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Boys Fall Lacrosse
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR OUR 2011 BOYS FALL LACROSSE PROGRAM!!!
The 2011 Missoula Elite Lacrosse Fall Program is kicking off with a brand new format that is sure to provide a quality environment for skill development and growth on the lacrosse field. Each session is uniquely formatted to keep things moving this off-season, and each week will be a new experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to suit up this fall!
SCHEDULE:
Sept 4th – Session I – Orientation, Skill Assessment, Position Specific Instruction
Sept 11th – Session II – Team Play, Stars and Stripes Scrimmage
Sept 18th – Session III – Transition Play, Mini-Goal Tournament
Sept 25th – Session IV – Advanced Play, Alumni Scrimmage
*Oct 2nd – Bonus Session – @ Dornblaser Fields
*ALL SESSIONS WILL BE HELD AT MEADOW HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL*
- Youth Boys (1st – 4th) & Middle School Boys (5th-8th) meet from 3-5 PM
- High School Boys (9th-12th) meet from 5-7 PM
*HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WILL ALSO PLAY 2 BONUS SCRIMMAGES ON OCTOBER 8th & 9th (1 per day)!!!
**REGISTER AT MAULER’S HOCKEY CENTRAL or email Coach Flynn at kevin@missoulaelite.com**
ZooTownShowDown Preview:UPDATED
*UPDATED ON 7/22 AT 9:00 PM*
The 2011 ZooTownShowDown kicks off this Saturday, July 23rd, at the DeSmet School in Missoula (located at 6355 Padre Ln., near the Airport). The event is the first of its kind in this region. The unique 8 v 8 format and smaller field size should lead to a lot of exciting play, and with 3 divisions there will be action running all day long. The event will conclude with the Mens Division All-Star Game, which will begin at 6:15 PM. All are welcome to come out and enjoy some great summer lacrosse! Admission is free!
MENS DIVISION PREVIEW:
Team O.G. (Missoula, MT) – This squad will almost exclusively feature former Griz Lacrosse players. It’s looking like there will be up to 7 former PNCLL All-Conference players on this team, highlighted by All-Americans Townsend Hall and Tucker Sargent. Look for all of these former Grizzlies to push the cage, switch positions, jog not run, and generally enjoy themselves out on the field.
Old Mel (Missoula, MT) – Old Mel is comprised of Missoula Elite Lacrosse Alumni and will be the youngest team (also the fastest team) in the Mens Division. The team is led defensively by former MEL Captain Joel Colbert. Offensively the team will be led by Matt Gosselin (Montana State) and Coty Becker, along with a pair of the starting midfielders from last spring’s State Champion Sentinel Spartan squad – Leroy Bearmedicine and Mike Boland.
406Lax (Montana) – 406Lax is traditionally made up of mostly Missoula Mens Lacrosse League players. The unit competing in the ZooTownShowDow is anchored in goal by Blake Wharlich, director of the Billings Scorpion youth team. Youth coaches James Moore (Billings), Eric Hanson (Whitefish), Matt Padgham (Whitefish), and Mac Kelly (Missoula) make up a good chunk of this team. Evan “Ghost” Gimple will be leading the attack, so watch out for the trickery…
Victorious Secret (Spokane, WA) – Little is known about this newly formed squad out of the Spokane/CDA region. The team is organized by current Washington State Coach Nick Lyon, so expect a few Cougars on the roster. So far, they are quiet on what their Victorious Secret is… Other than that, this squad features players living in the Spokane/CDA area and will be a good mix of talent.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION PREVIEW:
Missoula Elite (Missoula, MT) – MEL has assembled a talented squad for the ZooTownShowDown, including 6 All-State players from 2011. Defenders David Anderson (Frenchtown), Al Plant (Arlee), and Derrek Nazelrod (Loyola) are all imposing forces on the field and each capable of pushing transition. Midfielders Tanner Pace (Big Sky) and Dan LaFranier (Polson) will guide the offense for this team. *MEL will also be joined by other “Free Agents” from across the state, including All-State players Kyler Johnson (Flathead) and David Rizzolo (Flathead).*
Hellgate Knights (Missoula, MT) – The Hellgate Knights roll into the ZooTownShowDown fresh off a 10-1 spring season that ended in overtime at the State Championships. The Knights are playing with a chip on their shoulders and will be joined by a number of rising freshman that look to contribute at both ends of the field. This team has great depth at the midfield with 1st Team All-State players Spencer Schultz (JR) and Griffin Williams (JR), along with Logan Kuhn (JR) and newcomer Robert Rowe (FR). Jack Lundin (SR), Dalton Mielke (JR) and Bo Kendall (FR) will lead the attack and the Knights will look to Hudson Therriault (FR) to anchor the defense from the goaltender position.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION PREVIEW:
There will be 3 teams in the Middle School Division: Missoula Elite, the Spokane Thundercats, and Billings Scorpions (who will be joined by several 10sticks Lacrosse players). All the middle school teams are here to have fun! Our motto is there are no individuals and stats don’t matter!
