Calvert Hall 2010 graduate Rob Zoppo (Towson), Gilman 2011 grad Ryan Tucker (Virginia), and Calvert Hall rising junior Stephen Kelly earned spots on the 23-man roster for the U.S. men’s national under-19 team that will compete in the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 Men’s World Championships in Turku, Finland next summer.

The team was chosen by a player selection committee following a four-day tryout at UMBC last week in which 123 candidates challenged for positions.

Along with coach Tim Flynn and assistants Jack Crawford (Loyola), Tom Duquette and Tom Rotanz, the committee consisted of 20 coaches from 15 different states.

Players from eight states made the team.

The entire roster:

Continue reading "Area lacrosse standouts make U.S. under-19 men's roster" »

Posted by Glenn Graham at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

Boys' Latin rising junior Ben Pridemore, who started at midfield for the Lakers as a sophomore this spring, has made a commitment to play at Notre Dame.

Pridemore, who maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is a Williams Scholar at Boys' Latin, also considered Virginia, Harvard, Princeton and Duke.

He was named an Under Armour Underclassmen All-American and will play for the Baltimore team in this weekend's event.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

The fourth annual National Lacrosse Classic will take place July 6-8 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds.

The National Lacrosse Classic, presented by Brine, Gatorade and Lacrosse.com, brings together the top high school underclassman lacrosse players in the country to one venue, where regional teams compete to become the U.S. champion. Players are selected to regional teams from tryouts scheduled throughout the country.

Seventeen cities including Baltimore, served as hosts for players trying out for their respective regional teams. Cities include: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Princeton (N.J.), Philadelphia, Lancaster (Pa.), Long Island (N.Y), St. Louis, Boston, Rochester (N.Y.), Washington D.C., Atlanta, Charlotte and Tampa.

Sixty-six players, boys and girls, who attend public and private schools in Maryland have been selected from a large pool of talent to compete at the National Lacrosse Classic.

The Maryland teams will be coached by Rick Brocato (St. Paul’s School, 2010 MIAA-A Champions), Andrew “Buggs” Combs (MLL professional), Bill Zopp (Baltimore Lutheran, 2009-10-11 MIAA C Champions), Matt Parks (Fallston), Jason Bellamy (Patterson Mill), Craig Campbell (Pikesville, 3-time Maryland State Champions) and Carin Peterson (Severna Park).

SCHOOL PLAYER POS CITY
Annapolis Area Christian Steven Anderson M Crownsville
Archbishop Spalding Sabrina Davis M Crownsville
Archbishop Spalding Emily Eckert D Catonsville
Archbishop Spalding Neil Donahue M Gambrills
Arundel High School Tyler Young M Crofton
Bel Air High School Carson Kalama A Bel Air
Broadneck James Dunn D Arnold
Bryn Mawr Caroline Joy M Owings Mills
Calvert Hall Patrick Carotenuto A Towson
Calvert Hall Kevin Diehl M Towson
Calvert Hall David McBrien M Bel Air
Calvert Hall Tyler Roop D White Hall
Calvert Hall Joel Linkous M Jarrettsville
Chesapeake (AAC) Jason Crane D Pasadena
Dulaney Kelsie Swanson M Hunt Valley
Fallston Sean Lewns D Fallston
Fallston Courtney Laubach M Fallston
Fallston Samantha Nolan A Fallston
Fallston Jason Lawrence M Fallston
Fallston Caleb Abney G Forest Hill
Fallston Zack Esser D Forest Hill
Fallston Katie Lazzeri D Fallston
Garrison Forest Julie LeGar D Eldersburg
Gilman Riley DeSmit M Baltimore
Gilman Bryan Moore G Lutherville
Glenelg Mark Darden M Dayton
Glenelg Nicholas Wynne A Sykesville
Glenelg Anthony Pagnotta M Woodbine
Glenelg Glenn Lucas M Woodbine
Hereford Ted Demiris M Parkton
John Carroll Emily Etkins A Havre de Grace
Kent Island Brady Dove M Stevensville
Landon Robby Dunigan M Kensington
Leonardtown Conor Duffy D Leonardtown
Loch Raven Jack Voelker M Towson
Loyola Gerarde Clothier D Glyndon
Marriotts Ridge Margaret Brooks M Ellicott City
Maryvale Prep Caroline Federico G Towson
Maryvale Prep Amanda Bochniak A Fallston
McDonogh Benjamin Falcone G Baltimore
McDonogh Evan Frederick D Reisterstown
McDonogh Anne Smith M Elkridge
Mercy Jaimie Adelsberger D Kingsville
Mount Hebron Haley Sutton M Ellicott City
Mount Hebron Madison Fisher G Ellicott City
Mt. St. Joseph Alec Zeliff D Eldersburg
Notre Dame Prep Elizabeth Haus M Lutherville
Parkville Olivia Bowman A Baltimore
Patterson Mill Jay Kuhn G Bel Air
Patterson Mill Tony Roney D Bel Air
Queen Anne County JT Thompson A Queenstown
Queen Anne County Jessica Crew A Sudlersville
Richard Montgomery Calum McClelland D Washington Grove
Severn Mark Cohen M Arnold
Severna Park Dash Ferguson M Severna Park
Severna Park Jeanne Angeles A Severna Park
St Johns Joseph Oliver A Gaithersburg
St. Mary's Annapolis Taylor Morse M Arnold
St. Pauls School Greg Louzan A Ellicott City
St. Pauls School Michael Mayer D Elkridge
St. Pauls School Ben Linkous A Jarrettsville
St. Pauls School for Girls Amanda Sutor A Phoenix
Urbana Mike Lowe D Monrovia
Urbana Scott Carpenter M Urbana
Winters Mill Spenser Love A Westminster
Wootton Max Romm A Rockville

