Santa Margarita Eagles Lacrosse

Eagles Pound Laguna Hills

On Friday night the Lady Eagles completed the first week’s scheduling gauntlet with five games in seven days…yes that is correct five games in seven days. The girls dominated Laguna Hills with convincing 19-10 victory finishing the week 4-1. The only loss coming at the hands of the talented El Toro Chargers which was a consensus Top Three team in the county the entire season last year.

Adrienne Anderson was switched from defense to offense mid-week and the moved paid off. Anderson and Brianne Richards scored 4 goals apiece to lead the Eagles. The scoring and the Eagle offense has proved to be a pretty balanced and a deep advantage for Santa Margarita this season to date. Madelin Williams added 3 goals, Carlie McNiff, Andi Elwell and Erica Henson scored twice each and Caitlyn Viar and Hope Blain added solo goals.

The girls were given Saturday the 13th off as a reward for a very successful first week and have time to prepare for a big showdown with Orange County power Corona del Mar next Saturday (the 20th) on the turf at Santa Margarita.

Eagles Late Surge Tops Mission Viejo

On Saturday March 6th , Santa Margarita opened the Rose Bowl tournament against Mission Viejo in a delayed start, rain shortened game ending in a controversial forfeit in favor of Santa Margarita. Although the game was forfeited by the Diablos the tournament officials sent Mission Viejo thru to the winners bracket because they were leading 5-3 at the point the game was called.

It is only fitting that the regular season start with the same two teams meeting just two days after the Rose Bowl controversial game with both teams wanting to show who was the better team.

The games first half was a tough defensive struggle featuring a few yellow cards to both sides and ended with a 3-2 Diablo lead. The second half continued to be more of the same with yellow cards flying and the score still knotted 6-6 with 4:00 minutes remaining in the game. The Santa Margarita girls had decided enough was enough. The Eagles scored four goals in the last four minutes to win the game 10-6.

Brianne Richards, Carly McNiff and Madelin Williams scored two goals each while Caitlin Viar, Melina Soll, Adrienne Anderson and Erica Henson netted solo goals.

Lauren Guidice recorded three saves while tending goal for the visiting Santa Margarita girls who now stand at 3-0 for the season.

Snack Shack Specials in March!

The following are the specials that the snack shack will be serving for the March Womens Home Games!

Specials for March 10th- Women’s JV and Varsity
Meatball Sandwiches with Provolone Cheese

Specials for March 17th- Women’s JV
St. Patrick’s Day desserts

Specials for March 20th – Women’s JV and Varsity
Homemade Waffles
Donuts
Bagels with Cream Cheese

Specials for March 31st- Women’s JV and Varsity
Sliders

At each game we will also have baked potatoes with all the fixins’, quesadillas, and hot dogs, too!

Womens 2010 Preview

The girls varsity lacrosse program has begun training and is set to start the 2010 season in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl Tournament on March 6th. The Eagles lose First Team Trinity League performer Cassie Mazalowski as well as Maddie Holloway from the 2009 squad but return First Teamer Kelsey Taber and Second Teamers Brianne Richards, Jordan O’Connor and Julia Wisch. Andi Elwell is expected to lend valuable leadership to the team as well.

“We will miss all of our graduated seniors…we expect all of our players to take ownership of the program and contribute productively,” said Coach Jen Van Alstine. “The most important group of girls to help lead the team will be our (2010) seniors. Seniors really help set the tone for a team and act as role models for the program.”

The Trinity League as well as the South Orange County area in general continues to produce the most talented girls lacrosse programs around and the Lady Eagles will play most of them in 2010. “Our goals and expectations for the season are similar to previous seasons…we see an opportunity to become a top competitor in our league and that will be our long term goal for this season,” said Van Alstine.

The girls program added a coach this year as Emma Garrett is prepared to guide the JV team in 2010. “We have worked with Emma before and having another opportunity to do so is exciting for all of us,” said Van Alstine. “I think the biggest impact she has made is allowing the girls to have more individual attention as well as freeing up Coach Michelle and I to focus on the Varsity team which is something we were not able to do last year.”

The girls will be practicing and attending conditioning sessions for the next nine weeks getting ready to make a run for a first Trinity League title.