SCHEDULE:
FIELD 1 FIELD 2
9:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Billings vs. MEL (MS)
10:00 AM – 406Lax vs. O.G. (Mens) 10:00 AM – Victorious vs. Old Mel (Mens)
11:00 AM – Hellgate vs. MEL (HS) 11:00 AM – Billings vs. Spokane (MS)
12:00 PM – O.G. vs. Old Mel (Mens) 12:oo PM – Victorious vs. 406Lax (Mens)
1:00 PM – Hellgate vs. MEL (HS) 1:00 PM – Spokane vs. MEL (MS)
2:00 PM – O.G. vs. Victorious (Mens) 2:00 PM – 406Lax vs. Old Mel (Mens)
3:00 PM – Hellgate vs. MEL (HS) 3:00 PM – Billings vs. Spokane (MS)
4:00 PM – Mens Consolation 4:00 PM – Spokane vs. MEL (MS)
5:00 PM – Mens Championship
6:15 PM – Mens All-Star Game
Hellgate vs. Big Sky Preview
VS. 
On Sunday, March 27th, the Hellgate Knights Boys Lacrosse Team will host the first ever intra-high school lacrosse game in Montana’s history when they take on the Big Sky Eagles. The game will be played at Dornblaser Field at 3 PM, following The University of Montana Griz Lacrosse home game against the Western Washington Vikings.
The Knights will be led by team captains Jack Lundin (JR) and Spencer Schultz (SO). Both players have logged extensive miles and gained valuable experiences in the past two years, which they will look to utilize in their new roles as team leaders. Logan Kuhn (SO) will make his first start as a goalie and will anchor the defense. He will be aided by defenders Lee Raunig (SO), Jed Diehl (SO), and Felipe Perez III (JR). The attack unit will feature Lundin, Connor Skiftun (SO), and Dalton Mielke (SO), with Kieran Hubber (JR) and Ezekiel Peterson (FR) coming off the bench. Midfielders Griffin Williams (SO) and Josh Harrison (JR) will join Schultz and Hubber, all of whom will play significant time. The team is young and eager to set a high standard for lacrosse at Hellgate High School. The Knights are coached by Kevin Flynn.
The Big Sky Eagles will be led on the field in 2011 by team captains Hunter Brandt (JR) and Zane Nicholson (JR). Brandt will quarterback the offense while Nicholson will anchor the defense. Goaltender Nick Grimm (SO) will be in between the pipes for the Eagles and defenders Wilson Smith (JR) and David Anderson (SO, Frenchtown) will join Nicholson to round out the defensive unit. Blue Hayler (SO), Cameron Klise (JR), and Wes Rigler (SO, Frenchtown) will see time at attack with Brandt, each rotating between there and the midfield. Brylan Larson (JR) and Tanner Pace (JR) will face-off and work between the lines. They will be joined by Coty Becker (SR, Valley Christian) and the rotating attack group to round out the midfield. The Eagles are hungry for action and excited to represent their school on the lacrosse field this spring. The Eagles are coached by John Callon.
Both teams would like to invite everybody out to Dornblaser this Sunday to be a part of this historic event, so spread the word! Admission is FREE and fun is sure to be had by all!
For more information about High School Boys Lacrosse in Montana, stay tuned to www.missoulaelite.com
Cavalier Invitational Preview
On Friday, March 11th, the Missoula Elite Lacrosse High School Boys White & Black Teams will be on the road for a series of weekend games at the 2011 Cavalier Invitational. The tournament is hosted by the North County Cavaliers and is held in Bellingham, Washington, at Whatcom Community College. This will be the first test for two young Missoula teams and the weekend is sure to bring some great action!
The bus takes off at noon on Friday from Missoula and marks the official start of competition for Missoula Elite Lacrosse in 2011. On the way to Bellingham, on Friday, the teams will be stopping outside Seattle to watch a top level MCLA-D2 match up between Western Washington University and St. John’s University.
Games kick off on Saturday at 9 AM when the White Team takes on Skagit Valley, who finished 3-10 last year in Washington’s Division II. The Black Team plays next at 12 PM against a young team from Washington’s Division I, the Lake Tapps Titans. Following each team’s first game, the boys will all head over to Western Washington University to watch the Vikings take on Pacific Lutheran in an MCLA-D2 match up. After the game the boys will tour the WWU campus. The next game on Saturday is at 6 PM when the White Team takes on the Wenatchee Panthers. The Panthers finished 2010 with a 15-2 record in Washington’s Division II and they beat the White Team last year in Kennewick 2-0. Saturday’s action concludes at 7 PM with the Black Team taking on the hosting North County Cavaliers. The Cavaliers finished 2010 with a 2-13 record in Washington’s Division II and they will look to these early season home games as a big push for their young team.
