Bloomfield Girls’ postseason honors

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Tim

Press release city:

2013 was a record year for the Bloomfield Girls Lacrosse team.  They excelled athletically and academically as a team and individually .  We were crowned Division 1, Region 1 Champions and Division 1 State Championship Finalists.  The team finished with a 19-6 record and beat 4 of the top 7 teams in the state to make it to the State Championship game.

Academically, the team won a team All State academic award with a team GPA of 3.65.  Many of our players were named Academic All Americans and Academic All State recipients.

Individually,  Margaret Metzger was a 1st team US Lacrosse Girls’ HIgh School All American recipient.  Margaret Metzger and Madison Monahan earned 1st team All State Awards. Juniors, Maria D’Angelo and Emma Mucci were named 2nd Team All State.  Junior Christina Arens and Sophomores, Annie Reed and Paige Tornow were All State honorable mentions.  Maria DAngelo, Emma Mucci, Christina Arens, Margaret Metzger and Madison Monahan were also named All League.

Many congratulations to the players and to Head Coach Andy Reed and Assistant Coaches, Terry Monahan and Caroline Dengler on an outstanding season.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
2013 US Lacrosse Girls’ High School All-American
Margaret Metzger

2013 All State Awards (Division I)
Margaret Metzger – 1st Team
Madison Monahan – 1st Team
Maria D’Angelo – 2
nd Team
Emma Mucci – 2nd Team
Christina Arens – Honorable Mention
Annie Reed -Honorable Mention
Paige Tornow – Honorable Mention

2013 All Oakland Activities Association Awards (All League)
Christina Arens
Maria D’Angelo
Margaret Metzger
Madison Monahan
Emma Mucci

2013 US Lacrosse Individual Academic All American
(req. a minimum 3.6 GPA (Junior or Senior), community service and significant varsity contribution/recognition)
Christina Arens
Margaret Metzger
Elena Miller
Maddie Monahan
Emma Mucci

2013 Individual Academic All State – requires a minimum, 3.6 GPA, Junior or Senior
(awarded by the Michigan Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association – MWLCA):
Addie Koerner
Margaret Metzger
Elena Miller
Maddie Monahan
Emma Mucci
Jamie Ockner
Maddie Padilla

Hoping for some me-generated content sometime in the near future.

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The Next Level: All-GLS Team 2013

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Tim

The second annual team consisting of the best performers in Division-1 who hailed from the state of Michigan. Any disagreements, perceived omissions, etc., feel free to debate them in the comments.

Goalie

Connor Flynn
Rockford
Freshman/Detroit

So, have you ever made an all-anything team without a second of game action? Connor Flynn has. Although he redshirted for UDM this year, he is the only goalie on any Division-1 roster who played high school ball in the state of Michigan.

Defense

Jamie Hebden
Brother Rice
Senior/Detroit

Last year’s All-GLS Defensive Player of the Year picked up where he left off in 2012.  He joined Canadian LSM Jordan Houtby to lead the country’s No. 23 overall defense. On the year, he started all 15 UDM games. He caused 38 turnovers (second nationally) and picked up 42 ground balls. Though he also committed 14 turnovers and 11 penalties for 9:30, his positive defensive numbers are high. He also got involved in the offense, contributing one assist.

Michael Hamilton
Brother Rice
Senior/Hofstra

Hamilton was an every-game starter for a pretty good Hofstra squad – the Pride finished No. 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency. He didn’t stuff the statsheet, but did cause three turnovers and pick up 18 ground balls. Like Hebden he added an assist to contribute offensively. He committed just two turnovers and seven penalties for 6:00.

Rob Healy
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Senior/Michigan

Healy didn’t put up huge numbers, but he was a consistent starter on a defense that was sorely in need of them (and finished No. 49 nationally in adjusted efficiency). He started all 14 games. Defensively, he caused seven turnovers and picked up 15 ground balls. He tried to get involved in the offense, and took two Shots (one on goal). He was relatively clean as well, and only committed six turnovers and five penalties for 5:30.