Summer and Fall Off-season Training

Elite Sports conducted Summer & Fall off-season training sessions for the Girls Varsity and JV players. Eight players participated during the Summer including Adrienne Anderson, Hannah & Lena Huebscher, Carly McNiff, Brianna Richards, Melina Soll, Sarah Talbot and Megan Wheeler.

“Not only does it create a positive attitude but a realization of what it takes to play lacrosse at SMCHS”, says the Eagles Director of Lacrosse Vince Garcia. “Emma (Coach Garrett) is working hard to build their conditioning and strength for the season. Increasing their level of conditioning and strength will show up on the field through an increase in stamina and performance.”

According to Garcia the two players who stood out during the summer workouts were Megan Wheeler and Lena Huebscher.

The girls continued the off-season work into the Fall Semester adding a few to the group.

The Fall participants were Kaitlyn Belt, Lauren Giudice, Jessica Hickey, Lena & Hannah Huebscher, Jordan O’Connor, Melina Soll, Caitlin Viar, Megan Wheeler and Madelin Williams.

“Right now Elite Sports is working on building a foundation in endurance and building up their leg threshold. We want them to get used to feeling their leg strength underneath them,” said Garcia. This foundation is something we can build on as the season progresses. The girls will also begin to work with light weightsduring their workouts in the coming practice sessions.”

Garcia said the fall standouts were Melina Soll, Megan Wheeler and Kaitlyn Belt.

Program Advertising 09-10

Sponsorship Program Advertising is now available, below to view the document for more information.

Information can be viewed here.

Elite Training Group 2009-2010

Elite Sports Conditioning Training has developed a specialized group training program for athlete’s that have shown a desire to excel in their individual sport. This group trains at a separate time from the full team conditioning program. Each player has been hand selected to attend this group based on performance, attitude, coaches’ recommendations, and attendance.

Every year Elite Sports Conditioning Training presents the “Iron Eagle” award and participation in this group is one of the requirements needed to be eligible for this award. Another key requirement for this award is that players must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

First Selections of the Elite Training Group for 09/10

Sam Applegate
Frankie Berry (Captain)
Adam Enochs
Bret Enochs
Griffin Foster
Zac Kavanaugh
Justin Malloy
Roman Spinosi
Zack Worthen

Second Selections for the Elite Training Group for 2009-2010

Ian Babcock
Daniel Streit
Kyle Spierkel
Joushua Kang

Alumni Defeats Varsity 11-10 in 3rd Annual Blue vs. Gold Game

On a hot and sunny Saturday the Alumni team defeated the Mens Varsity team 11-10 in the annual Blue vs. Gold game. For the third installment of the Annual Blue vs. Gold Game featured for the first time an Alumni team completely filled with SM Lacrosse Alumni and Coaches. All graduating classes were represented and the new Mens Alumni were welcomed to the club: Jack Cranston, Ryan Curran, Justin Gabriel, Cameron Kilar, Ryan Parent, and Will Shaffer.

Photos coming soon!

Postseason Honors

Congratulations to the following players for their various postseason honors.

Boys

Jack Cranston
US Lacrosse Association All American
1st Team All County
Trinity League Most Valuable Offensive Player
1st Team All League

Cameron Kilar
US Lacrosse Association Academic All American
1st Team All League

Ronnie Pisano
1st team All League
Justin Malloy
1st team All League

Frank Berry
2nd team All League

Justin Gabriel
2nd Team All League

Reiley Higgins
2nd team All League

Cory Thompson
All League Honorable Mention

Conor Mullarky
All League Honorable Mention

Girls

Cassie Mazolewski
All County Honorable Mention
1st Team All League

Kelsey Taber
1st Team All League

Brianne Richards
2nd Team All League

Jordan O’Connor
2nd Team All League

Julia Wisch
2nd Team All League

Erica Henson
All League Honorable Mention

Maddie Holloway
All League Honorable Mention

Caitlin Viar
All League Honorable Mention

Womens Varsity falls short versus St. Margaret's, 17-20

The final home game for SMCHS turned out to be a thriller!! The crowd was loud and supportive of the girls' effort to carry the game into overtime. The team played its best game of the season to honor the seniors' last home game.

