Emery & Lang named 2012 DI NCAA All-American

The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA), whose members are NCAA college coaches, annually names NCAA All-American Lacrosse players. They recently released their 2012 teams. Northern California had the following players named:

DI:
Roy Lang 3rd team MF Cornell, attended St. Ignatius
Rob Emery HM MF Virginia, attended St. Ignatius

This is the first time ever that two NorCal guys have been named to the USILA All-American. Congrats to Roy and Rob!

You can see all the All-Americans in all three Divisions at:

http://www.usila.org/AllAmericanPDFs/2012-DivI-AA.pdf

NCS Lacrosse Championships: SRV 5 - DLS 4

2012 NCS DI Boys' Lacrosse Championship game

Two teams separated by a shade of Green met in the Dublin HS Stadium last night to determine who would be North Coast Section DI champions. In the end, all that separated the Wolves from the Spartans was a single goal. SRV prevailed 5-4 in a game marred by imprecise passes, insufficient stick protection, and imperfect catches. Both teams normally play a tight, crisp style of Lacrosse that is wonderfully entertaining. Why that crispness and precision didn't show up  more often last night, I don't know, but I'll attribute it to nervousness from the significance of this game. 

What significance? For De La Salle, its recent, near-permanent grip on the NCS title was loosened last year, when Monte Vista out-dueled the Spartans to win the title. For San Ramon, the significance was far, far, greater. San Ramon won its first, and only, NCS title in 2008, with one of the finest teams in Northern California history. "Well," one might say, "It's usual for there to be a drop off after a once-a-decade team departs." Usually true, friends, but not always true. The entering Freshman class at SRV for the 2008/2009 school year was a once-in-a-lifetime class. It contained a quartet of players who were locks to become top NCAA DI recruits. Zach Kline, Mike Tagliaferri, Jordan Weiss, and Patrick Worstell had local lacrosse fans buzzing when they were in 8th grade. I'd been in awe of that group back then – and even earlier. I believe I first saw Patrick Worstell play when he was in 5th grade, trying out for the indoor Junior Stealth. But it wasn't that I was perspicacious. Everyone who knew anything about lacrosse could see it. They were the future of NorCal lacrosse and they were THE TRUTH! So what happened to make last night's game so significant for SRV?

Well, at the simplest level, the Wolves hadn't won anything that really mattered to them. They finished as runner-up in the NCS a couple of times and lost in the semi-finals once. They beat SI a couple of times and that was a solid accomplishment. Very good, but not quite what people had expected, and not what the players and their coaches sought. Last night was the last game of the last season – and thus, the last chance – for this group of SRV boys to win NCS and fulfill their promise. They were resolute!

Things had changed a bit for this fabulous foursome. Zach Kline played only two years of lacrosse, then was offered an Athletic Scholarship to play Football at Cal. He forewent his last two years of Lacrosse to fulfill that dream. He entered Cal early and is ranked by some pigskin prognosticators as the #3 incoming college Quarterback in the nation. For the remaining three, all the anticipation and all the hoopla surrounding them proved to be true. Mike Tagliaferri, Jordan Weiss, and Patrick Worstell all became US Lacrosse All-Americans, with Michael being a two-time US Lacrosse All-American. All three were offered – and accepted – scholarships at legendary NCAA DI programs: Michael accepted an offer from Joe Breschi at North Carolina, Jordan accepted an offer from Jeff Tambroni at Penn State, and Patrick accepted an offer from John Desko at Syracuse. But, funny things can happen on the way to college. Late in his Senior year, Patrick Worstell was approached by the Cal Football coaches and offered a scholarship to play Wide Receiver at Cal, thus re-connecting him with Zach Kline. After thinking long and hard about it, the idea of catching more of Zach Kline's passes fulfilled a different dream for him. So the final outcomes for these four are: 2 NCAA DI lacrosse players and 2 NCAA DI Football players. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Coming into the game, LaxPower stats provided the following data:

Average Goals for: SRV 12.22 (#2 in NCS) DLS 10.35 (#10 in NCS)