Sunday’s action kicks off at 9 AM when the Black Team takes on the Whatcom JV team. The JV team at Whatcom is in their first year and this will be their first game. The game will be played at the Civic Field Complex in Bellingham and is not part of the Cavalier Invitational, but it is a great opportunity for two young teams to get an extra game in. At 11 AM the teams will be back at the Invitational and the White Team will take on the Overlake Owls. The Owls had a strong 2010 season, finishing with a 9-7 record in Washington’s Division I. They are also the 3-time defending champions of the Cavalier Invitational. The last scheduled game on Sunday is for the Black Team at 2 PM, when they face off against the Mount Si Wildcats. If either team advances, playoffs begin following that game and can run until 7 PM. Following the games, the teams will hop on the bus for the long ride home to Missoula…
If you can’t make it to the games, you can follow the action throughout the weekend on our Facebook page, which we will be updating regularly.
SCHEDULE
Sat 3/12 – 9 AM: White Team vs. Skagit Valley
Sat 3/12 – 12 PM: Black Team vs. Lake Tapps
Sat 3/12 – 6 PM: White Team vs. Wenatchee
Sat 3/12 – 7 PM: Black Team vs. North County
Sun 3/13 – 9 AM: Black Team vs. Whatcom JV (at Civic Fields)
Sun 3/13 – 11 AM: White Team vs. Overlake
Sun 3/13 – 2 PM: Black Team vs. Mount Si
Sun 3/13 – 3 PM: #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed
Sun 3/13 – 4 PM: #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed
Sun 3/13 – 5 PM: Semi Final 1
Sun 3/13 – 6 PM: Semi Final 2
Sun 3/13- 7 PM: Championship
High School Boys Spring Preview
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS 2011 SPRING PREVIEW -
2011 is bringing MAJOR CHANGES to the High School Boys Program and we couldn’t be more excited!
The structure for 2011 is a significant change from our 2010 format… After a two-day tryout period, the High School Boys will be placed on either a White Team or Black Team, which they will practice with and travel to out-of-state tournaments and events with. Additionally, the boys will be playing for either the Knights, Eagles, or Spartans this spring in a city league run by Missoula Elite Lacrosse. The city league will feature 4 teams who will play games on most Thursdays and Saturdays during the season.
And if that wasn’t enough… the teams will also compete for the Montana High School Boys Lacrosse State Championships, held May 21st in Missoula… needless to say, there will be plenty of action this season for the High School Boys players!
ALL the High School Boys will also have the opportunity to earn a Varsity Letter in lacrosse this spring (assuming their school recognizes lacrosse) and so every player will also be taking part in our Team Study Hall program. The boys will get an upgraded facility this spring for their mandatory 2-hour per week sessions; The Payne Family Native American Center on The University of Montana Campus. This beautiful new building comes equipped with state of the art equipment and teaching tools and will also be used for Team Film Sessions throughout the season.
In addition to having the opportunity to study at a college campus every week, the High School Boys will also be taking campus tours at The University of Montana, Montana State University, Western Washington University, Portland State University, Gonzaga University, and North Idaho College throughout the season. We are excited to provide this enlightening opportunity this spring!
The High School Boys will begin their journey this season on March 2nd, for the start of the 2-day Tryout. On Friday, March 4th, the boys will be divided into their spring teams – White Team and Black Team – who will play a head-to-head scrimmage that day before The University of Montana Griz Lacrosse team hosts the Washington State University Cougars. The following weekend, March 11th-13th, both teams will travel to Bellingham, WA, to compete in the Cavalier Invitational. The White Team and Black Team will travel next to the Three Rivers Tournament in Kennewick, WA, on April 16th and 17th, where they hope to build off last year’s successes there. The final trip for the White Team and Black Team will be on May 6-8 as the team heads to Portland, OR, to take part in a series of exhibition games surrounding the PNCLL Championship Tournament. The boys will participate in a clinic hosted by college coaches and players and get to watch several of the west coast’s top college teams compete throughout the weekend.
Aside from the 10 games the High School Boys will play on the road this spring, we are also sooooo happy to be able to kick off our City League this spring. City League games between the Knights, Eagles, Spartans, and 10sticks Lacrosse will begin on March 17th when the Eagles host the Spartans. Each game on the calendar will be important this season, especially because all of the teams will have a good shot at bringing home the inaugural Montana High School Boys Lacrosse State Championship… so what better reason do you need to come out and cheer on your favorite local team?