Midfield

Mike Birney
Detroit Catholic Central
Sophomore/Detroit

Birney was the year’s breakout player, after only taking 14 total shots during his freshman year. He started all 15 games for the Titans, and led them in scoring. He scored 31 Goals on 100 Shots (53 on goal) and added nine assists. He wasn’t too involved defensively, but caused two turnovers and picked up 10 ground balls. He committed 27 turnovers and two penalties for 3:00.

Scott Drummond
Birmingham Seaholm
Sophomore/Detroit

Drummond was another weapon for a UDM offense that found itself over the second half of the year. He played in all 15 games, starting 14. Drummond scored 14 Goals on 57 Shots (34 on goal) and added 13 assists. He also collected 14 ground balls. On the negative side, he committed 21 turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.

Jacob Coretti
East Grand Rapids
Freshman/Rutgers

Coretti took a postgrad year after leaving East Grand Rapids, but has burst onto the scene since arriving in Piscataway. In his first year on the field, Coretti played in 14 of 15 games, starting nine. He scored 10 Goals on 29 Shots (15 on goal) and added five Assists for a Rutgers offense that needed playmakers (and finished No. 52 nationally). Coretti also caused one turnover and picked up four ground balls. He committed 11 turnovers.

Attack

Nick Dolik
Brother Rice
Senior/Penn State

Dolik was pretty much a full-time midfielder this year after splitting time between middie and attack in 2012, but I’m including him at attack to facilitate getting both he and Coretti on the team. Dolik played in all 17 games for the No. 24 offense in the land. He scored 10 Goals on 57 Shots (27 on goal) and added five assists. Picked up seven ground balls. Committed 18 turnovers and two penalties for 1:30.

Tommy McKee
Holt
Junior/Air Force

Although McKee’s production didn’t feel like he was matching last year’s excellent pace, he actually outdid his numbers from 2012. He started all 13 games for Air Force’s No. 22 offense. He was the No. 2 most productive Falcon, scoring 28 Goals on 75 Shots (52 on goal) and added four assists. Caused four turnovers and picked up 19 ground balls. Committed 12 turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.

Will Meter
Brother Rice
Sophomore/Michigan

Though Meter battled injuries during his second year in Ann Arbor, he was the top-scoring full-time attackman for the Wolverines. He played in 13 games, starting 11. His production included 10 Goals on 48 Shots (33 on goal) and five assists. Meter caused two turnovers and picked up 25 ground balls. Committed 20 turnovers.

Specialists

Danny Henneghan – Faceoff Specialist
Brother Rice
Senior/Penn State

Henneghan was last year’s faceoff specialist of the year, and he repeats the feat in 2013. He won 202 of 351 faceoff attempts (.575), picking up 82 ground balls. On clean wins, he recorded four Assists and took six Shots (three on goal). Despite a ground ball on more than 40% of his wins, he only committed three turnovers. Rare for a faceoff specialist, he was listed as a starter for all 17 games.

Dakota Sherman – Long-Stick Midfield
Cranbrook
Junior/Michigan

Although Sherman didn’t put up huge numbers, his were easily the best among LSMs. He played in 13 games, starting one for Michigan’s No. 62-ranked defense. Sherman caused four turnovers and picked up 12 ground balls. He also committed three turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.

Tom Sible – Short-Stick Defensive Midfield
Forest Hills Central
Sophomore/Detroit

The Titans actually had a fairly robust set of options at this position, but the sophomore Sible wins out. Returning from an ACL injury, he played in 13 games. Sible scored two Goals on three Shots (all on goal) and added two assists. Defensively, he caused four turnovers and picked up five ground balls. He also committed four turnovers and two penalties for 1:30.