Goals allowed: SRV 5.57 (#1 in NCS) DLS 6.38 (#8 in NCS)

Power Ranking: SRV (98.79 #1 in NCS) DLS (96.37 #2 in NCS)

Quality wins: SRV (13.81 #1 in NCS) DLS (11.90 #2 in NCS)

These were the two best North Coast Section teams in my opinion and LaxPower backs that up with statistics. Now, on to last night's game:

Q1 - DLS sets up for the opening face with three poles on the FO unit, leaving two shorties and a pole in the Defensive area. They will show this look on and off throughout the game. Despite frequent early turnovers, you can see that DLS wants long possessions, waiting for opportunities to feed the crease. Understandably, they don't want to play run and gun with the Wolves. Jack McCormick makes a couple of good feeds into tight quarters, but crease Attackmen get stripped by aggressive SRV defenders. SRV opens with a motion set, having two As spin around the crease, looking for feeds. I liked this set, since it seemed likely to produce open looks, but the SRV coaches apparently saw something they didn't like about the match ups it produced, and we didn't see that set again. Mike Tags scores on a rip, giving SRV the first goal and the lead. Cade Bailey answers with a goal for DLS. Cam Bowlby is brilliant in the cage for SRV this quarter, making 4 high quality saves. The quarter ends, 1-1.

Q2 - Doug Strazza picks up a loose ball in the DLS defensive area and runs it all the way down the field for a Long-Pole goal. DLS leads 2-1. Later in the quarter, SRV's Austin French, at X, spots Jackson Brown uncovered just above the left pipe. Like all good X Attacks, French exploits the defensive lapse and makes a perfect feed. Brown buries it. Score is knotted at deuces going into halftime.

Halftime finds both teams practicing their throwing and catching. This goes on longer than expected by me, but it may have a calming effect on two teams who are still not playing fully within themselves

Q3 - This is San Ramon's quarter. They outscore the Spartans 3-1. Peter Tagliaferri scores the first two of the quarter, one on a nice feed from his older brother and one assisted by Jordan Weiss. I had the assist credited to Patrick Worstell, but aging eyes can confuse 42 and 12, so I'll go with the official scorekeeper. Score is now 4-2. DLS answers with a nice goal by Owen Euser, off a feed from Jimmy Keane, bringing the DLS bench to life! Score 4-3. But then, SRV scores its third of the quarter, as Michael Tags picks up his second of the night on an unassisted goal off the dodge. DLS is covering Tags like blanket – either shutting him off with a shortie or having a pole cover him with another pole ready to slide to him early. Still, he gets his points! That goal quiets the DLS side of the Stadium for a bit. It could have been worse for the Spartans, but Payden Dickerson has 4 outstanding saves in the quarter. 3rd quarter ends 5-3 SRV.

Q4 - DLS is in a bind, They're two down with 12 minutes to go. Their strategy of long possessions, awaiting an open man on the crease has become a non-starter, as they need at least 2 goals this quarter and SRV is now trying to make their own possessions longer. So long that they get called for stalling. Then, off a CTO by SRV a GB scrum ensues. Somehow, Jack Mac garners the GB behind the scrum and has no one between him and the goalie. He turns, takes a couple of steps and buries it low. There's hope for DLS as the score is now 5-4! But, no further credible scoring opportunities arise for the Spartans and the Wolves win a squeaker!  

   

Here are the stats from the Official Scoresheet (N.B. the scoresheet had the final score right, but had not allocated one of the DLS goals. I have allocated that goal based on my records. Otherwise, everything's straight from the official scoresheet)

Teams   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total

DLS……..1…1….3…0….5   

SRV……..1…1….1….1…4

Saves:

DLS (Dickerson) 8 – Save percentage 61.5%

SRV (Bowlby) 10 – Save percentage 71.4%

Offense:

SRV 

Player………….G..A..P

M Tagliaferri……2..1..3

P Tagliaferri…….2..0..2

Brown………..…1..0..1

French………….0..1..1

Weiss……………0..1..1

Totals……………5..3..8 (60% of goals assisted)

