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by posted 01/22/2012
 
LOVELAND HS LACROSSE RECRUIT UPDATE:    

Senior Standout Kody Griffin Commits to Mt Union College (DIII)

Loveland High School senior lacrosse standout Kody Griffin decided to change direction as a high school sophomore, picking up a longpole and switching to defense.  It has worked out well for Kody as the senior defenseman for the Division I Tigers recently committed to the play for Coach P.J. Kavanagh at the University of Mt. Union (NCAA DIII) in Ohio.

“Ever since I started playing lacrosse, I’ve loved it”, Griffin said.  “The amount of excitement I have to play at the next level is unbelievable.  It’s something that was never on my mind when I started playing.  That just goes to show you how fun lacrosse is”.  
Griffin had his choice of colleges, choosing between Havover College, Shenandoah University, Carthage College, and Mt. Union.   

“I chose the University of Mt. Union because they have an outstanding campus and academics.  Coach Kavanaugh really knows what he’s doing. And the facilities at Mt. Union are phenomenal,” Griffin said. ‘It’s a fantastic school.  They have a 60% all-sports combined winning percentage, and that’s the kind of environment I want to be around and be part of”. 

Heading into his senior season, Griffin reflected on his success as an integral part of the Tigers defensive core. 

“I’m sad to leave the Tigers, but I’m anxious and excited to take my game to the next level”, Griffin said. “I started my freshman year not having any idea what I would do, and now I’m committing to a DIII school.  The environment the Loveland coaches and players provided allowed me to excel to a tremendous level.  Because of them, I’ve made it this far.”  

A two-sport athlete, Griffin has earned varsity letters in both lacrosse and football.  In 2011, Griffin scooped 79 groundballs for an average of 4.2 per game.  One in a long line of offensive-minded defenseman that’s a hallmark of Loveland’s style, Griffin is not afraid to use his athleticism to push the ball up the field. Coached by Mark Lynch, Griffin was chosen varsity captain as a junior and earned Honorable Mention All-Region.  Off the field, Griffin also excels in the classroom, carrying a 3.6 GPA and has been recognized for his academics with High Honor Roll.

“Kody is a great athlete who was often assigned to cover our opponent’s top offensive player,” Coach Lynch said.  “He’s only scratched the surface of his potential, and we believe he’ll do great things on the field and in the classroom at Mt. Union.”
Kody Griffin will now prepare himself for his final season with the Tigers and his future with the Mt Union Purple Raiders.

by posted 01/13/2012
 

LM MCLA Division II Preseason Player of the Year: Matt Dowd
Dayton Defensive Star Finding His Voice

by | LaxMagazine.com | Coyne Archive| Twitter

It took an ugly game, but the light bulb finally went off for Dayton long pole Matt Dowd last year. In the midst of a 21-13 regular-season thrashing at the hands of Grand Valley State, the No. 1 team in the country, Lakers superstar attackman Cam Holding managed to hang an 11-spot on Dowd and the Flyers. It was then that Dowd understood that more is not always better.

"I always tried to use my athleticism to try to jump the ball early or cut my guy off," admitted Dowd. "Cam's an incredible athlete, so I'd try those things and I'd just lose one step on him. Usually, I can catch back up with attackmen, but with Cam, that wasn't the case."

Dowd used the humbling experience to alter the way he approached all the top scorers he faced during the rest of the season, including in the national tournament. It culminated in the semifinals, when he was locked onto St. Thomas' Joe Costello– the best player in the history of MCLA-II – and forced the Tommies' staff to make the drastic choice of moving Costello to midfield where he could better avoid seeing Dayton's top pole.

"They ran an offense that made it hard for us to switch Matt back," said Dayton coach Charlie Mark. "I've got to give [St. Thomas head coach] Pete Moosbrugger credit, because he knew we wanted to switch and put Matt back on Costello."
Dayton fell short of the championship game in a 12-11 loss, but Dowd has cemented himself as the best defender in the division.

"Matt's going to be there whenever you make a mistake," said Mark. "You think you have a nice, wide-open lane for the pass, and he picks it off. If the ball is on the ground, he owns it. If your stick is out of position, he is very patient and when he checks, almost all the time he gets stick."

In addition to stalking his opponents as opposed to trying to overwhelm them, Dowd has found his voice.

"In the past, in high school and a little bit at the start of college, I've been quiet, but you can't really do that," said Dowd. "Coach Mark has reinforced communication on defense. It kind of clicked that I was one of the leaders on the team and I really needed to start calling out where the offense was running, and that has paid dividends for me as a player, and the defense in general."