Offensive Player of the Year

Mike Birney
Detroit Catholic Central
Sophomore/Detroit

Birney flipped the switch this year, turning from a little-used role player to a major offensive weapon. His development allowed the Titans’ offense to open things up, and his outside gun is impressive. He’s hitting 109 MPH on the radar gun, and only stands to get better,

Defensive Player of the Year

Jamie Hebden
Brother Rice
Senior/Detroit

Hebden repeats as the All-GLS DPOY, and with good reason. He was among the nation’s leaders in a few major defensive categories (No. 2 in caused turnovers, and high on the list of GBs among true longpoles). His presensce will be missed for the Titans in a big way next spring.

Debate away. The full final stats can be seen here.

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Clarkston Boys recognized

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Tim

I haven’t typically put up press releases as standalone posts in the past, but… I’m going to start. Good timing, Clarkston.

Many players from the Clarkston High School Boy’s Varsity Lacrosse Team were honored during our banquet last evening.

We have our first ever Academic All American, 2 All Americans, 6 All State players, a finalist for the Warrior Sports High School Lacrosse Player of the Year and many more.

2013 Season Milestones

  • Finished the season ranked 3 overall in the State of Michigan
  • Record:  16-3
  • Won the OAA Division Title
  • Won the Regional Title (First time regional champs!)
2013 Player Milestones
  • Connor Ward made it to the “Frozen” Final Four of the Warrior Sports High School Lacrosse Player of the Year
  • Scott Allen – All Region
  • Austin Bevis – All Region
  • Connor Dziewit – All Region
  • Austin Egler – OAA Award
  • Robert Hall – OAA Award
  • Preston Haven – All Region
  • Jake Hendricks – All State
  • Sean Johnson – OAA & Academic All American (Clarkston Lacrosse First Ever!)
  • Reid Kaminski – All State
  • Evan (K9) Kneisel – All State & All American
  • AJ Kowal – All Region
  • Jimmy McKillop – All State
  • Keaton Mitchell – All Region
  • Jordon Moore – All Region
  • Kyle (OG) O’Grady – All State
  • Andrew (AJ) Schlaff – All Region
  • Connor Ward – OAA, All State, All American
  • Nick Werner – OAA Award

The inbox is always open at t.w.sullivan1@gmail.com or on Twitter @GreatLaxState.

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Scores and Schedule: June 8, 2013

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Tim

The final day of (scholastic) lacrosse for the year. Then begins the summer season.

Yesterday’s Results

High School Boys – Birmingham Seaholm

Division 1 Finals – 2 p.m.
Brother Rice v. Forest Hills Eastern-Northern

Division 2 Finals – 4:30 p.m.
Forest Hills Central v. Cranbrook

High School Girls – Rockford

Division 2 Finals – 2 p.m.
East Grand Rapids v. Livonia Ladywood

Division 1 Finals – 4:30 p.m.
Rockford v. Bloomfield United

Corrections, omissions, etc. always appreciated in the comments.

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Scores and Schedule: June 6, 2013

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Tim

The high school finals are set. Who’s in?

Yesterday’s Results

High School Boys

Division 1 Semifinal 1 at Birmingham Seaholm
Brother Rice 22, Clarkston 9

Division 1 Semifinal 2 at Holt
Forest Hills Eastern-Northern 11, South Lyon United 10 (OT)

Division 2 Semifinals at Howell Parker Middle School
Forest Hills Central 11, Detroit Country Day 8
Cranbrook 8, East Grand Rapids 6

High School Girls

Division 1 Semifinals at Hartland
Rockford 15, Hartland 9
Bloomfield Hills Lahser 10, Ann Arbor Pioneer 9

Division 2 Semifinals at Okemos
East Grand Rapids 13, Okemos 5
Livonia Ladywood 10, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood 9

Corrections, omissions, etc. always appreciated in the comments.

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Next Level: 2013 Finals

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Tim

Recapping the entire year for all the former Michigan high school standouts plying their trade in Division-1 lacrosse.

Air Force: 6-7 (1-5 ECAC)

  • Junior attack Tommy McKee (Holt) – Started all 13 games. Scored 28 Goals on 75 Shots (52 on goal) and added four assists. Caused four turnovers and picked up 19 ground balls. Committed 12 turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.