DLS

Player………….G..A..P

Bailey…………..1..0..1

Euser…………..1..0..1

Strazza…………1..0..1

McCormick……..1..0..1

Teague………….0..1..1

Keane…………..0..1..1

Totals……………4..2..6 (50% of goals assisted)

Defense:
SRV Goals Allowed vs DLS Average goals scored: 4 v 10.35 -6.35
DLS Goals Allowed vs SRV Average goals scored: 5 v 12.22 -7.22

With rare exceptions, the performance by the defensive units of both teams was exceptional. Great saves, lifted shot attempts, intercepted passes – this game had it all on the defensive side of the ball. Great to watch!

Emotional and physical intensity was at the highest levels in this Sectional Championship. Tons of fist pumps after a great play. Powerful checks, ferocious ground ball battles, and numerous full-length dives at the sideline to be closest to a ball heading out of bounds. Utterly amazing intensity! Well played, guys. I'm proud of all of you – on both teams – that I have watched and known over the years. Thanks for providing such great lacrosse to the fans of Northern California – and thanks for the memories you've created. They'll stay with me forever!

Bill Welty

P.S. De La Salle and San Ramon Valley have long been my favorite NCS teams. I'm not sure how this happened, but I know, and greatly respect, both coaching staffs and I have known many, many players on both teams, some for as many as nine years. I've known most parents of these players over the same period of time and have found them to be among the most supportive, caring, and genuine folks I've ever met.

Much as the High School careers for many of you are ending, so it is with my son. I am ineffably sad that it all has come to an end for most of us –  parents and players alike. We were lucky to live through the magical years of Northern California Lacrosse! Many of you will continue your lacrosse careers in college. I wish you the best and know that you will represent yourselves, your schools and your families with honor and sterling character. After all, you've been trained by the best group of coaches and parents I know. Who knows, maybe I'll see you, or your parents, or your coaches, on the fields or in the stands at college lacrosse games on the East Coast. I hope so!   

NorCal Chapter of US Lacrosse releases Boys' All-Americans

The following press release is from the NorCal Chapter of US Lacrosse:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2012

Northern California Chapter of US Lacrosse Names Boy’s High School All Americans

SAN FRANCISCO – After a rigorous evaluation process, fifteen Bay Area high school lacrosse players have been named as US Lacrosse High School All-Americans. Players, who are nominated by their coaches and supported by their respective leagues, were voted on by a committee of Northern California lacrosse coaches and league representatives that included one representative from each League in Northern California and the NCJLA.
The following local players were named to the team (players listed in alphabetical order):

ALL AMERICANS

Chad Cohan, Senior, Attack, St. Ignatius College Prep
Richard Cornew, Senior, Defense, Menlo-Atherton High School 
Michael Hernandez, Senior, Midfield, Piedmont High School
Sam Holton, Senior, Defense, Archbishop Mitty High School
JW McGovern, Senior, Attack, St. Ignatius College Prep•
Will McKee, Senior, Midfield, St. Ignatius College Prep
Wiley Osborne, Junior, Attack, Menlo School
Cameron Parsons, Senior, Defense, Monte Vista High School
Joe Reid, Sophomore, Midfield, Casa Grande High School
Jerome Rigor, Junior, Attack, Foothill High School
Alex Rutan, Senior, Midfield, Las Lomas High School
Mikie Schlosser, Junior, Attack, Davis High School
Patrick Shevelson, Senior, Goaltender, Foothill High School
Michael Tagliaferri, Senior, Midfield, San Ramon Valley High School• 
Jordan Weiss, Senior, Midfield, San Ramon Valley High School


