Minnesota Lacrosse Getting Some Love

Writers at the highest level are finally starting to give Minnesota lacrosse its due.  It's time for the north to start contributing to the growth and success of lacrosse in the state.

From Inside Lacrosse - Full Article HERE

The 2nd annual Baltimore Summer Kickoff took place this weekend at the Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md. Jon Torpey and Pat Tracey from High Point ran an excellent event with a geographically diverse group of teams which made for an exciting round two of the Baltimore Summer Kickoff.

Last weekend was mostly centered around teams from the Mid-Atlantic (mostly Maryland and Virginia), but this weekend has teams from a bevy of states. Rather than focusing on specific games throughout the day, I followed individual teams from areas that we don't usually cover. Seeing teams from Minnesota and Arizona kill it was quite satisfying, also making me realize that the talent pool is much larger than that of three or four years ago.

MINNESOTA ELITE GOLD

I enjoyed watching these guys the most, as they attracted a myriad of coaches spread out over the sideline. By watching them play, you never would guess that they were from Minnesota, as they played like they were from a hotbed.

I must say, not only were the one of the top teams at the event (if not the best), they were also the best dressed. The shorts had a sweet argyle maroon and gold pattern on the front and on the back on one side, with a large Minnesota state outline on the other.

Some serious standouts on the offensive end for the boys from 'Sota. Taylor Topousis, who will attend Deerfield Academy for a year before heading to Dartmouth, was the lynchpin at midfield. He was outstanding on wings and had superb stick skills and vision. Al Barnhart (Blake School '12) was very slick though hovering around five feet tall. He was a real speedster and a tenacious rider and embraced a ton of contact yet wasn't affected by it one bit. Attackman Andy Dines (Westminster School '12), a Delaware commit, was extremely impressive and made some dazzling plays.

On defense, Ryan Lawyer (Benilde-St. Margaret's '12) was a stud on the wings and made some great runs upfield. Lawyer was listed as a LSM but was making plays all over the field. Thomas Gilligan (Benilde-St. Margaret's '12) was a stout lefty with great size who saw the ball very well all day as the first half goalie. Very impressed with his ability to shut the door from close range.

Duluth YMCA Youth lacrosse Cancelled Today

Note from the YMCA:

Due to poor field conditions practice/games for today have been cancelled.  We hope the weather clears up for next week so we can get back on track!  Note: We will plan a make-up day for this weeks cancellations.

Check the Duluth YMCA Youth Lacrosse Facebook page for practice updates.  Also, you can call the YMCA front desk at 722.4745 ext 100 by 4:00 to hear whether or not practice will be held

US Lacrosse Study Reveals Continued Growth

From US Lacrosse

National lacrosse participation grew 10 percent in 2010 according to the annual participation survey conducted by US Lacrosse, released May 27, 2011. The US Lacrosse report found 624,593 players competed on organized teams in 2010, up 10 percent from the total of 568,021 in 2009. US Lacrosse first tracked overall lacrosse participation in 2001, when 253,931 people played on organized teams.

Youth lacrosse, categorized as players age 15 and under, accounted for the largest number of players with 324,673 competing in 2010, up 9.2 percent from 2009.

High school lacrosse also continued to boom with 255,314 players, up 12.2 percent from 2009. There are now 21 state high school athletic associations that have either formally sanctioned or recognized lacrosse. According to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the number of boys’ varsity programs has increased 55.0 percent over the last five years and the number of girls’ varsity programs has increased 48.4 percent. Both figures are the highest total among high school sports.

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Boys 5-yr
1. Lacrosse.........55%
2. Bowling.........39%
3. Volleyball......24%
4. Water Polo.....18%
5. Swimming.....16%

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Girls 5-yr
1. Lacrosse.........48%
2. Bowling.........45%
3. Ice Hockey.....30%
4. Golf................17%
5. Swimming......15%

Despite a challenging economic environment, college lacrosse also has seen an upward trend in participation. A total of 32,431 players competed on varsity and club teams in 2010, up 2.6 percent from 2009. Over the last five years, men’s and women’s college lacrosse are the fastest growing sports at the NCAA level. The number of men’s programs has increased 22.4 percent in that time span, and the number of women’s programs has increased 30.3 percent.