Delaware: 5-10 (1-5 CAA)

  • Redshirt freshman midfielder Bennett Packer (Brother Rice) – Did not see game action.

Detroit: 5-10 (3-3 MAAC)

  • Sophomore attack Brandon Beauregard (Notre Dame Prep) – Played in all 15 games, starting 13. Scored eight Goals on 43 Shots (26 on goal) and added 13 assists. Caused four turnovers and picked up 20 ground balls. Committed 26 turnovers and five penalties for 3:00.
  • Sophomore midfielder Mike Birney (Detroit Catholic Central) – Started all 15 games. Scored 31 Goals on 100 Shots (53 on goal) and added nine assists. Caused two turnovers and picked up 10 ground balls. Committed 27 turnovers and two penalties for 3:00.
  • Senior midfielder Tyler Corcoran (South Lyon) – Played in five games. Won 29 of 55 faceoffs, picking up 13 ground balls. Took one Shot. Committed two turnovers.
  • Senior midfielder Brandon Davenport (Grosse Pointe North) – Played in all 15 games. Recorded two Assists and three Shots (one on goal). Won 21 of 54 faceoff attempts, caused two turnovers, and picked up 28 ground balls. Committed three turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Freshman LSM Nick Demattia (Clarkston) – Played in eight games, but did not accrue any statistics.
  • Junior LSM Kevin DiSalle (Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s) – Did not see game action.
  • Sophomore midfielder Scott Drummond (Birmingham Seaholm) – Played in all 15 games, starting 14. Scored 14 Goals on 57 Shots (34 on goal) and added 13 assists. Collected 14 ground balls. Committed 21 turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Senior defenseman John Dwyer (Detroit Catholic Central) – Started all 15 games. Caused 15 turnovers and picked up 31 ground balls. Committed 17 turnovers and four penalties for 2:30.
  • Freshman goalie Connor Flynn (Rockford) – Did not see game action.
  • Junior midfielder Nick Garippa (Notre Dame Prep) – Played in seven games. Scored a Goal on his only Shot. Caused four turnovers and picked up nine ground balls. Lost his only faceoff attempt. Committed four turnovers and one penalty for 0:30.
  • Sophomore defenseman Joe Gifford (Notre Dame Prep) – Played in 13 games. Took one Shot (on goal). Caused one turnover and picked up one ground ball. Committed one turnover and one penalty for 0:30.
  • Freshman midfielder Brad Harris (Saline) – Did not see game action.
  • Freshman midfielder Andy Hebden (Brother Rice) – Played in all 15 games, starting 13. Scored eight Goals on 36 Shots (22 on goal) and added five Assists. Caused three turnovers and picked up 12 ground balls. Committed 15 turnovers.
  • Senior defenseman Jamie Hebden (Brother Rice) – Started all 15 games. Recorded one Assist. Caused 38 turnovers (second nationally) and picked up 42 ground balls. Committed 14 turnovers and 11 penalties for 9:30.
  • Freshman midfielder JD Hess (Birmingham Seaholm) – Did not see game action.
  • Senior LSM/D Andrew Khalil (Warren De La Salle) – Played in 14 games. Caused two turnovers and picked up three ground balls. Committed one turnover.
  • Junior midfielder Joe MacLean (Detroit Country Day) – Played in 14 games. Took one Shot. Caused four turnovers and picked up six ground balls. Committed one turnover and three penalties for 1:30.
  • Redshirt freshman midfielder Chris Mandell (Warren De La Salle) – Played in two games, but did not accrue any statistics.
  • Freshman attack Nick Melucci (Northville) – Played in 13 games, starting two. Scored six Goals on 14 Shots (nine on goal) and added two Assists. Caused two turnovers and picked up five ground balls. Committed four turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Senior midfielder Chris Nemes (Detroit Catholic Central) – Played in all 15 games, starting three. Scored two Goals on 12 Shots (five on goal). Picked up eight ground balls. Committed ten turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Freshman midfielder Chris Perry (Utica Eisenhower) – Did not see game action.
  • Junior midfielder Tim Robertson (Notre Same Prep) – Played in seven games. Picked up two ground balls.
  • Senior midfield/attack Nick Schesnuk (Warren De La Salle) – Played in two games, but did not accrue any statistics.
  • Junior midfielder Drew Schupbach (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) – Played in four games. Took two shots. Caused two turnovers and picked up four ground balls. Committed eight turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Sophomore midfielder Thomas Sible (Forest Hills Central) – Played in 13 games. Scored two Goals on three Shots (all on goal) and added two assists. Caused four turnovers and picked up five ground balls. Committed four turnovers and two penalties for 1:30.
  • Freshman midfielder Mike Spuller (Dexter) – Played in 10 games. Recorded one assist.Caused two turnovers and picked up one ground ball. Committed four turnovers and two penalties for 2:00.
  • Junior attack Tyler Staruch (Brighton) – Did not see game action.
  • Freshman midfielder Dylan Swanson (Ann Arbor Pioneer) – Played in two games. Took one Shot on goal. Committed one turnover.
  • Senior D/LSM Mike Wenderski (UD-Jesuit) – Did not see game action.
  • Freshman defenseman Jordan Yono (Detroit Catholic Central) – Caused one turnover and picked up four ground balls. Won two of six faceoff attempts.

