Loyola athletics - Lacrosse looks for a fourth consecutive Southern Section championship as season gets underway tomorrow
This report was provided by a guest contributor
Lacrosse begins its quest for a fourth consecutive title
The Lacrosse season opens for Loyola tomorrow, Saturday February 22, at 2:30 pm in a game against Orange County’s Foothill of Tustin at Los Alamitos High School.
Over the past four years Loyola’s lacrosse program has made a name for itself not only in Southern California, but on the national scene as well. The Cubs have defeated the Orange County powerhouse programs of Corona Del Mar, Foothill and St. Margaret's in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, to claim the Southern Section CHAMPIONSHIP trophy. The 2019 schedule pits Loyola against not only the best programs in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, but also Long island, New York. The 2019 will be a challenging campaign.
The returning team was anchored in 2018 by a strong defensive front with WILL PARDUCCI at goal and WILL KUPIEC, SHANE McAUSLAND and COLIN HAWKINS at close D. All four will be returning this season. Possessing seasoned talent is returning sophomore PRESTON BARNES is expected to capably fill the role of the fourth long pole on the field which opened-up this season. Second goalie CAM BIELER is headed to play at the D1 level next year, so the cage looks to be well guarded. This group shut down offenses last year with solid team work, physical one-on-one play and aggressively scooping up ground balls and moving to transition.
The 2018 offense consistently found a way to get-it-done in the clutch. While some fire power graduated, the first attack line returns KAISER FRY and ALEX HOROWITZ and adds JACK CAROLAN, collectively bringing as much firepower as any first attack line the team has everput on the field. The trio can be physical and aggressive with good vision, quick passing and the ability to dodge and feed from attack.
Having to play both sides of the field, the team may live or die based on the depth at the middie position. At middie, the team also returns a veteran, potent group in SPEED FRY, MATTHEW GARVEY and OWEN GAFFNEY. Each commanding a majority of-significant-field time in 2018 and possesses the ability to dodge from the top and fire off a heck of a shot. The team has additional depth at middie from skilled seniors in RONAN GALLAGHER, JACK ONUFER, TC PETTIT, AIDAN LABELLA, HUNTER BALLARD (an SMU Football commit) and KYLE KIRKPATRICK as well as a slew of new talented ready-to-prove-themselves athletes. The middies will need to play hard on both sides of the to assure yet another banner season.
The past two seasons, Loyola benefited by winning the majority of face-offs. The position was vacated by graduation, leaving sophomore MATT GOTTFRIED to battle at the dot. With quick hands and a solid frame, the team has confidence he’ll mature into an excellent face off specialist. While capable, his success at the varsity level is untested.
A nod to the freshman that earned a spot on the varsity roster goes to JACK WYNPERLE and JOE TATUM. The Cubs future looks bright.
For the entire lacrosse schedule, look at REPu or follow the link: http://athletics.loyolahs.edu/2017-2018/lacrosse/schedule/varsity/