Growth Rates of NCAA Sports Men's 5-yr
1. Lacrosse............22%
2. Volleyball..........14%
3. Cross Country.....7%
4. Indoor Track.......6%
5. Golf/Swimming..5%

The US Lacrosse Participation Survey is produced annually by US Lacrosse. The survey is used to monitor participation at different levels of the sport across the country. The primary sources of data for this report are surveys that are sent to the 63 US Lacrosse regional chapters that were active in 2010. Data also is provided by the US Lacrosse database, the NCAA, the NFHS, the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association and the website www.laxpower.com. The survey counts only participation on organized teams and does not include leisure-time play of lacrosse.

► Download the 2010 US Lacrosse Participation Study

LACROSSE GROWTH SINCE 2001
The following numbers represent the total number of lacrosse players nationally since US
Lacrosse began tracking data in 2001.
Year Players     % 1-yr Growth
2001 253,931........... —
2002 288,104........... 13.5
2003 301,560..............4.7
2004 351,852............16.7
2005 381,568..............8.4
2006 426,022............11.7
2007 480,627............12.8
2008 524,230..............9.1
2009 568,021..............8.4
2010 624,593............10.0

Drop-In League Games Canceled Tonight

The Duluth Drop-In League pick up games have been canceled tonight due to inclement weather.  We'll play again next Tuesday (6/28) at 7:00 p.m.  Bring your gear and be ready to play!

Northern Lights Lacrosse MBSLA North All-Conference Team

In what is sure to produce some amount of controversy, the MBSLA just released their 2011 all-conference and all-state teams.  In the North Conference, Duluth was left completely off the all-conference list.  There were no Duluth players named to the 1st or 2nd team or the Honorable Mention list.  Unfortunately, the Duluth players paid for the Duluth officials, who were contacted to participate in the all-conference selection, lack of involvement.


MBSLA officials exercised due diligence in contacting team officials and setting up a conference call to select the all-conference teams.  Duluth failed to respond to any of the communications.  It's unfortunate that the players, who earned the right to be recognized on an all-conference team, were penalized due to this indifference.  An all-conference team without any players from a team that finished the season 3-1 in conference, finished with an overall record of 7-3 and clearly had some very good players simply cannot be considered as meaningful as a team fully represented by the entire conference.  Again, Duluth is clearly at fault, but it's the players who must pay unfortunately. 


In light of this situation, Northern Lights Lacrosse made an effort to name an MBSLA North all-conference team that more fairly represents the entire conference.  Of course our effort wasn't perfect just as any other effort like this that introduces subjectivity is never perfect.  We realize that our Honorable Mention list is way too large, but we did want to recognize those players that may have been bumped off the 2nd team with the addition of more players to the team.  We really didn't have great justification for bumping them off the second team and weren't familiar enough with the names already on the Honorable Mention list and wanted to be sure they were recognized for their efforts as well.


So, with the admission that nothing is perfect, here is the 2011 Northern Lights Lacrosse MBSLA North All-Conference team.  Please feel free to comment:

2011 MBSLA North All Conference
1st Team		2nd Team
Attack		Attack
Mike Whitson, Jr. - St. Cloud North		Andrew Lindmeier, So. - St. Cloud North
Zach Thompson, Sr. - Duluth		Steven Halver, Jr. - Duluth
Zach Brown, Sr. - Brainerd		Tanner Lindstrom, So. - Fargo
Mid-Field		Mid-Field
Jake Reichenbach, Sr. - Brainerd		Beau Hughes, So. - Duluth
Keith Haymaker, Sr. - Brainerd		Ian Wieczorek, Sr. - Duluth
Mike Hillman, Sr. - Duluth		Aaron Monson, Jr. - Fargo
Defense		Defense
Nate Pratt, Sr. - Duluth		Mark Torgerson, Sr. - Brainerd
Tyler Kohnen, Sr. - St. Cloud North		Justin Kremer, Jr. - St. Cloud North
Tyler Minkel, So. - St. Cloud North		John Babick, Sr. - Duluth
Long Stick Mid-Field		Long Stick Mid-Field
Matt Mensinger, Jr. - Duluth		Ben Berghuis, Sr. - Brainerd
Goalie		Goalie
Tyler Olson, Sr. - Duluth		Alex Hoalupczok, Sr. - St. Cloud North
Face-Off Mid-Field		Face-Off Mid-Field
Christian Murray, Jr. - St. Cloud North		Kristian Haymaker, Fr. - Brainerd
Honorable Mention -  Ben Dunnell (A) Grand Rapids, Brandon Kruse (A) St. Cloud North, Mitch Howieson (A) Brainerd, Cameron Waby (A) Brainerd, Henry Roningen (M) Duluth, Trevor Clark (M) Duluth, Jack Maddy (M) Duluth, Ryan Bidinger (M) St. Cloud North, Zach Peterson (M) St. Cloud North, John Kirick (M) St. Cloud North, Michael Kringle (M) Fargo, Brody Geisler (M) Grand Rapids, Ben Noah (M) Fargo, Jeremy Young (M) Brainerd, Adam Casperson (M) Brainerd, Nevada Shelton, (LSM) Duluth, Tucker Isaacson (LSM) St. Cloud North, John McGillis (D) Brainerd, Daniel Evenson (D) Fargo, Zach Brist (D) Grand Rapids, Jake North (D) Duluth, John Deelstra (D) Fargo, Zach Caldwell (D) Brainerd, Kevin Lechner (G) Brainerd, Joe Noah (G) Fargo