Georgetown: 6-9 (3-3 Big East)

  • Junior midfielder Grant Fisher (Brother Rice) – Played in 11 of 15 games. Scored seven goals on 14 Shots (11 on goal). Caused one turnover and picked up five ground balls. Committed five turnovers.

Hofstra: 7-7 (2-4 CAA)

  • Senior defenseman Michael Hamilton (Brother Rice) – Started all 14 games. Recorded one Assist. Caused three turnovers and picked up 18 ground balls. Committed two turnovers and seven penalties for 6:00.

Marquette: 5-8

  • Redshirt freshman midfielder K.C. Kennedy (Brother Rice) – Played in 10 of 13 games. Won 35 of 73 faceoffs, caused one turnover, and picked up 18 ground balls. Took two Shots (both on goal). Committed two penalties for 1:30.
  • Freshman attack Henry Nelson (Brother Rice) – Played in 12 games, starting one. Scored six Goals on 18 Shots (eight on goal) and added one Assist. Picked up eight ground balls. Committed three turnovers.

Michigan: 1-13 (0-7 ECAC)

  • Senior midfielder Zach Dauch (Bloomfield Hills Lahser) – Played in 10 of 14 games, starting one. Recorded one Assist and took two Shots (one on goal). Picked up three ground balls and committed three turnovers.
  • Sophomore defenseman Mack Gembis (Cranbrook) – Played in 13 games, starting eight. Caused six turnovers and picked up 11 ground balls. Committed one turnover and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Senior defenseman Rob Healy (Notre Dame Prep) – Started all 14 games. Caused seven turnovers and picked up 15 ground balls. Took two Shots (one on goal). Committed six turnovers and five penalties for 5:30.
  • Freshman attack Riley Kennedy (Brother Rice) – Played in six games. Took one Shot and recorded one Assist. Picked up one ground ball. Committed two turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Sophomore attack Will Meter (Brother Rice) – Played in 13 games, starting 11. Scored 10 Goals on 48 Shots (33 on goal) and added five assists. Caused two turnovers and picked up 25 ground balls. Committed 20 turnovers.
  • Sophomore midfielder Thomas Orr (Detroit Catholic Central) – Played in six games. Took one Shot on goal. Caused two turnovers and picked up three ground balls. Committed three turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Junior midfielder Tom Sardelli (Notre Dame Prep) – Played in 11 games, starting one. Scored a Goal on 13 Shots (four on goal). Picked up two ground balls. Committed one turnover.
  • Junior LSM Dakota Sherman (Cranbrook) – Played in 13 games, starting one. Caused four turnovers and picked up 12 ground balls. Committed three turnovers and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Senior defenseman Austin Swaney (East Grand Rapids) – Played in seven games starting three. Caused two turnovers and picked up six ground balls. Committed one turnover and one penalty for 1:00.
  • Freshman defenseman Chris Walker (Brother Rice) – Played in seven games. Picked up one ground ball. Committed two penalties for 2:00.
  • Junior defenseman Max Zwolan (Ann Arbor Pioneer) – Did not see game action.