The National Lacrosse Classic is open to the public.

For event details and registration, visit www.nationallacrosseclassic.com.

###

Posted by Sandra McKee at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse, Girls lacrosse
        

The Baltimore County lacrosse championships will take place Saturday at Franklin High with the girls game -- Dulaney vs. Catonsville -- set for 3 p.m. followed by the boys game -- No. 8 Hereford vs. Dulaney -- at 5 p.m.

During the regular season, the No. 14 Dulaney girls came away with a 17-7 win over Catonsville and the Hereford boys claimed a 9-2 win over Dulaney.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

Last week, former Fallston boys lacrosse standout Ryan Strasdauskas, a 2009 grad, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after feeling ill while on campus at Maryland.

For the remainder of the season, the Cougars will wear a No. 33 sticker on their helmets to support the former four-year varsity letterman.

Visit caringbridge.org to follow Ryan's progress. The site also provides a guestbook feature to send messages to Ryan and his family.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

Lacrosse fans can vote for the Reebok High School Player of the Year Award. The award will be given annually to the top boys and girls high school lacrosse player, as selected by online balloting at Laxgator.com.

Fans can cast their vote for pre-selected nominees as well as write-in nominees at Laxgator.com. The current list features some of the best young players in the country, including nine of the 11 Maryland players from the Baltimore metro area.

Voting will be open until June 1, after which the winners will be announced on Laxgator.com. Here's a look at the 11 players from Maryland:

BOYS
• Jay Carlson, St. Paul's, Sr., attack – Committed to Maryland
• Jeff Chase, Boys' Latin, Sr., midfield – Committed to Loyola
• Bobby Gribbin, Georgetown Prep, Sr., midfield – Committed to Penn State
• Wells Stanwick, Boys' Latin, Sr., attack – Committed to Johns Hopkins
• Ryan Tucker. Gilman, Sr., midfield – Committed to Virginia

GIRLS
• Alyssa Blevins, C. Milton Wright, Sr., defender -- Committed to UMBC
• Jennifer Cook, McDonogh, Sr., attack – Committed to Maryland
• Dani Lazo, St. Mary's, Sr., midfield – Committed to Louisville
• Erin McMunn, Winters Mill, Sr., attack – Committed to Princeton
• Brigid Smith, Good Counsel, Sr., attack – Committed to Duke
• Covie Stanwick, Notre Dame Prep, Sr., attack – Committed to Boston College

Posted by Glenn Graham at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Boys lacrosse, Girls lacrosse
        

In my first two seasons covering Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference boys lacrosse, there was always a team or two clearly to beat right from the start.

Two years ago, it was Gilman's stacked senior roster. Last year, Boys' Latin and eventual league champ St. Paul's were a slight notch above the rest.

This season? It's anybody's guess.

In the second week of league play, it's already clear that there are a handful of strong teams that could easily end up holding the big trophy by season's end. Last week made the front end of the area's Top 15 poll a milkshake.

St. Mary's was most responsible, beating then-No. 1 Boys" Latin and then-No. 3 Gilman to move from No. 6 to No. 1. Calvert Hall, young but overwhelmingly talented, showed it could stack up with the best with a win over defending league champ and then-No. 2 St. Paul's, which also lost to emerging McDonogh.

The stunner came on Friday when Severn surprised then-No. 8 Loyola, knocking the Dons out of the poll. Tuesday's games this week thickened the plot with St. Paul's getting a huge win at St. Mary's to hand the Saints their first loss. Loyola found answers with an upset win over Gilman.

Every team has strengths and weaknesses. Most every game will be there for the taking. To be continued ...

Here's a look at the current standings:

MIAA A Black Division

Overall League
Calvert Hall 7-0 3-0
McDonogh 7-1 3-0
St. Paul's 6-3 2-2
Loyola 5-3 1-2
Severn 6-5 1-3

MIAA A Red Division

St. Mary's 7-1 3-1
Boys' Latin 5-2 2-1
Gilman 3-3 1-2
Arch. Spalding 2-4 1-2
Mount St. Joseph 1-5 0-4

Posted by Glenn Graham at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

McDonogh senior defenseman Joe Meurer was the recipient of the C. Markland Kelly Award, which recognizes the top boys lacrosse player in the state.

