Welcome to Loveland Lacrosse - playing the oldest team sport in America! On our website you'll get the latest news, information, schedules, game results, directions and much more. Check back frequently for the latest!

by posted 05/17/2012
 
All Loveland Lacrosse members -

Please come cheer on the Varsity Men's
Team as they continue their quest for a state title. They will play the Centerville Elks at 12pm, Saturday May 19, on the Tigerturf at LHS. As always, Loveland players wearing their uniforms/ team shirts have free admission.
Let's pack the stands, wear orange and show your pride!

Jeannie Clements,                                       
President LLC                                                
                                                       

by posted 05/12/2012
 

by posted 05/10/2012
 
FROM THE NATIONAL COLLEGE LACROSSE LEAGUE:

Congratulations to LHS Alum Joe Werner, junior attackman for Cincinnati, for scoring four goals and being named Final Four MVP for Cincinnati as it captured its first National Championship. Joe also helped lead Loveland HS to the 2008 Division II State Championship game, our first season as a Varsity Sport.
Click here to watch video of UC’s victory over George Washington (14-13) in Annapolis, MD, earlier this month. (Joe wears jersey #7.)

by posted 05/08/2012
 
We are now taking registrations for summer camps:

• FastStart Lax Camp for Beginners (Boys Mini camp, June 4-6)
• 7th Annual Loveland Lax Camp for Boys (June 11-14)

And for the first time, Loveland Lacrosse Club offers:

• Girls FastStart Lax Camp! (June 4-6)

Click on the camp titles for more details. Online registration for FastStart IS OPEN (go to "online registration" tab.)

by posted 05/07/2012
 
Every spring, the Men's Varsity captains address the MS boys' team to let them know what to expect when they get to JV and Varsity in the next few years.

by posted 05/07/2012
 

2010 LHS grad and All-American Andrew Newbold has been
named to the NEC All-Conference Team.  Andrew plays Division 1 lacrosse for the Sacred Heart University Pioneers.  This is a major accomplishment and the coaching staff is very proud of Andrew's hard work and dedication.
Congrats Andrew!

Coach Lynch
(Click here for a link to the press release.)

by posted 05/03/2012
 

by posted 03/22/2012
 
(article by Jessica Miller, pictures by Terri Wiseman)

The national youth box lacrosse spotlight shone in the Midwest on Feb 11 as Inside Lacrosse and IL Indoor.com writer Brian Shanahan was the keynote speaker at the annual Southwest Ohio Spring Lacrosse Kickoff meeting in Loveland, OH.

Timing was perfect for Shanahan’s speech to hundreds of players, parents, and coaches familiar with the field game.  In April, the first and only dedicated outdoor box lacrosse arena in the Midwest is slated for completion in Loveland.  “In 5-6 years, a lot more people will be playing box lacrosse. You guys will have the jump on them,” said Shanahan of Loveland’s plan to bring the youth box game to Ohio.

Every winter, this small suburb northeast of Cincinnati hosts an increasingly popular mid-winter meeting with the intent of getting the area’s players, parents and coaches fired up about the upcoming spring season.  The unique tradition of this event, however, has been the ability of the Loveland organization to convince some pretty big names in the world of lacrosse to travel to Cincinnati to be the featured speaker.

“This year we’re lucky to have Coach Shanahan as our featured speaker, especially since our outdoor box will be done this spring,” said Mike Cotsonas, director of the youth boys field and box lacrosse teams for Loveland.   “But we’ve worked hard over the years to make this a premier event that big name guys want to come be a part of.  Last year, Dave Pietramala from Johns Hopkins was our keynote speaker. Before that, we had Lars Tiffany from Brown, before that Onondaga Nation lacrosse historian Brad Powless, and so on.   People here look forward to this every winter because they know we’re going to bring in a pretty big name, and we try not to disappoint.”

During his talk, Shanahan’s shared 40 years of box lacrosse experience and the sport’s impact on field lacrosse to a standing-room only crowd.  He spoke of the creativity that box allows, with less coaching in box lacrosse than in field, enabling players to become more creative in plays and shots. “It’s my opinion that it’s a much easier transition from box lacrosse to field,” says Shanahan.  “To score goals in box, players have to learn to shoot accurately, to make a goalie move with fakes, and to utilize their teammates with picks, rolls and short passes. Box lacrosse players drool at the space available and the size of the nets in field lacrosse.”

A local youth coach with ties to upstate New York, Mike Cotsonas is well aware of the plusses of the box game.  “Growing up and playing high school field lacrosse at LaFayette High School, which has such a significant influence from Native players from the Onondaga Nation, I know first-hand how box skills can be a competitive edge for field players,” said Cotsonas.  “When I started coaching youth 8 years ago, I saw pretty quickly one thing lacking in local player development was exposure to box.  From then on, our group has been working to get this facility built.”

Cotsonas noted the significant amount of planning and preparation spent on the project since 2005. “Back then, there was virtually no awareness of box lacrosse even among lacrosse folks here in the Midwest.   So in 2006 I started an outdoor box summer league playing ‘virtual’ box lacrosse--box rules with box goalies and box goals, but in an open field with no walls,” he said. “It practically exploded after the first year in terms of size and popularity.  I’m pretty sure if it’s not the largest summer league in Ohio, field or box, it’s definitely one of the largest.  Every summer we host close to two dozen teams and about 200 youth players from all around the region.”

Cotsonas saw a true outdoor box facility as the next logical step in growing the game in the Midwest.   “This box will be in the tradition of the fabled outdoor box on the Onondaga Nation.  But also it’s being put up with a nod to some of the other Syracuse-area box facilities, like the ones in LaFayette, Tully, Marcellus and Shove Park,” said Cotsonas.  “We’re really excited about it. And we’re pumped Brian Shanahan from the NLL could come be a part of it.”

Shanahan wrapped up the event to a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk.  It was obvious he was the perfect choice to kick off the spring season in Southern Ohio and the right guy to prime the local pump for box lacrosse.  “Lacrosse has been really good to me; I hope to give back as much as I can.”

by posted 03/14/2012
 

by posted 01/28/2012
 

The 2012 Southwest Ohio Spring Lacrosse
Annual Kickoff Meeting

 All Programs - All Players - All Coaches Welcome

SATURDAY, FEB 11, 2012   at 11 am

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 Susanne Quigley posted 01/19/2011
 

Area lacrosse players and fans were in for a real treat at the Loveland Lacrosse Club season kick-off meeting in December. Dave Pietramala, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in lacrosse history, and now head coach for one of the best men's college teams in the country, came to deliver his message to our players.



Coach Pietramala talked about the values that drive the team (and recruitment) at Hopkins, and summarized in three points:

1. Being a champion in life, not just in a lacrosse game. Johns Hopkins looks for great human beings who are passionate about the sport. "Being a good person translates into a great team mate, and the way you treat people has greater impact than any game you'll ever play."
2. Character. The definition of character according to Pietramala is "what you do when no one's watching" (because that's when it's hard to do the right thing). A person with great character, he emphasized, is one who creates trust.
3. Passion for the sport. The lesson here is that you don't ever get really good at something unless you love it. The champions are the ones that "stay a little longer and do a little more."

Dave Pietramala is the only person to win an NCAA national championship both as a player and a coach. He's a member of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame and has been named both player and coach of the year. Those of us who came to hear him in Loveland know that he's not just a champion, but also full of passion and great character.