"We are extremely proud of our 2012 All Americans," said Carlos Trujillo, Nor-Cal Chairman for US Lacrosse Secondary School Division. “All of our candidates this year are outstanding young men on and off the lacrosse field and represent the best of Bay Area lacrosse. Their talents on the field further display the continued growth of the sport of lacrosse in our region. These young men earned the respect of their teammates, opponents and coaches. Many of these players have Division I college commitments from schools like North Carolina, Princeton, Penn State, Yale and Duke and we wish them well in their college careers. We are equally proud of our Academic All American's who represent both outstanding lacrosse and the best and brightest in their respective classrooms."
Also receiving awards were the following players and coaches:

ACADEMIC ALL AMERICANS

Peter Doyle, Senior, Midfield, St. Ignatius

Justice Fleischmann, Senior, Midfield, Acalanes 

Gus Gradinger, Senior, Goaltender, Monte Vista 

Chase Hildeburn, Senior, Midfield, Miramonte HS 

Jamie Muresanu, Senior, Midfield, Marin Academy 

Brian Rath, Senior, Goaltender, Campolindo HS 

Sommer Stein, Senior, Defense, Marin Academy

COACH OF THE YEAR 

Chris Packard, St. Ignatius

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 

Patrick Chung, Monte Vista

MAN OF THE YEAR

Carlos Trujillo, Archbishop Mitty

US Lacrosse will make their official announcement in Mid-June. 
__________________________
• Both JW and Michael are two-time US Lacrosse All-Americans

2012 WCAL All-League teams

The West Catholic Athletic League has named their All-League Lacrosse teams for the 2012 season. Here they are:

1st Team
John BigelowBellarmine Senior D
 Chad Cohan Saint Ignatius Senior A 
Griffin Goudreau Bellarmine Senior D
Sam Holton Archbishop Mitty Senior D 
Joe Lang Saint Ignatius Sophomore  A
Matt McGloin Junipero Serra Junior A 
JW McGovern Saint Ignatius Senior A
Will McKee Saint Ignatius Senior M
Connor McLeod Junipero Serra Senior D
Connor Towne Bellarmine Junior M
2nd team
Alex Abiog Bellarmine Junior
William DeWitt Saint Francis Senior
Peter Doyle Saint Ignatius Senior
Matt Emery Saint Ignatius Junior
Milo “Sedge” Gates Jr. Sacred Heart Cathedral Junior 
Aidan Goyette Junipero Serra Senior
Ryan Graysmark Archbishop Mitty Senior
Billy Herr Archbishop Mitty Senior
Jack McGovern Saint Ignatius Junior  
Lawrence Zhou Bellarmine Junior


Honorable Mention

Chad Bell Saint Ignatius Junior M 

Chase Bunce Bellarmine Freshman D 

Sam Carver Saint Francis Senior A  
Michael Cerone Archbishop Mitty Freshman A   
Colin Franceschini Sacred Heart Cathedral Junior M   
Gain Hagenau Junipero Serra Junior D   
Stephen Henegan Archbishop Mitty Junior LSM   
Jake Kidwell Saint Francis Junior M 
Sam Oliver Junipero Serra Junior M  
Joe Rodriguez Bellarmine Sophomore A  
Jackson Shales Junipero Serra  Senior F/O   
Cullen Vincellette Saint Ignatius Junior M


Congratulations to all these fine players!

NorCal HS All-American voting is complete

If my information is good – and I believe it is – coaches' voting for High School All-Americans and Academic All-Americans is complete. Oftentimes, US Lacrosse is very slow in reporting the guys who have been named AA, but they will report the results. It has been a very fine year for NorCal lacrosse, with coaches having a difficult time coming to their final selections.

Note: The list of NorCal AAs, Academic AAs, Coaches of the Year and Man of the Year has been released and can be viewed at: http://norcallacrosse.blogspot.com/2012/05/norcal-chapter-of-us-lacrosse-releases.html

SRV v MV NCS semi-final

With two minutes left in the 3rd quarter, it's SRV 9 MV 5.

Stick penalty on SRV to start the 4th Quarter.
Still 9-5 Wolves with 9:52 left in the 4th.

SRV 10 MV 5.

With a minute left in the game, it's SRV 12 MV 6.

