

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By William Howard, SFU Lacrosse Media Relations
Simon Fraser University Men’s Lacrosse

Event: Men’s Lacrosse
Site: Terry Fox Field, Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC)
Score: No. 19 Simon Fraser University 19, University of Montana 5
Record: SFU (11-5, 4-0 PNCLL Div. I North), UM (5-8, 2-2 PNCLL Div. I North)
Next SFU Game: Saturday, May 4, 2012, 9:00pm PDT – PNCLL Semi-Final vs. #2S Oregon State University – Portland, OR (Wilsonville High School)

BURNABY, BC (April 23, 2013) – Simon Fraser mounted a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, on route to defeating Montana by a final score of 19-5. The decisive victory earned the Clan their sixth straight divisional title, clinching top spot in the PNCLL North heading into the Final Four Conference Championships, May 4-5 at Wilsonville High School in Portland, Oregon. The win also climbed SFU up two spots to No. 17 in the latest Nike / Inside Lacrosse Top 25 Poll, released earlier today on MCLA.us.

Senior attackmen Colton Dow (Coquitlam, BC / Heritage Woods Secondary) – 3g, 2a, and Eric Ransom (Sherwood Park, AB / Bev Facey HS) – 2g, 3a, continued to lead Fraser offensively, on a day where 12 different Clan payers registered points. The 5 points each provided a memorable end to their final regular season game as part of Senior Day at Terry Fox Field, joining fellow fourth-year player, goaltender Kyle Middleton (Nanaimo, BC / Woodlands Secondary) who went the distance with 5 saves, to represent the three members of SFU’s 2013 Senior Class. Midfielders Sam Clare (Ladner, BC / Vancouver College) – 3g, 1a, and Andrew Branting (Duncan, BC / Cowichan Secondary) – 3g, also had strong games on the scoresheet, each with a hattrick to end the regular season.

Dow opened the scoring, casually rolling the ball into the Griz net, followed by a solo effort on a drive from fellow attackman Ward Spencer (Saskatoon, SK / Evan Hardy Collegiate) to put the Clan up 2-0. Freshman attack Lyndon Knuttila (Maple Ridge, BC / Thomas Haney Secondary) then found sophomore midfielder Casey Foster (Edmonton, AB / St. Francis Xavier) who wired a shot past the Montana keeper to give Simon Fraser a 3-goal lead heading into the second frame.

SFU would continue to dominate in the second quarter, outscoring the Griz 6-0 on goals by Ransom, Branting, freshman midfielder Jordan Stroup (Coquitlam, BC / Dr. Charles Best Secondary), Clare, Dow and sophomore midfielder Travis Hayes (Dublin, CA / Dublin HS), to showcase the Clan’s depth with six different SFU players finding the back of the visitor’s net.

Leading 9-0 out of the break, Ransom connected with Dow to cap-off a 10-0 SFU run to start the match-up. Montana midfielder Henry Bishop (Portland, OR / Chester HS) then beat a Clan double team in transition to finally get the Griz on the board at 10-1. The UM offensive would be short-lived as SFU went on another 4-goal run started by freshmen midfielder Matt Bailey (Richmond, BC / H.J. Cambie Secondary), followed by markers from Branting, Knuttila and Clare to extend the Fraser lead to thirteen at 14-1. UM midfielder Samuel Freihofer made it 14-2, before Clare concluded the third quarter scoring to put the Clan up by a commanding score of 15-2 heading down the stretch.

Freshman attack Tibor Van den Wildenbergh (Okotoks, AB / Foothills Composite HS), converted a pass from Ransom, to make it 16-2 to begin the fourth quarter. Montana then stringed together their only consecutive goals of the contest with freshman midfielder Cullen Weisbrod (Barrington, RI / Barrington HS) and Bishop scoring back-to-back to reset the score to 16-4. Ransom answered back to spark the Clan’s final run of the afternoon, followed-up by goals from Branting and junior attack Frank Davalos (Moose Jaw, SK / Albert E. Peacock Collegiate) to sit Fraser ahead 19-4 going in to the games’ final minutes. Bishop would add his third of the day to bump up the Montana total and end the game with a final score of 19-5.

