College: Yale defeats Providence – 9 California laxers suited up

I was in New Haven tonight, taking in the Yale vs. Providence game. Yale prevailed, 13 – 6, in a contest between two good teams. The Bulldogs are now 5-3, while the Friars are 7-4.

Beyond enjoying the game, I was struck by the number of Californians suited up for this game – 9! As a symbol of the growth in numbers and quality of California laxers, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is more expressive of the rising tide of Californians on NCAA DI teams than seeing nine guys from "Cali" suited up and ready to play!

Providence has 6 California players. They are:
• Jack Cruzan, Del Mar, Cathedral Catholic
• Griffin Goudreau, Campbell, Bellarmine
• Jake Newman, Mill Valley, Marin Catholic
• Zach Rogers, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes
• Giancarlo Sangiacomo, San Francisco, St. Ignatius Prep
• Jack Yeatman, San Diego, Rancho Bernardo

Yale has 3 players from the Golden State. They are:
• Michael Keasey, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar
• JW McGovern, San Francisco, St. Ignatius Prep
• Alex Moffit,  Rancho Santa Fe, Cathedral Catholic

Here are some breakdowns;
• Five players from parochial schools, four from public schools
• Four Norcal guys, three San Diego guys, and two from the greater LA area.
• Two schools had a pair of players in the game – St. Ignatius and Cathedral Catholic

What fun it was to see Giancarlo Sangiacomo and JW McGovern hanging out after the game, shootin' the breeze. As former teammates at SI, they battled for their college teams during the game, but afterwards, their long-lived friendship transcended the name of the college on their chest. Poignant moment for me!

I assert that nine is the largest number of Californians in history to suit up for an NCAA DI lacrosse game. If you can name two DI teams with more than 9 California players – who were on the same field at the same time – you'll win a prize from me. Post an anonymous message, with your name. I'll eliminate your name before publishing your message if you wish. The Prize? A case of new balls! Only NCAA DI teams for this contest, please. No DII or DIII teams and no club teams.

See the Inside Lacrosse game write-up at:

http://games.insidelacrosse.com/game/recap/10506/2013-04-02/providence-friars--yale-bulldogs

Providence College – NorCal Players

Giancarlo Sangiacomo

Jake Newman

       Griffin Goudreau


Yale University - NorCal Players

JW McGovern

Organized Lacrosse in Oakland Public Schools

Lacrosse has had its ups and downs in Oakland, with early efforts to launch the game going back more than twenty years. Despite great effort and dedicated coaches most of those early efforts failed. But efforts continued and it may be that Oakland's large school population may be on a path to critical mass. Here is a terrific story about the Oakland Lacrosse Club and Kevin Kelley, who are organizing a major effort to expose Oakland boys and girls to our sport. I wish them the very best of luck:


Kevin played Division I lacrosse at Providence College, where he graduated in 2000. After graduation he moved to the Bay Area and helped start the Piedmont high program. He was assistant coach in 2002 and 2003 and head coach from 2004-2009, compiling a 73-42 record and three straight NCS appearances (2006-2008).


Oakland Lacrosse Club

Griffin Goudreau 2011 Highlights

Griffin Goudreau, the 6'5" 220 pound Close D/LSM has committed to play for NCAA DI Providence College. Griffin, who attends Bellarmine College Prep, played for the Alcatraz Outlaws this past summer, where he caught the eye of a number of coaches. Here are his highlights from the 2011 season.