The Lady Eagles nearly beat St. Margarets Tuesday night. With a final score of 20-17 in double overtime, it was anyone’s game. St. Margarets jumped out to a quick lead, Goalie; Lindsay Garn (#30) made 9 saves in the first half to keep the game close. Madelin Williams, #16, scored first for SMCHS, and ended up with 4 goals for the game. Brianne Richards (#12) also scored 4 goals with some hard, high shots in front of the net. Cassie Mazolewski (#8) led the scoring with 5 goals and 1 assist, showing her scoring skill rushing from behind the net. Maddie Holloway (#1) and Julia Wisch (#11) each scored one goal.
The Eagles scored early in the second half to set an aggressive pace. SMCHS tied the game 15 - 15 late in the game when Erika Hanson (#21) picked off an errant pass from the Tartan's goalie to square the match to be settled in overtime. SM took its first lead of the game 17 – 16. A possible Santa Margarita upset win faded when the Tartans leading scorer managed to get open in front of the net tie the game with 12 seconds remaining. St. Margarets scored 3 goals in the second overtime and killed the clock with outside passing to finally take the win, 20-17.

What a great game and Congratulations Seniors!!!

SMCHS has 10 wins and 6 losses to date.

Womens Varsity defeats Mater Dei, 20-2

If there is one thing about the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team that is obvious it is their “DETERMINATION!” The team knew they needed to win this game and they worked hard and fast to get it! It seemed as if every player on the offensive team was determined to make a goal. It seems as if they did. During the second half, once SM realized they had the chance to score 20 goals, nothing got in their way. What a great job ladies! Congratulations Eagles on an outstanding win over Mater Dei.

Brianne Richards scored 6 goals and had 2 assists; Cassie Mazolewski scored 3 goals and had 2 assists. Maddie Holloway scored 2 goals. Caitlin Viar scored 2 goals and had1 assist. Andrea Elwell scored 2 goals. Sarah Gould, Ashley Wilson, Erica Henson, Hannah Huebscher, and Kaitlyn Belt each scored 1 goal. Julia Wisch had 1 assist. The awesome substitute Goalie Rylee Josipovich saved 6 goals in the first half and 5 in the second half for a total of 11 saves.

SMCHS has 10 wins and 5 losses to date.

In Memory of Zach Raffety

Eagles Lacrosse Described as Rising SoCal Program

The following is an article that appeared on Lax Power entitled "The Great Debate: The Next Hotbed of Lacrosse". The article discusses the explosion of growth around the country and where the next hotbed may be located. One author describes California as the next hot bed and goes on to state the Eagles Lacrosse program as one of the rising Elite in Southern California. Enjoy the read!

By Brett Manney and Ryan Rohde

It's no secret now that lacrosse is the nation's fastest growing sport. New programs are starting up everywhere from Oregon to Alabama and in between, and more states are now sanctioning the sport such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina. With current lacrosse hotbeds including Long Island, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, correspondents Brett Manney and Ryan Rohde debate which region will be next to join the list.

Brett: Lacrosse has been growing immensely out West, and I envision the great state of California as the next hotbed. The Golden State is catching up to its East Coast counterparts and it's evident when I travel to the Silicon Valley region every weekend as a member of the San Jose Stealth. Furthermore, I have attended clinics in Pleasanton and Scotts Valley, where the age of participants ranges from 7 to 17. Now in California, kids are playing just as early as the traditional lacrosse regions. Over time, it will only continue to grow.

Ryan: Although California is a good choice, I believe that the southern states are the next hotbed area for lacrosse, with Florida leading the charge. I include South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and even Alabama in the discussion. Hands down, the best team in the region is St. Andrews out of Boca Raton, FL. Let's disregard their domination of in-state opponents for the past decade and look at some of its out-of-state scores. Last season, the Scots beat Boys' Latin, 7-6, and lost to McDonogh, 7-5. In 2007, they lost to Boys' Latin, 8-5, fell to Episcopal, 6-5, lost to Cold Spring Harbor, 8-5, and beat McDonogh, 13-10. That's pretty impressive for any team, let alone a squad from South Florida.