"I was the most proud of him last year when he instigated conversation, not just talk," said Mark. "That was showing leadership with the other defenders and middies. Matt essentially took over."

While the Dayton defense is stacked this spring with the likes of seniors Tim Griffith and Austin Birner, Dowd should have another familiar face on the backline – his younger brother, Andrew, who transferred in from Otterbein (Ohio). "They have a wonderful relationship," said Mark. "Andrew is loud, tough and smacks guys around. Matt is humble, ethical and polite."

Polite isn't always the best attribute to have in your top pole, but the humility has already paid off. No longer is Dowd trying to do too much. He's just forcing opponents to change the way they approach Dayton.

by Susanne Quigley posted 01/01/2012
 
Melissa Polak, Youth & Middle School Girls

Coach Polak came to Loveland from lacrosse country in the North East, where she was involved with the sport as a volunteer, association board member, director, and coach for many years.
 
She’s certified as a girls’ youth referee, US Lacrosse Level One coach, and in addition, she's “Positive Coaching Alliance" certified. Coach Polak brings great talent and experience to the Loveland Lacrosse Club in general, and specifically for the girls’ high school feeder program. She has been Director of the Girls’ Youth program since the fall of 2010.


Michael Cotsonas, Youth & Middle School Boys

Michael Cotsonas is the director for the Loveland Youth & Middle School boys’ lacrosse and the Loveland Box Lacrosse programs.  A  program since 2004, the small community of Loveland now boasts the largest youth & middle school boys’ lacrosse program in Southern Ohio.  The Loveland Box Lacrosse program is also the biggest outdoor box league in the Midwest, featuring hundreds of players from over a dozen different programs and 15+ teams across Ohio.
Involved in teaching youth lacrosse since 2005, Coach Cotsonas played high school ball at national power Lafayette HS (Syracuse) and collegiately at Division III Oswego State University of New York. Post-collegiately he has stayed active playing in various box and field lacrosse leagues in LaFayette, Tully, Syracuse, Minnesota, and is a former a captain of the Cincinnati Men’s Club Team.
 
Check out the bios of all Loveland Head Coaches on the "2012 Coaches" page under the home tab. You'll also find a listing of assistant coaches.

by Coach Przezdziecki posted 01/01/2012
 

Coach Przezdziecki's advice to Middle School players
(this applies to players at all levels!)


Moving at the speed of lacrosse...

 

1.  Lacrosse is a Running Game.  Get in Shape, stay in Shape!  We will devote lots of practice time, especially early in the season, on conditioning.  Get in shape and stay in shape.  Make sure you stay active on the weekends and over Spring Break.
 
2.  Work hard at every practice and in every drill.  Run hard in practice and the coaches will notice you.  If you walk during practice the coaches will also notice you!  
 
3.  Good and Bad Attitude Gets Noticed!   Good attitude leads to more playing time!!  Great players with bad attitudes don't play as much as OK players with great attitudes.
 
4. Switch Hands!  If you still aren't confident with your opposite hand, get comfortable.  If you harbor any dreams of one day playing on the varsity lacrosse team, or even playing in College (and it can happen!) you need to be serious about switching hands.   

5. Spend time outside of team practice working on your stick skills!  Find a brick wall and work on your right and left hand passing and catching.  Now is the time to get confident passing and catching.  In High School it will be too late! 

Check out the "Wall Ball Practice" on the "Practice Tips" page! (left sidebar of home page)
 

6. Learn to Play Team Lacrosse!  Be aware of where you are on the field.  Lacrosse is a team sport with 10 players on the field.  A team that can pass the ball well will always be competitive.

7. If you can only be good at one thing, it needs to be playing good defense!  Learn to play good position defense.  

8. Have fun.  In the end, this is just a game!   Same message to the parents.

 
 

by posted 11/18/2011
 
November 18, 2011

Welcome Loveland Community Lacrosse Players and Parents,
 
The Loveland Lacrosse Board has been very busy preparing for our upcoming 2012 season! We will once again offer many opportunities for all players to participate.  We hope all our members continue to develop as lacrosse players, while we continue to instill core values through the sport of lacrosse that each player will use for a lifetime.
 
This is a very exciting time for the game of lacrosse in Southwest Ohio - the sport is growing at a tremendous rate! I am humbled and honored to be part of this growth as your new President. I look forward to meeting many new people and working together to continue to grow the sport, as well as Loveland Lacrosse!
 
Thank you for choosing to play with us!
 
Jeannie Clements
LLC President

by Susanne Quigley posted 08/02/2011