The stage is now set for the PNCLL Final Four Conference Championships with #2N Washington facing-off against tenth ranked #1S Oregon in the other Semi-Final Match-up, with the two winners meeting the following day on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00pm.

For further information on Simon Fraser men’s lacrosse please visit www.sfulacrosse.com or follow the Clan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fraserlacrosse.

SIMON FRASER (11-5) 3-6-6-4/19
MONTANA (5-8) 0-0-2-3/5

GOALS: SFU: Branting-3, Clare-3, Dow-3, Ransom-2, M. Bailey, Davalos, Foster, Hayes, Knuttila, Spencer, Stroup, Van den Wildenbergh. UM: Bishop-3, Freihofer, Weisbrod.

ASSISTS: SFU: Ransom-3, Davalos-2, Dow-2, Clare, Foster, Knuttila. UM: None recorded.

NOTES

- Simon Fraser recorded 60 ground balls. Midfielder Andrew Branting led the Clan with 5, while fellow freshmen Matt Bailey and Jordan Stroup each registered career-highs, joined by attackman Colton Dow and midfielders Travis Hayes and Marcus Quon, all with 4.

- SFU won 60% of the games face-offs, going 15 of 25. Sophomore Sam Clare led all drawmen at 70% (7 of 10), while sophomore James Irwin (Burnaby, BC / Burnaby South Secondary) – 4 of 7, and freshman Marcus Quon (Vancouver, BC / Kitsilano Secondary) – 4 of 8, finished 57% and 50% respectively.

QUOTES

SFU Head Coach Brent Hoskins

On Montana: “Montana plays a physical style of lacrosse that keeps them competing for a full four quarters. The Griz were young this year but showed a lot of potential that could have them back in contention as early as next season.”

On Simon Fraser: “We needed a win tonight to clinch first place in the North but it was also important to reestablish a level of focus and consistency that we know is going to be critical heading into playoffs. We were happy with our start over the first and second quarters, especially in our defensive end, and managed to maintain that momentum for much of the back half. Overall, tonight was a solid effort that carries on building on our foundation to ensure that we continue to peak at the right time of the year.”

ABOUT SIMON FRASER MEN’S LACROSSE
Simon Fraser University Men’s Lacrosse will compete in its eighteenth season in 2013 and is a Division I member of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). The Clan have captured a record eight PNCLL Conference Titles (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2009) and rank sixth all-time with ten MCLA National Championship tournament appearances, placing 2nd in 1999 and playing in the 2010 MCLA Semi-Finals after reaching the Quarterfinals in 2008 and 2009.

Simon Fraser University is Canada’s top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

Ole Miss announced their 2013-2014 recruiting class yesterday with 17 recruits from 12 different states across the U.S.A. The Rebels look to bounce back in 2014 after going 3-5 (5-5 overall) season this year.

LACROSSE RECRUTING CLASS 2013-2014

Denver Clinton: Defense/LSM – Community School, Naples FL

Colin Ryan: Midfield – Carthage High School, New York

John Mallouk: Midfield F/O – Huntington High School, New York

Morgan Parmer: Midfield – Galena High School, Reno NV

Brett Harris: Midfield – Webster Groves High School, Webster Groves Missouri

Michael Botlansky: Attack – McDonogh School, Baltimore Maryland

Austin Hilten: Attack – Fork Union Military Academy, Arlington VA

Alex Bradley: Attack/Midfield – Bryon Nelson High School, Trophy Club Texas

Owen Taylor: Midfield – Rockville High School, Rockville Maryland

Griffin Meister: Midfield – Domican University, Tacoma Washington

Brody Morin: Goalie – Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kennesaw Georgia