Brett: Ryan, you make some valid points with St. Andrews, but California has talent oozing all over the state, not just with one team. Granted, California is much larger than Florida, but look at this year's recruits for example: Will Fredericks (Loyola), Billy Mattimore (Bucknell), Spencer Peterson (Duke), Carlton Fisher (Lehigh) and Noah Molnar (Lehigh). Three of the players (Mattimore, Fredericks, and Fisher) attend St. Ignatius Prep located outside of San Francisco. Soon, Southern California should catch up with the north and its athletic powers like Mater Dei, Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita Catholic.

Additionally, California always produces some of the best high school teams in the country, whether it's baseball, basketball or soccer. I believe lacrosse will flourish because athletes are able to practice outside for 12 months of the year. On the East Coast, players are limited in the winter months because of the weather, except in a few states like Florida. In due time, all indications point towards California being the next hotbed.

Ryan: The Southern Region can play year-round, too. In most states, the season begins in February. Meanwhile, the south produces great athletes as well, and colleges are taking notice. Lee Coppersmith (Hopkins), Matt Leighty (Hopkins), Jesse Barnhardt (Maryland) all hail from the state of Florida. Plus, Chase Cararro (Denver) is from Kentucky and TJ Kemp (UNC) is from Tennessee. That's just a handful of the recruits coming out of the south. Look at Neal Hicks, a junior at the University of Notre Dame. He's a native of Atlanta, Georgia and is currently leading the third-ranked team in the nation in points.

The state associations are beginning to realize the potential of the game, too. South Carolina just sanctioned lacrosse as a state sport, and Tennessee sanctioned it two years ago. The sport has grown 280 percent nationwide in the past decade, and in South Carolina, lacrosse has grown from six teams in 2001 to 28 in 2009. I know that 28 teams isn't a lot, but you can already see the growth taking shape, and this is happening in every state across the region.

Brett: Solid points Ryan, but I think California will continue to grow even more with the addition of many former lacrosse players residing in the Golden State. For example, Coronado -- which recently upset St. Ignatius Prep -- is coached by former pro lacrosse player and Notre Dame standout Alex Cade. Many former Division I players are coaching at the high school level. This will provide the kids with more experience and knowledge than a coach who has barely played the game.

In 2000, California had 40 high school teams. In 2007, there were 173, with more schools are adding the sport every year. The state is known for its great athletic programs and lacrosse is surely to be the next one added to the list.

Ryan: But the south has an endless amount of athletes. An increasing amount of football players are beginning to realize their potential in lacrosse, not only to help them on the gridiron, but as a possible option for college as well. College coaches want athletes first and lacrosse players second.

Secondly, the facilities are top of the line. The southern states are crazy about high school football. The facilities that these schools build for their football programs rival most colleges. During the offseason, lacrosse players can lift in their program's state-of-the-art weight room, train with the high-caliber strength and conditioning coach, and then come spring time, they can play in beautiful football stadiums. The allure of playing lacrosse as a primary sport or just as a secondary sport in the spring is undeniable. All of these factors combined make the south a serious hotbed contender.

Brett Manney was a four-year varsity lacrosse player at the University of Delaware before graduating in 2008. Ryan Rohde won three national championships this decade as a member of the Salisbury Sea Gulls. Both are correspondents for LaxPower.

Womens Varsity wins Round 2 vs. J Serra, 11-8

On Monday, March 30 the Varsity Girls showed up to WIN! With a frustrating loss to JSerra earlier in the month, the Eagles were not about to let this one by. With a first half score of 9-3, SM was on fire. As the second half progressed, JSerra gave the girls a reason to be on their game and their parents a reason to sweat. With much determination, the girls did what they set out to do, beat JSerra. With a final score of 11-8 the Eagles (and parents) celebrated! Cassie Mazolewski had 3 goals and 1 assist. Both Julia Wisch and Hope Blain had 2 goals. Maddie Holloway, Erica Henson, Ashley Wilson and Andrea Elwell each made one goal. Goalie Lindsey Garn saved 7 goals in the first half and 9 goals in the second half for a total of 16 saves.

Congratulations Ladies and Coaches!

8 wins 3 losses.