Mount St. Mary’s: 6-9 (2-3 NEC)

  • Senior midfielder Conor Carey (University of Detroit Jesuit) – Played in 13 of 15 games, starting five. Scored six Goals on 16 Shots (12 on goal). Picked up two ground balls. Committed two turnovers.
  • Senior midfielder Jon Marsalese (University of Detroit Jesuit) – Played in all 15 games. Won 182 of 345 faceoffs, Picking up 108 ground balls. Caused one turnover. Committed 18 turnovers.

Ohio State: 13-4 (5-2 ECAC)

  • Junior midfielder Nick Diegel (Northville) – Played in one game. Scored a Goal on his only Shot.

Penn State: 12-5 (6-0 CAA)

  • Senior Attack Nick Dolik (Brother Rice) – Played in all 17 games. Scored 10 Goals on 57 Shots (27 on goal) and added five assists. Picked up seven ground balls. Committed 18 turnovers and two penalties for 1:30.
  • Senior midfielder Danny Henneghan (Brother Rice) – Started all 17 games. Won 202 of 351 faceoff attempts, picking up 82 ground balls. Recorded four Assists and took six Shots (three on goal). Committed three turnovers.

Rutgers: 2-13 (0-6 Big East)

  • Freshman midfielder Jacob Coretti (East Grand Rapids) – Played in 14 of 15 games, starting nine. Scored 10 Goals on 29 Shots (15 on goal) and added five Assists. Caused one turnover and picked up four ground balls. Committed 11 turnovers.

Sacred Heart: 3-11 (3-2 NEC)

  • Sophomore midfielder  Joe Kemp (Troy Athens) – Did not see game action.

VMI: 1-12 (1-5 MAAC)

  • Sophomore midfielder Andrew Erber (Dexter) – Did not see game action.

As always, feel free to share corrections, additions, or stats from other divisions in the comments.

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Scores and Schedule: June 5, 2013

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Tim

Today’s the day that will determine who plays for the whole thing Saturday. Since it will otherwise be impossible to catch multiple games, I’m heading to the Howell site this afternoon. Anybody watching a game or two?

Today’s Schedule

High School Boys

Division 1 Semifinal 1 at Birmingham Seaholm
Brother Rice v. Clarkston, 6 p.m.

Division 1 Semifinal 2 at Holt
Forest Hills Eastern-Northern v. South Lyon United, 6 p.m.

Division 2 Semifinals at Howell Parker Middle School
Forest Hills Central v. Detroit Country Day, 5 p.m.
Cranbrook v. East Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.

High School Girls

Division 1 Semifinals at Hartland
Rockford v. Hartland, 5 p.m.
Bloomfield Hills Lahser v. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Division 2 Semifinals at Okemos
East Grand Rapids v. Okemos, 5 p.m.
Cranbrook-Kingswood v. Livonia Ladywood, 7 p.m.

Corrections, omissions, etc. always appreciated in the comments.

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Does Big Ten lacrosse affect Detroit?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Tim

Obviously, the coverage around these parts of Johns Hopkins joining with the five Big Ten lacrosse schools to form a conference in the sport has revolved around Michigan. They’re, like, in the league. I’ve even talked quite a bit about Big Ten member – and onetime Division-1 lacrosse program – Michigan State. Could the Spartans join down the road?