And that was the final. Austin French had 4 goals for the Wolves, Mike Tagliaferri had 3, Patrick Worstell had 2, and youngTags, Peter, controlled most of the face-offs. Go Wolves!

Rob Emery's head and stringing analyzed

When you can shoot 104 MPH, people want to know how you do it. I recently published a post from All West Lacrosse wherein Dan Nourse was the commentator on a video while Rob Emery ripped a few. You can see the video here:

http://norcallacrosse.blogspot.com/2012/05/rob-emery-demonstrates-his-time-room.html

Now, there's a thread on The Lacrosse Forums in which a poster claims to have one of Rob's backup sticks. The poster has photos up of the stringing and answers question about the stick from numerous inquirers. Wanna read it? Here's the link:

http://forums.insidelacrosse.com/showthread.php?t=238307

Can Rob really shoot it 104 MPH? Well, I've never put a radar gun on one of his shots, but I can say this: Of all the lacrosse games I've ever watched in person (maybe 1,000) and watched on television (maybe 400), I have seen only 2 players blow a hole in the net as the ball went straight on through. Rob was one of them and the game took place at the Adrenaline Challenge in San Diego. I even have a video of it which I'll try and find. If it surfaces, I'll post it here. NorCal laxers – blowing up nets since 2010!

Addendum: I found the video of Rob blowing a hole in the net: View it at:

Rob Emery – the "hole" truth!

North Coast Section – playoff results & Championship games

Division I Friday, May 18th:
San Ramon Valley 13 Acalanes 8
Monte Vista 6 Davis 2*
Redwood 11 Foothill 10
Division I Saturday, May 19th:
De La Salle 13 Las Lomas 8

Wednesday, May 23rd:
San Ramon Valley prevails in its Semi-Final game with Monte Vista 12
De La Salle pulls out a squeaker  in its Semi-Final match with Redwood, 7-6

Division I Championship, May 25th
San Ramon Valley vs. De La Salle 8PM at Dublin Stadium

*Davis' magnificent season comes to and end. They were 20-1 on the year. Congrats to them!
_______________________________________________________________________
Division II Friday, May 18th:
Piedmont 14 Campolindo 7
Novato 8 Miramonte 6
Division II Saturday, May 19th:
Marin Academy 10 University HS 6
Marin Catholic 14 Tamalpais 4

Division II Tuesday, May 22nd
Marin Catholic prevails against Novato in a Semi-Final game, 14-10
Marin Academy defeats Piedmont in a Semi-Final game, 15-13

Division II Championship, May 26th
Marin Catholic vs Marin Academy at Marin Catholic, 2 PM

Wednesday, May 23rd:
Piedmont faces Marin Academy in a semi-final match at Redhill Field, Wednesday May 23rd, time TBA
Marin Catholic hosts Novato in a semi-final match on Wednesday May 23rd, time TBA

Division II Championship, Saturday May 26th:

Marin Catholic hosts Marin Academy at 2PM

Roy Lang - marked man?

Roy Lang, former 2X HS AA at St. Ignatius and former 1st team AA at Cornell, has played precisely one game in the MLL. Here's the money quote from an article about theOhio Machine's upcoming game against Roy's team, the Rochester Rattlers:

The question that remains is who’s going to stop Ned Crotty?

After his spectacular performance against the Bayhawks last week, Crotty made his presence known that he was back in the MLL. His skill, vision and knowledge will be his weapons to dismantle the Ohio defense.

Joining Crotty in the “who/how to cover” category is rookie Roy Lang. He had a stellar game versus Chesapeake and is a threat at the midfield.

It would make sense to see Kyle Hartzell on Crotty to shut him down, and then put Bice or Schmidt on Lang. It’ll be a tough call for Coach Garber.

Some things never change....