Walker Sawers: Goalie – St. Pauls High School, Baltimore MD

Timmy Farrell: Goalie – Gonzaga Prep, Virginia

Eric Ritzau: Goalie – Kiski School, Fairless Hills, PA

Brendan Wood: Defense – Rye High School, Rye, NY

Gabe Neef: LSM – Bishop Kelly High School, Boise ID

Andrew Gobble: Midfield – Wingate College, Charlotte North Carolina

Christian Palazzotto: Goalie, Shoreham Wading River, LI NY

Sommerfeldt’s 17 Saves Leads the Yellow Jackets to Upset Win Over #23 Georgia

ATLANTA, GA - It’s been a long wait, but the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-4, 4-1) ended an eight year stretch of losses to their cross-state rivals, the University of Georgia (11-4, 3-1), behind 17 saves from freshman goalie Matt Sommerfeldt (Marietta, GA/Pope) by a score of 8-5. The game was played at Tech’s Roe Stamps Turf field in Atlanta. The long time carpet turf of the Jackets is being replaced this summer marking this game as the last contest to be played on the “carpet”. The win clinched the southwest division title for the Yellow Jackets and a return to the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference Tournament.

The day’s scoring was opened when junior Colin Granger (Tallahassee, FL/Leon) scored a bounce shot past goalie David Lumsden (Johns Creek, GA/Northview) to give Tech the early 1-0 lead just minutes into the contest. That goal was followed up late in the quarter when freshman Ben Mertz (Grayson, GA/Grayson) broke free into the Bulldog defense and snuck his shot past Lumsden. On the defensive end the field, the Tech defense played great position play in the opening quarter. The defense limited the high scoring offense of UGA and kept them off the scoreboard for the opening quarter of play. Freshman goalie Matt Sommerfedlt (Marietta, GA/Pope) was solid between the pipes as he recorded seven saves in the first quarter alone. The second quarter opened with a quick strike from Georgia as midfielder George Walker (Alpharetta, GA/Alpharetta) scored on Sommerfeldt with a shot past the Tech goalie to close the gap to 2-1. But Tech responded with a quick goal of their own when Granger got his second goal of the game to push the lead back to two goals with ten minutes remaining the quarter.

Over the next nine plus minutes the Tech defense continued it’s pressure play. The close defense led by senior Joe Burton (Alpharetta, GA/Milton) and a freshman trio of Oliver “Tuna” Gregory (Marblehead, MA/Marblehead), David Cyron (Lincoln University, PA/Union Grove) and Danny Coughlin (Atlanta, GA/Marist) continued the great effort of limiting any great scoring opportunities for the Bulldog offense. With 5:29 remaining in the half sophomore captain Mick Stapleton (Woodstock, GA/Woodstock) scored making the game 4-1 in favor of the Jackets. But as the half would draw to a close the Georgia offense would score when Matt Dumbleton (Alpharetta, GA/Alpharetta) picked up a loose ball on the crease and ripped it by Sommerfeldt to make it a 4-2 Jackets lead at the half.

The second half began much like the first with Tech drawing first blood when Gregory took a ball coast to coast and scorched a high bounce shot past Lumsden to make it 5-2 Tech. Midway through the third quarter Tech would score again, this time Mertz found the net with his shot to give Tech a four goal lead at 6-2. But the Bulldogs would not lay down. Soon after Mertz’s second score UGA got a goal from midfielder Connor Reed (Alpharetta, GA/Alpharetta) to decrease the Tech lead to three goals as the third quarter closed.

Entering the fourth quarter Tech would put the game away as one minute into the quarter sophomore Alex Roe (Cumming, GA/South Forsyth) took an isolation move and scored his lone goal of the day to make the game 7-3. As the quarter wore on the defense continued to frustrate the Bulldog offense. After a good ride by the Tech defense, Trey Gantt (Marietta, GA/Lassiter) placed a perfect shot in the top corner off a transition opportunity to lock it down as Tech led 8-3 with four minutes remaining. The UGA offense did find some light late in the game and scored two straight, a second goal from Walker and then with one minute remaining Dumbleton scored to end the game’s scoring and make the final 8-5 in favor of the Jackets.