One item that I haven’t broached yet is how the move affects the program that will feel some indirect repercussions: Detroit. The Titans obviously aren’t in the Big Ten Lacrosse Conference, but they’ve regularly played two of the teams in the league, and a third team from the ECAC whose conference home is up in the air for the future.

I’ll take a look team-by-team and see how it affects Detroit, starting with those actually in the Big Ten, then following it with a few others affected by the moves.

Michigan

I’ve heard rumblings from both sides of this game that it may take a couple-year hiatus in the near future, just to avoid developing into a nasty rivalry. A little local competition is good, but you don’t want things to be mean-spirited (and ultimately dirty) on the field, either. Not sure if the status has changed, but either way, Michigan to the Big Ten isn’t going to change whether or not the Wolverines play Detroit.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes have played Detroit every year of the Titans’ existence, always in Columbus. OSU is actually dropping conference games (going from an eight-team league to a six-team league) in the move, opening up more room for non-conference, so there’s no reason to expect they’d do anything but continue playing UDM.

Penn State

Detroit has never played Penn State. The Nittany Lions are moving from a seven-team conference to a six-team league, theoretically opening up one non-conference game. PSU will be a regular traveler to the Great Lakes State for league matchups with Michigan, so it’s possible – though maybe not likely – that Detroit is eventually added to the schedule.

Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights are an interesting case in this exercise. They’ve never played Detroit, home or road, but have a couple connections to the state and program (assistant Byron Collins was the head coach at Detroit Country Day until this spring, and UDM defensive coordinator Chris Kolon is a former Scarlet Knight). It’s also a pretty long haul from New Jersey to Michigan, so if RU wants to make a trip worth their while, might it make sense to add Detroit to the itinerary? Rutgers will be going from a seven-team Big East to the six-team Big Ten, so an additional non-conference opening is possible. RU might also need extra non-conference games for the 2014 season with the implosion of the Big East.

Maryland

This would be a great land for a non-conference game for Detroit, but I just don’t see it happening. The Terps will play their five conference games as a member of the Big Ten, then try to fit some of their traditional ACC and regional rivals onto the schedule. Their conference schedule is actually getting bigger (coming from the four-team ACC), so opportunities for non-conference game actually go down.

Johns Hopkins

Not happening. The Blue Jays fans are already in hand-wringing mode about how they’re going to fit all their traditional rivals onto the schedule while joining a conference for the first time ever. Adding another non-conference game just doesn’t fit with that.

Bellarmine

BU has played Detroit every year that the Titans’ program has existed, and even with the destruction of the ECAC – and possible Bellarmine entry to the Atlantic Sun? – I see that continuing.

Fairfield

Until we see where the Stags land, this is a major question mark. I would not be surprised to see them join the MAAC, which is their all-sports home anyway, for lacrosse. That would make them a conference opponent for Detroit. If they end up in another conference, I don’t see them playing UDM.

Hobart, Air Force

Depending on where these teams land long-term, they might be looking for significant additions to the non-conference schedules. Especially Air Force, which doesn’t have an obvious conference home, will be looking to fill a schedule unless they join a league.

Jacksonville, VMI

The two expatriates from the MAAC, now members of the Atlantic Sun, have history with Detroit. Especially with Jacksonville, which has been a relatively strong program for the MAAC, I could see UDM wanting to continue the rivalry as a non-conference game. On the other hand, that’s basically a guaranteed flight, not always easy for smaller athletic departments.

At this point, we obviously are in the dark about how a lot of these things will shake out. Stay tuned for more definite news as it comes through.

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Bigger Ten?

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Tim

With the official creation of a Big Ten Lacrosse Conference, my natural inclination (obvious for anyone who has ever stopped by this site) is to wonder whether other Big Ten schools – particularly Michigan State – would consider adding (or re-adding, in the Spartans’ case) the game.

Obviously there are budgetary implications and a Title IX angle to the whole thing, making it tough for schools to add new sports. The staff of Inside Lacrosse sees the addition of another program from the existing Big Ten ranks as unlikely.