Meurer, who is set to play at Ohio State next year, was a dominating presence on defense for the Eagles, who advanced to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference semifinals. He finished the season with 104 ground balls and also contributed five goals and two assists.

Meurer also has been named to the All-Tewaaraton Team and is an Under Armour and U.S. Lacrosse All-American.

"He's just worked extremely hard in the weight room and with his stick skills to become a dynamic lacrosse player. He always impacts the game and is highly respected not only in our league, but the entire country," McDonogh coach Andy Hilgartner said.

Meurer was named the Kelly Award winner at the annual dinner Sunday night in Annapolis.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

Under Armour, in conjunction with Corrigan Sports Enterprises, announced the rosters for the fifth annual Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic, which showcases the top high school senior lacrosse players in the country. The North vs. South Classic will take place July 3 at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium with the girls game set for 5:30 p.m. followed by the boys at 8.

Here's a look at the area players who will be competing for the Boys South Team as the take on the best from the North:

Rustin Bryant, Hereford, attack
Emmett Cahill, Loyola, defense
Brian Cooper, Archbishop Spalding, midfield
Greg Dutton, Calvert Hall, goalie
Patrick Foster, Boys' Latin, attack
R.G. Keenan, Boys' Latin, midfield
Jimmy Marlatt, River Hill, midfield
Mark McNeill, St. Mary's, midfield
Joe Meurer, McDonogh, defense
Pat Powderly, St. Paul's, attack
Tony Rossi, Calvert Hall, midfield

Posted by Glenn Graham at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

The regular season of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference is in its final day and plenty remains on the line with one of the six playoffs spots still available along with plenty of jockeying for final seedings.

In the Black Division, St. Paul's (12-4 overall, 9-2 in league play) and McDonogh (14-5, 8-4) are assured playoff spots with Loyola (13-4, 8-4) having the advantage over Calvert Hall (9-5, 7-5) for the last playoff spot. Loyola qualifies with either a win at St. Paul's or a Calvert Hall loss against visiting McDonogh today.

The top seed remains up for grabs with one league game separating the current top three teams.

The Red Division is much more clear with No. 1 Boys' Latin (14-3, 10-2) already locked into first place in the division and a guaranteed bye in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs set for Friday. St. Mary's (10-7) and Spalding (9-9) are both 6-6 in league play and assured playoff spots. The Saints close out the season at Severn with Spalding playing host to Gilman.

Should the teams end the season with the same league record, a coin flip would determine which finishes second and third. All games are set for 4 p.m.

The playoffs will begin with Friday's quarterfinal round with the second seed from each division playing host to the third seed in the other division. The semifinals will take place on Tuesday with Towson University hosting the championship game set for Saturday, May 22 at 8 p.m.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse
        

Lacrosse continues to gain popularity in Baltimore City and one of the important starting points is the Parks & People Foundation’s Baltimore Middle School Lacrosse League. On Sunday afternoon, the BMSLL will kick off its spring season with a skills clinic taking place at the Baltimore City Public Safety Training Center (formerly Pimlico Middle School) located at 3500 Northern Parkway from 1 to 3 p.m.

The league, which will open its season April 14, has grown from six teams last year to 10 with 150 middle school players expected to participate.

On Sunday, Baltimore City Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld III will make opening remarks and National Lacrosse Hall of Famer Tom Marechek will conduct a shooting exhibition.

Players and coaches from some of Baltimore’s best high school teams -- Calvert Hall, McDonogh, Gilman, St. Paul, Boys Latin, Forest Park, Edmonson, Carver, Northwestern and Walbrook -- will also be at the clinic to work with the middle school players.

The league’s current participating schools include: Dickey Hill, Bluford Drew, Jemison East and West, Franklin Square, Kipp Ujima, Cross Country, Francis Scott Key, Booker T. Washington, Calverton and Roland Park.

“We want to bring this great sport to schools that could never afford it otherwise and hopefully impact families and communities through the players’ participation,” Commissioner Bealefeld said.

Members of the Baltimore police department will provide mentoring and assist with coaching and recruiting for the expanded league with the goal of improving the relationship between the Police Department and the teams’ communities.

The Parks & People Foundation has run the lacrosse league since 2000, serving over 1,000 young people, many of whom would never have had the opportunity to play lacrosse without the BMSLL.

“Our hope is to expand the Parks & People league from 10 teams to 24 teams in the next three years,” said Parks & People Director of Youth Programs Monica Logan.

Ongoing funding for the BMSLL is provided by the US Lacrosse Foundation. The Foundation founded the league almost 20 years ago and remains its biggest supporter .

For more information on the Parks & People Foundation’s sports programs, click here or call (410) 448-5663.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys lacrosse