Womens Varsity outlasts Mater Dei, 11-9

On Saturday, March 28 the Varsity Girls had a nail biting win over Mater Dei with a final score of 11 – 9. With a first half score of 5 - 5, anything could happen. Fortunately, the Eagles dominated the second half. Senior Midfielder, Cassie Mazolewski powered through to make 6 goals. Julia Wisch scored 2 goals. Caitlin Viar scored 1 goal and had 1 assist. Maddie Holloway and Ashley Wilson each scored a goal and Brianne Richards had 1 assist Goalie Lindsey Garn saved 5 goals in the first half and 6 in the second half for a total of 11 saves.

Congratulations Eagles!
7 wins 3 losses.

JV Girls Get 3 Wins In Week 2

The JV Girls improved their overall record to 4-2 with wins over Mater Dei, Peninsula (Palos Verdes) and Foothill making it through a tough stretch of the schedule with four games in four days.

On Wednesday, the Eagles started the week off by downing Mater Dei 9-4 despite losing the majority of the draws and ground balls. Freshman Hayley Ritterhern led the second half barrage of Santa Margarita goals by netting five herself helping to break open a tight 3-2 Eagle halftime lead.

On Thursday, the girls traveled up the coast to Palos Verdes to face Peninsula High School. The Panthers were no match for Santa Margarita as the Eagles dominated the entire game that ended 8-1 victory.

The Saturday double header with perennial LAX powerhouseFoothill proved to be the biggest test for the fast improving SM squad with Foothill bringing two complete JV teams to play our girls in back to back games. They decided to pit their JV “B” team against us in the Game 1 matchup and it proved to be a thriller when Ashley Almquist and Adrienne Anderson led the way with early goals to help give Santa Margarita a 5-3 halftime lead. Foothill started off the second half with a renewed sense of defense and scoring. They scored two goals to tie the game at the 12:00 mark. Santa Margarita then went on a 4-0 run to make the final score 9-5. Lauren Meech, Carlie McNiff, Liz Watson also scored with Almquist and Andersonnetting two goals each.

In game 2, Santa Margarita’s legs finally gave out in an 11-4 loss to Foothill’s JV A team. The highlights from this contest were Rylee Josipovich’s dramatic save after save finishing with 12 for the game.

By Dean Soll

Santa Margarita Eagles ride the wave over Chadwick Dolphins

The Lady Eagles Varsity Lacrosse Team traveled to take on the Chadwick Dolphins on their field in Palos Verdes on St Patrick’s Day. While the fans in the stands donned green, the field was a sea of blue as both teams wore their colors and met to take the opening draw at 4:00 pm.

Senior Captain Cassie Mazolewski, Center, set the tone by taking that draw to the goal and putting her team on the board after just seconds in the game. The Eagles skillfully handled the ball and scored again in the next minute with Sophomore Brianne Richards, Attack, finding Junior Caitlin Viar, Attack, to win a one-on-one with the Dolphins goalie at point blank range. The Dolphins answered with a goal, and then Richards found Sophomore Hope Blain, Midfielder, who took it to the goal getting her first on the season. Then the Chadwick team got a two point run with one goal coming from a penalty shot off an Eagles’ shooting space violation. Mazolewski was then given an advantage by Chadwick’s center, who was called for illegal procedure on the draw, and the Eagles’ captain took that advantage straight to the goal.

Three minutes later Sophomore Middie Madelin Williams scored unassisted on a wraparound shot. The Dolphins answered forcing a turnover and putting one more on the scoreboard for their team. But the Chadwick scoring success would stop there as Mazolewski showcased her breakaway skills earning a “hat trick” with 6:45 left to play in the half. Less than two minutes later, Senior Ashley Wilson, Attack, scored her first goal of the season on an assist from Mazolewski. And just twenty seconds before the half, Blain found the back of the net again off a penalty shot taking the Eagles up eight to four at half-time.

The Lady Eagles completely dominated the second half showcasing the depth on their roster. After the break, it was Blain again running and gunning to the goal off the first draw and earning the second “hat trick” for the Eagles in the game. Then, Junior Midfielder Erica Henson forced a turnover and put her first goal of the game in the books, and Richards books a goal off an assist from Junior Midfielder Julia Wisch.