Tech will take the field on Friday night at 8:00pm versus Wake Forest at Alpharetta High School in the first round of the SELC Tournament.

Georgia Tech – 2 2 2 2- 8
Georgia - 0 2 1 2- 5

Georgia Tech Scoring- Mertz 2, Granger 2, Stapleton, Roe, Gregory, Gantt
Georgia Tech Saves- Sommmerfeldt 17

United States Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse Team

NEWS RELEASE - COAST GUARD ACADEMY LACROSSE USES BIG SECOND HALF SURGE TO BEAT STONEHILL 13-7

New London, Conn. – The No. 6 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse team (9-1, 3-0) used a 7-1 second half run that included four goals and an assist by Cadet 2/c E. J. Schmid (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville), to blow open a tight 6-6 game midway through the third quarter.  Coast Guard got goals from seven different players to post a 13-7 win over No. 22 Stonehill College (6-3, 1-0) last night at a packed Cadet Memorial Stadium overlooking the Thames River.

Coast Guard was led offensively by Schmid who registered six points for the second game in a row (fourth game this season with six or more points) on four goals and two assists.  Schmid also tied 2/c defensemen Nick Fredericksen (Nashua, N.H./Nashua South) for the Bears’ ground ball team-high honors with seven.  Cadet 1/c and Team Captain Austin English (Kent Island, Md./Kent Island) and Cadet 2/c Stu Carley (Houston, Texas/James E. Taylor) chipped in with five (2g,3a) and four (2g,2a) points respectively.

Coast Guard did a nice job at the faceoff x going 14 for 22 (63.6%) on the night.  Cadet 1/c  and Team Captain Steven Danseglio (Islip Terrace, N.Y./East Islip) went 8 for 11 and added a goal, two assists and four ground balls.

Coast Guard took an early 1-0 lead as Cadet 1/c Steven Danseglio (Islip Terrace, N.Y./East Islip) scored on a seven-yard shot just 27 seconds in off a nice feed from Schmid.  However, less than two minutes later, Stonehill scored twice – including an extra-man goal to put them up 2-1.

A Skyhawks push gave Coast Guard a man advantage and 4/c Justin Huemme (Sherborn, Mass./Dover-Sherborn) fed Schmid who hit an over-the-shoulder shot from just in front of the crease to tie the game at 2-2 with 3:44 on the first-quarter clock.  English scored the Bears’ third goal, taking a flip from Schmid and running left-to-right past his defender to score at 1:27.

Danseglio picked up the ground ball on the next faceoff and fed a nice no-look pass to Carley  for 12-yard shot to give Coast Guard a 4-2 lead out of the break.  Not done, Danseglio handed out another dime to 2/c Paul Dell’isola (Bethesda, Md./Georgetown Prep) who scored with a sidearm shot from just outside the crease to make it 5-2.  Stonehill was undaunted by this 2-0 run and quickly came back with two goals to head into the halftime break down one at 5-4.

The second half opened with goals for both sides and suddenly it was 6-6 just a few minutes into the third quarter.

The flurry started when Carley converted a bounce shot from a tough angle on the left side after rolling from ‘X’ and getting a nice feed from 1/c James Lord (Simsbury, Conn/Westminster). That goal pushed the Bears’ advantage to 7-6.  From there, Schmid took over scoring duties.  With 1:58 remaining in the quarter, Schmid came open on a fast break opportunity and scored on a low-to-low shot off a pass from 1/c defensemen 1/c Conor Breckenridge (San Francisco , Calif./Novato).  With 38 seconds left in the third quarter, Schmid built the lead back to three for Coast Guard, flicking a shot into the net off a Carley feed.

Dell’isola pushed the lead to four, 10-6, 1:22 into the fourth quarter with a low-to-low shot from the right side off an English pass.  Then English came off a Schmid screen, and Schmid rolled to the right side of the crease where English hit him for a hard shot from seven yards out.