Best of College Lacrosse 2011 Highlight Video

The best highlight videos on the net from JL Productions.  Enjoy!

Grand Forks Area Skills Familiarization Clinic

The Grand Cities Lacrosse Club in Grand Forks will be offering skills familiarization clinics this July.  Details on the clinics below.

Grand Cities Lacrosse Club

Skills Familiarization Clinic

Looking for players that will be in 6th – 12th grade in the fall of 2011

7 - two hour sessions

Tuesdays and Thursdays

7-28 July 2011

Clinic fee:  $50

All sessions held at:

Lions Park

3211 17th Avenue South

Grand Forks, ND

Learn the skills to play lacrosse!  Clinics will be lead by University of North Dakota Men’s Lacrosse Club members.  Sometimes known as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States and is taking root in the Upper Red River Valley.  Get involved in the first youth lacrosse program in the Greater Grand Forks area!

For more information about the club or to register on-line for the familiarization clinic, please e-mail us at Grand.Cities.Lacrosse@gmail.com .  You can also check out our Facebook page, search Grand Cities Lacrosse Club.

Final MBSLA Top 10

With MontiQuois winning the MBSLA state championship, here is Northern Lights Lacrosse's final 2011 MBSLA top 10.

Final 2011 MBSLA Top 10 (regular season record in parentheses):

1.  MontiQuois (10-2) - State title win gives them the #1 position in the final rankings

2.  St. Louis Park (10-4) - Defending state champion plays big in playoffs, state runner-up and #2 in the rankings

3.  Delano (12-0) - Undefeated regular season, tough loss to St. Louis Park in the final four when it counted, won 3rd place game against Orono

4.  Orono (12-1) - Played great all season, tough 2 goal loss to MontiQuois in the final four

5.  St. Paul (8-4) - Nice regular season but lost big to MontiQuois in the playoffs

6.  Hudson (7-5) - Strong inaugural MBSLA season for Hudson, beat Brainerd big in the playoffs and then lost by only one to St. Louis Park, should make some noise next year

7.  Duluth (7-2) - Received challenging opening round playoff seed but played tough against eventual state champion MontiQuois, playing with them step for step until later in the second half, strong group of seniors leaves, will require some rebuilding for next season

8.  St. Cloud North (5-3) - Win in the playoffs against Sibley and loss to Orono, North posted a solid season in 2011 and should be the team to beat in the North in 2012

9. White Bear Lake (6-7)  - Win over Shakopee in the playoffs and loss to Delano

10. Shattuck-St. Mary's (4-0) - Not able to participate in the playoffs, Shattuck-St. Mary's still beat state runner-up St. Louis Park 12-8 and didn't lose a game

Honorable Mention:  Tartan (6-5), Hastings (5-7) and Brainerd (5-8)

Final MN Lax Hub Rankings:

R	Team	Rec.
1	Delano	12-0
2	Orono	12-1
3	MontiQuois	11-2
4	St. Louis P.	13-4
5	St. Paul	8-4