The Dolphins continued to play aggressively winning ground balls and holding the Eagles for the next six minutes of play, but midway through the half both Viar and Williams took the ball to the goal unassisted, posting their second goals of the game each less than two minutes apart. Chadwick never gave up and worked hard to get six shots off during the half with no success against the Eagles defense.

But it was the Eagles offense that added insult to injury, scoring three more in the last two minutes of the game. Williams earned her first “hat trick”, Mazolewski booked another goal and another assist, and Senior Sarah Gould, Attack, posted her first goal of the season off a penalty shot with just 45 seconds left in the game. Sophomore Goalie Lindsey Garn earned 11 saves and booked the win for Santa Margarita with a 16 to 4 final score.

The Lady Eagles are back in action on Thursday, March 19th at Peninsula High School in Palos Verdes.

by Toni Garn

Alumni News: Brendan Finneran

Eagles Alumni Coach Brendan Finneran coaching the Inaugural Mens JV CIF team in 2007.

Alumni Brendan Finneran was recently featured in the March 2009 issue of Lacrosse Magazine. The article called "Siena D Man Beats Cancer" follows:

Sophomore defenseman Brendan Finneran may not scoop one ground ball this season. But he is still the most courageous player on Siena's roster.

After a three-year battle against Bone Cancer, Finneran is once again practicing with the Saints. Part of the bone in his right leg has been removed due to a tumor and replaced with Titanium.

"We've told him to simply 'do what he can do'" said head coach Brian Brecht. "It's a heck of an accomplishment"

The article can be viewed here.

Keep up the Great Work Brendan, your an inspiration to us all!

The Lady Eagles Varsity Lacrosse soars over the Great Oaks Wolf Pack on Friday night in Temecula!

Santa Margarita’s Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team played its first away game of the regular season and booked a win. While the Lady Eagles possessed the ball for the first several minutes of the game, the Wolf Pack scored the first goal at almost eight minutes into the first half off a penalty shot from a 3 second violation on the Lady Eagles.

In response to the Wolf Pack goal, Eagle defender, Junior Lauren Giudice, put her team on the scoreboard running “coast to coast” with the ball to score off a turnover. Then, the Lady Eagles attacked with Junior Wing Caitlin Viar scoring two quick goals in the next minute of the game. Junior Wing Julia Wisch was credited with an assist. The Wolf Pack answered earning a goal with ten minutes left before the half, and Viar again responded scoring after scooping a ground ball to take her team into half time up four to two.

After the half, the Lady Eagles showcased their “run and gun” skill with Freshman Wing Andi Elwell winning the ball off the draw and taking it to the goal just 23 seconds into the second half. The Great Oaks team responded earning a goal a minute later. Through the next ten minutes of play the Lady Eagles and the Wolf Pack traded three more goals each. Eagles players, Junior Erica Henson, Sophomore Brianne Richards, and Freshman Andi Elwell, all booked goals, and Wisch was credited with another assist bringing the score to eight to six Eagles with just over ten minutes left to play.

That’s when Great Oaks Wolf Pack defense began to break down allowing the Santa Margarita Ladies to penetrate and go one on one with the goalie. Viar scored “top shelf” on a wrap around shot with five minutes left. Senior Captain Cassie Mazolewski forced a turnover off and scored with four minutes left. Richards booked another wraparound goal with three minutes left, and Mazolewski added insult to injury converting a penalty shot with nearly two minutes left. While the Wolf Pack had several shots on goal in the last ten minutes of the game, Sophomore Goalie Lindsey Garn shut them out, booking a twelve to six win for the Santa Margarita Lady Eagles Varsity Lacrosse team.

The Eagles will be in action again at their next away game on St Patrick’s Day at Chadwick High School. Go Lady O’Eagles!!

By Toni Garn

Womens Varsity Wins Bracket Championship at Rosebowl Jamboree

Womens Varsity poses with Blue Bracket Championship Trophy

Congratulations to the Womens Varsity team for recording 3 victories at the Rose Bowl Jamboree Tournament on Saturday, March 7. They defeated Chadwick 8-1, Hollywood 8-2, and local rival Laguna Hills 10-6 in the Blue Bracket Championship Game.

Click Here to View Game Pictures taken by Brent Wisch in our Eagles Lacrosse Gallery.