6. Does this mean more Big Ten schools will add lacrosse?

Not likely, though that becomes easier if an angel investor emerges with $10 million to fund men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and a third women’s sport. Though the B1G’s reputed finances suggest its members would be more than capable of taking on such a burd[sic], the addition of lacrosse is a university-based decision and would mean extra spending, which most members would be loathe to do. …There’s a reason the B1G is breaking long established policy to bring in Hopkins; there were no other in-house lacrosse options available, now or for the foreseeable future.

Michigan coach John Paul, at the very least, is hopeful that the creation of a conference will at least be a nudge in the right direction. He spoke with GLS earlier today.

With three of our members coming from East Coast expansion, I don’t know that this move says much about the westward growth of the sport. But I’m very hopeful that it helps influence other Big Ten athletic departments toward taking a hard look at varsity lacrosse.

As has been and will be the case for athletic departments with bigtime football – which means every Big Ten school, no matter how uncompetitive their football squads may be on a yearly basis – expansion will come slowly, if at all. I’ve put out guess lists as to the likelihood (from most to least) of programs to add lacrosse, and it’s time to run through that exercise again really quickly.

  1. Michigan State
  2. Minnesota
  3. Northwestern
  4. Wisconsin
    (cavernous gaping hole)
  5. Indiana
  6. Illinois
  7. Purdue
  8. Iowa
  9. Nebraska

Michigan State obviously had a program in the past, and has history on that account. Perhaps just as important, there’s an alumni base of those who played varsity lacrosse in East Lansing, and while that wouldn’t be the exclusive money stream that starts a program, it’s certainly a fundraising opportunity among a group very invested (no pun intended) in the sport. As of August 2011 (and obviously a lot has developed since then), MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis didn’t see that being enough:

“I just can’t do it without having revenues in place,” he said. “What you’ll do is deplete the programs that you already have in place. Never say never, but it’s probably not going to happen tomorrow. We love to add sports, but it’s resource-driven. (Expansion is) not in our short-term plans.”

Minnesota has had some success at the club level, and while that’s a far cry from Division-1 – as Michigan has learned the hard way over the past two years – it’s a start. The state is also diehard hockey territory, and there’s significant overlap between the two sports. Minnesota even has a well-supported NLL team in the Storm, and a growing high school participation in the sport. SB Nation Minnesota blog The Daily Gopher chimes in on the topic.

I’m a complete noob on the lax front, but seemingly the support would be there to bring the Gophers up from club level to NCAA competition. Enough to actually compete? That would depend on the talent, and that’s something I can’t answer. But the point is that such a move wouldn’t be completely out of character for a sport that has pretty strong participation in the metro area.

We’ve seen that the mechanism for a Division-1 program is definitely not the elevation of a club team – even Michigan’s club team, which had an unprecedented run of success prior to announcing the move, has struggled to compete – but there is some support for lacrosse in Minnesota.

Wisconsin has a growing participation in lacrosse, and now a geographic rival in Marquette, should the Badgers choose to make the leap. Northwestern already sponsors women’s lacrosse, but that’s a blessing (clearly, the school has experience in the game and it fits the socioeconomic profile of students already in Evanston) and a curse (what women’s sport would NU add to reach Title IX compliance) when it comes to the men’s game.

Beyond those four, I think the remaining five schools in the league are pretty much equally unlikely to add the game.

As is evident, the Inside Lacrosse staff’s position seems to be right on the mark, at least in the foreseeable future. I would love to see the league expand as much as anyone, but it’s a long road to the day that we see more additions to the Big Ten. Perhaps when Michigan gets competitive (and I think they will, but the path may be a little extended compared to what I previously thought) or puts up big attendance numbers, it’ll be a little more eye-opening.

Stay tuned to GLS for more in the coming days when it comes to Big Ten lacrosse. Up next: the effects that this move might have on the Detroit program.

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The Wolverine Column: Hopkins to the Big Ten

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Tim

Over at the day job, a few thoughts on what the creation of the Big Ten men’s lacrosse conference means.

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