Stonehill scored at the 7 minute mark to get back within four at 11-7.  Huemme used a Schmid pass at 6:16 to score his first of the game before 4/c Trent Moon finished up the scoring with a nice bouncer after rolling the crease on the left side for the 13-7 victory.

Cadet 1/c Justin Dougherty (Satellite Beach, FL/Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy) picked up the win, making ten saves while allowing seven goals.  The four man close-defense rotation of 1/c Tim Wyderko (Detroit, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), 1/c Conor Breckenridge (San Francisco , Calif./Novato), 1/c James Fennessey (Milton, Mass./Milton) and Fredericksen played exceptionally well throughout and especially midway through the third quarter.  With the score tied at 6-6 and Stonehill momentum building –  a “gut check” point – the defense staved off multiple Stonehill man-up situations and ignited Schmid’s offensive heroics.  The poles were “on the offensive” again as Breckenridge handed out a fast-break assist.

Coast Guard will be back in action on Friday, April 26th at 7:00 PM in the friendly confines of Cadet Memorial Stadium taking on Southern Connecticut State University (0-5, 0-1).  This is Coast Guard’s last regular season game and the Bears will honor their graduating 1/c Cadets on “Senior Night”.

Game Notes:

–The Bears are currently ranked No. 6 overall in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse MCLA Coaches Poll this week.

–This was the Bears fourth victory over a Top 25 ranked opponent this season.

–Coast Guard shared the ball extremely well as 12/13 goals were assisted (92.3%).

For additional information – check out: www.coastguardlax.vicid.net

As the smallest of the five U.S. service academies, the Coast Guard Academy offers the elite higher education, rigorous professional development, and honor and tradition of a military academy but with a more personalized approach.

The Coast Guard Academy offers an integrated life experience which emphasizes academics, physical fitness, character and leadership, in order to graduate officers of the highest caliber. Graduates go directly to positions of leadership in “The Shield of Freedom,” one of the most admired organizations in the world. The Academy also features an impressive teacher-student ratio and picturesque waterfront campus that instills a traditional small college feel. 

Cadets devote themselves to an honor concept and graduate to work at sea, on land, in the air, and even in space, in meaningful careers of selfless service to others.

The game’s scoring began with a dodge from the Trojans’ leading scorer, sophomore attack Ryan Kreston (4g, 0a). The rest of the first quarter was all Bruins, as UCLA used a 7-1 run to end the quarter up five. The scoring cooled down in the second quarter, with each team tallying two goals apiece to enter halftime with UCLA up 9-4.

Despite trading goals in the early minutes of the third, the Bruins saw their lead disappear after five straight by USC tied the game at 10-10. The Trojans took their first lead of the game at 12-11, but a big goal by freshman midfielder Sam May (5g, 1a) knotted the game back at twelves.

After almost five goalless minutes to start the final quarter, UCLA broke the deadlock when junior attack Zack Winters (3g, 1a) finished a fast break opportunity. Freshman midfielder Sam Moran (5g, 1a) then scored a man-up goal, followed by another on an alley dodge for his fifth of the game. After a goal by USC, May iced the game for the Bruins on his fifth goal of the night.

UCLA was led by the freshmen midfield duo, May and Moran, who both scored five goals and had an assist. The Bruins’ four attackmen rounded out UCLA’s scoring, as Winters net three goals plus an assist, junior Anthony Noren scored two goals with an assist, sophomore Kevin Rowen assisted on six goals, and freshman Cameron McVeigh added one goal as well.

The Trojan offense was led by Kreston’s four goals as well as sophomore midfielder Peter Dikeou’s four goals and one assist. Freshman attack Kevin Cuellar also added a had trick for USC, while freshman midfielder Kyle Ulman and senior attack Anthony Yoo scored one goal each.

USC’s goalie, senior Carder Nastri, recorded 17 saves in the loss, while senior goalie Martin Alonzo had 10 saves in the win for UCLA.

This was the final game of the season for USC, making the Trojans’ final 2013 record (4-10). UCLA (5-7) finishes its season this Saturday at home in an 11:00 AM game against Claremont (6-7).