Read the entire article at:
http://www.inlaxwetrust.com/2012/5/18/3028723/ohio-to-host-rochester-in-first-ever-mll-home-game

Rosters for Under Armour Senior Lacrosse All-America teams announced

Rosters for the Under Armour Senior All-America teams have been announced and can be scrutinized at:
http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2012/05/16/2012-under-armour-all-america-lacrosse-senior-teams-announced#comment-542865

As announced here earlier, Michael Tagliaferri was named to the UA North team. Other Western players making the Under Armour Senior All-America team are:

Brendan Gaughan A La Costa Canyon Michigan
Matt Florence M Kent Denver Virginia
Tanner Scales D Regis Jesuit Virginia

Neither Michael Tagliaferri nor Matt Florence will be able to play in the UA AA game, as they are both members of the USA U19 team and have conflicting schedules as part of the USA TEAM.

Congrats to all these fine Western players!

Roy Lang Plays 1st MLL game before graduation!

Roy Lang, the former 2X HS AA at St. Ignatius, 1st team NCAA DI AA and Tewaaraton nominee, played his first MLL game on May 12th. He was drafted 11th by the Rochester Rattlers and was activated within days of his final college lacrosse game. That college game took place on May 4th. Just a week later, he scored his first professional goal as a member of the Rochester Rattlers, in a 10-6 victory over Chesapeake. Two weeks after that first MLL game, Roy will graduate from Cornell University. What a dizzying lacrosse career Roy has had! Congrats to Roy on his first professional goal. Even greater congratulations are due for his graduation from an Ivy League school!

North Coast Section Brackets are out!

Boys Division 1 Bracket (Schools with1400 or more students or 700 or more boys):
http://cifncs.org/sports/lacrosse/files/results/2012/LAXB1BRACKET12.pdf

Top 7 seeds get a bye for the first round. They are:
1 SRV
2 DLS
3 Foothill
5 Davis
6 Redwood
7 Las Lomas


Boy's Division II Bracket (Schools with fewer than 1400 students or fear than 700 boys:
http://cifncs.org/sports/lacrosse/files/results/2012/LAXB2BRACKET12.pdf

This is a 9 team bracket. Top four seeds are:

1 Marin Catholic
2 Piedmont
3 Marin Academy
4 Miramonte

Rob Emery demonstrates his Time & Room shot

Here's a cool video of UVA star and former 2x HS AA from St. Ignatius, Rob Emery – at an All West Lacrosse Camp – giving you the tips and techniques to rip a Time & Room shot:

http://laxx.tv/link/8081/

At an Adrenaline Challenge in San Diego, several years ago, I saw one of Rob's shots blow a hole in the net. Amazing! He shoots it 104 MPH.

Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association releases All-Conference teams

The western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (WILA) recently released their Men's All-Conference teams. A number of NorCal guys were honored. You can see the entire ALl-Conference list at:

http://www.westsidelax.com/news_article/show/148615?referrer_id=427506

Several NorCal players I've enjoyed watching over the years were honored. Here they are:

1st Team

Kevin Arabejo D NDNU of Danville (HS in Ann Arbor, Michigan)

2nd Team

Reed Upson A Dominican Davis HS

Dalton Copeland M Dominican Novato HS

Brian Raaka LSM Dominican Miramonte HS

Honorable Mention

Austin Pridham A Colorado Mesa Bellarmine

Giuliano Sanchez D Colorado Mesa De La Salle

Congrats to all these guys for succeeding at the next level!

Michael Tagliaferri named to Under Armour All-American game

Today I learned that Michael Tagliaferri, San Ramon Valley Senior, Junior Year HS All-American and University of North Carolina commit, was named to play in the Under Armour All-American game in Baltimore this summer.

Only 44 graduated High School Seniors participate in this annual event – 22 on the North team and 22 on the South team. As has been the case in the past, this game will be nationally televised by one of the ESPN channels.

Corrigan Enterprises manages this event and here's what they have to say about it:

" The Top 44 senior boys and girls are selected by a committee made up of the nation's most knowledgeable figures in high school lacrosse. Only true seniors in good academic standing are considered for participation. The players will compete in separate boys' and girls' North vs. South All-Star Games during the event.

The 2012 Under Armour All-America rosters are selected byINSIDE LACROSSE and the selection committee."