Honorable Mention

	Hudson	8-5
	Duluth	7-3
	St. Cloud North	5-3
	White Bear Lake	6-7

MontiQuois is 2011 MBSLA State Champion

MontiQuois' Thomas Bales works against St. Louis Park

MontiQuois defeated defending state champion St. Louis Park 13-6 on Saturday night.  St. Louis Park was playing in its 4th straight title game.  The state championship was the first for MontiQuois, the Monticello-based team that started its boys lacrosse program in 2003.  MontiQuois got to the game by defeating Orono 10-8 on Thursday night.  St. Louis Park defeated previously undefeated Delano to earn their spot in the championship game.  State champion MontiQuois knocked Duluth out of the playoffs in the first round with an 8-3 win in Duluth.

Junior attackman Cody Lamm and senior midfielder Evan Hesse each scored four goals for MontiQuois, which erupted for nine unanswered goals on its way to a 13-6 triumph over St. Louis Park.

The first quarter ended in a 3-3 tie, but the rest of the game – aside from the closing few minutes – belonged to MontiQuois.

Senior midfielder Evan Hesse scored with 5 minutes, 11 seconds left in the second quarter to put MontiQuois ahead 4-3, and the scoring outburst ended when Lamm scored with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter. Lamm’s goal put MontiQuois ahead 12-3 and all but put the game out of reach.

Delano defeated Orono 7-6 in the third place game.  In the MSHSL boys state championship, Benilde-St. Margarets beat Eden Prairie 9-3 and in the girls MSHSL state championship game, Blake defeated Eden Prairie 11-9.

Duluth Drop-In Lacrosse League Starts Tuesday!

The Duluth Drop-In Lacrosse League (DDLL) is slated to begin next Tuesday night June 14.  The league is pick-up game format and welcome to all adults and high school players interested in playing lacrosse.  Experienced middle school players are also welcome to attend.  Attempts will be made to match players of similar age in games.  It is the hope of the league that enough younger players show up that separate games for younger players can be played.  There is also the possibility of having younger players play on a different night, possibly Thursday night after the YMCA youth league games. 

The goal will be to try to provide lacrosse opportunities in Duluth for middle school and high school players during their off-season, college players looking to play some fun, relaxed lacrosse, and adults who love the game and just want to play.  The game format will be "no checking" with stick checking allowed.  This will help accommodate varying age groups and ensure that the games remain more relaxed and fun with players working on their fundamental skills.  Participants may see college players from UMD, Chargers varsity players, former high school and college players and bald "old men" trying to rekindle long lost lacrosse skills and passion.  If you love to play lacrosse or you played at one time and you really want to dust off your old stick, come on out and join the DDLL on Tuesday nights this summer!

Dates:   Every Tuesday night starting June 14 until August 2

Time:   7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (or dark)

Location:   Lowell Elementary School soccer field (located up the hill from Lowell Elementary School)

Open to:   People who love lacrosse – adult and high school Level. Middle school players welcome (may play on a Thursday night if enough interest)

Format:   Pick-up game format

Rules:     No checking, only stick checking allowed, NFHS Rules apply, “call your own foul” format (only person being penalized may make the call, no arguing calls), players agree on other rules, two goalies required or use goal stops or tip goals on end

Equipment:   Full equipment recommended, helmet and gloves required (all players must wear helmet and gloves, no exceptions), wear a reversible pinnie if possible

Questions?   Contact Andy at trailrunners@gmail.com or 218-340-6170

Instructional Video of the Week: Dodging from the Attack Position

First Night of YMCA Youth Lacrosse Has Good Turnout

The Duluth YMCA Youth lacrosse league held its first practice last night and had an enthusiastic bunch of kids playing lacrosse, most for the first time. Coach Sam Litman, the Defensive Coordinator for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs lacrosse team, led the practice with three of his Bulldog players to assist him.  The level of instruction for the youth in the Duluth YMCA league is top notch.

The Duluth YMCA Youth Lacrosse League, in its third season, is open to kids in grades 3 through 6. The league runs every Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. until August 2.  The first two weeks will be instruction with games starting on the third week. All practices and  games are held on the soccer field above Lowell Elementary School.

Kids interested in playing can still sign up.  Contact the YMCA or register online on the YMCA REGISTRATION PAGE  It's not too late!  Come on out and join the fun of youth lacrosse!