Michael becomes the sixth Californian to participate in the Under Armour All-America game, joining three other NorCal guys and two from San Diego. The earlier Under Armour All-Americans are:

Casey Hingtgen 2006 La Costa Canyon Dartmouth 

Will Yeatman 2006 Rancho Bernardo Maryland 

Alex Capretta 2008 St. Ignatius Princeton 

Roy Lang 2008 St. Ignatius Cornell 

Rob Emery 2010 St. Ignatius Virginia

Congratulations to Michael, who is definitely one of the finest High School players in the United States. I look forward to watching him in this game and in games when he's wearing Carolina Blue!

Ivy League signs first-ever TV deal for Lax with NBC

NBC and the Ivy League have reached an agreement whereby NBC will televise a good number of the Conference's Football, Basketball, and Lacrosse games. I believe the Ivy League becomes be the first DI conference to reach agreement with a national broadcasting entity for Men's lacrosse. You can read about the contract at:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pretzel/Ivy-League-strikes-major-national-television-deal-with-NBC-Sports-Network.html

NBC previously held Ivy League broadcast rights for Football and Basketball. The new contract adds a Spring sport to the agreement. It should be of interest to all Lacrosse fans that NBC elected Lacrosse to be the Spring season, not Baseball or another Spring sport. I have argued earlier that Lacrosse would be the most likely Spring sport to become a "revenue" sport. I believe the NBC contract is evidence of that view. You can read my earlier analysis at:
http://norcallacrosse.blogspot.com/2012/04/provocative-question-will-lacrosse-ever.html

Congratulations to the Ivy League for reaching this deal with NBC – and congratulations to NBC for having the perspicacity to enter into a conference wide lacrosse broadcasting deal. I think we'll see more of these deals within the next few months.

NCAA DI & DIII: Happy NorCal Seniors

Several NorCal Seniors are happy tonight, as the colleges they'll be attending in the Fall have been selected to play in the 2012 NCAA DI Championships. They are:
• Chad Cohan SI (Duke commit)  Plays Syracuse in Durham, NC May 12th at noon
• JW McGovern SI (Yale commit) Plays Notre Dame in South Bend, IN May 13th at 5:15 PM
• Will McKee SI (Lehigh commit) Plays Maryland in Bethlehem, PA May 13th at 7:30PM
• Mike Tagliaferri SRV (UNC commit) Plays Denver in Chapel Hill, NC May 12th at &:30 PM

I'll be taking in both the Duke v Syracuse game and the UNC v Maryland games. Who knows, maybe I'll see some of the guys at the games!

In DIII, both Patrick Shevelson FH and Phil Aliman SI (Kenyon commits) will be interested in Kenyon's game against Dickinson on May 9th.

2 NorCal players make All-Ivy

Two former NorCal players – both two-time HS All-Americans – made the All-Ivy team released today. Parker Brown – formerly of UHS – was named All-Ivy as an Honorable Mention Attackman, while Roy Lang – formerly of SI – was named to the 1st team All-Ivy team as a midfielder. Congrats to both of these scholar-athletes for their on-field performance!

While not from NorCal, Greg Mahoney of Yale was named as a 1st team Midfielder. Mr. Mahoney is a Western Lacrosse player who hails from Mercer Island Washington. These three constitute all the Western United States members of the 2012 All-Ivy teams.

Patrick Worstell foregoes Lax at Syracuse for FB at Cal

Patrick Worstell, a Junior year HS AA from San Ramon Valley, was an early Lacrosse commit to Syracuse – where his Grandfather played the game on the same line with Jim Brown - yep, THAT Jim Brown. But things change. I don't know the details, but Patrick has elected to accept a Football Scholarship to Cal, where he will pair up with Zach Kline, his QB at San Ramon.

It must be a wonderful thing to be so athletically gifted as to be able to play two NCAA DI sports at a high level. I wish Patrick the very best. He's a great young man and would be a credit to any school, in any sport, that he elects to play.