The High School Boys will be coached this spring by returning Coaches Kevin Flynn and John Callon, also staff new-comer Max Reuter. Coach Flynn will be heading up the Hellgate Knights, Coach Callon will man the sidelines for the Big Sky Eagles, and Coach Reuter will lead the Sentinel Spartans in 2011. Coach Adam Foss will be joining the traveling teams again for a number of the road competitions this spring and we are happy to have all the coaches aboard!
The High School Boys are gearing up for a memorable 2011 season and we sincerely hope you will join them every step of the way… from our friends and fans, to the dedicated support staff, to the volunteers and coaches, to the players on the field… each one of us has a role.
Good luck to the all the High School Boys this Spring!
Balanced Scoring Paces Men’s Varsity to Victory
COEUR D’ALENE, ID – On Saturday, May 8th, the MEL Men’s Varsity team traveled to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, to take on the Vikings JV Team. The game was a beneficial addition to the schedule for both teams and the weather was perfect for lacrosse. The Vikings opened the scoring and the teams traded goals in a first half battle. Missoula brought a new element to their game, with the attack initiating a tough ride all game long and really limiting the Vikings chances on offense. Missoula would rack up 23 shots in the first half, however only two would find the back of the net and the teams went into halftime with Missoula leading 3 – 2.
In the 3rd quarter the midfielders really started to pitch into the ride and cause turnovers. These turnovers led to a solid transition effort by the Missoula team, especially attackman Trevor Johnson (JR, Sentinel) who netted 3 goals in the quarter. With the offense clicking and the defense clamping down, Missoula extended its lead to 8 – 2 heading into the final quarter.
The Vikings started off the 4th quarter with a frenzy of activity, winning the face off and then charging down the field to attack the cage. They fired off 4 shots early in the quarter, but goaltender Brandon Roose (JR, Sentinel) played tough and made 2 saves to start the quarter. Missoula got the ball up to the offense again and continued to show discipline in their attack, working the ball around and running through their sets. The offense would chip in one more goal in the final quarter and the defense kept up the second half shutout to earn the 9 -2 victory.
The Vikings JV team showed a lot of heart and toughness throughout the game, highlighted by their spirited starts in the 1st and 4th quarters. The Missoula team showed great improvements to their discipline to team systems and passion for the game, both of which the coaches were extremely proud of. Offensively, 6 different players registered points and 5 of the team’s goals were assisted, both are season highs. Defensively, the team forced 15 turnovers and won 52 groundballs, which are also both season highs. It was a great overall team effort.
Thank you to the Vikings program for hosting us on a great day for lacrosse and thank you to all the parents and fans who made the trip to Coeur D’Alene. Thank you also to Julie Gosselin for her photos and also to Gordy Pace, who’s photos can be found here. Also a Happy Mother’s Day for all our team mom’s out there, we couldn’t do this without you!
GAME NOTES:
GOALS: Trevor Johnson (3), Matt Gosselin (2), Lance Altmaier, Coty Becker, Hunter Brandt, Jack Lundin
ASSISTS: Jack Lundin (2), Hunter Brandt, Matt Gosselin, Coty Becker
SAVES: Brandon Roose (4), Rian Tuttle (2)
Directions to games for 5/8
This weekend Missoula Elite teams will be traveling in several different directions. Look below for a run down of the weekend for your team and directions to the field.
Men’s Varsity
The Men’s Varsity team will play in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, May 8th. The game is scheduled for 11 am, and the coaches have requested that players be there by 10 am. The game is at the Canfield Sports Complex (Click for Directions) . We’re looking forward to a fun day and our shortest trip yet!
Men’s Junior Varsity & Middle School Boys
Both the Men’s JV team and the Middle School Boys team will be traveling to Whitefish on Saturday, May 8th. Middle School Boys play at 11 AM and 1:30 PM. Men’s JV plays at 3 PM. Coaches request that players arrive at the fields one hour prior to gametime. Games are played at the Armory Fields (Click for Directions). Games are part of the Flathead Lacrosse Invitational, which also includes events for youth players and adult men’s players. For more information check out the Flathead Lacrosse site.
Women’s Varsity
The Women’s Varsity team will be traveling to Spokane, WA, on Saturday, May 8th. The team will be participating in the Gonzaga Prep Women’s Lacrosse Jamboree, which offers a full day of competition. Directions to their field can be found here.
Drive safe everybody and good luck to all the teams!
Black/White Scrimmage Re-Cap
MISSOULA, MT – On Saturday, March 20th, members of the Missoula Elite Lacrosse Men’s Varsity and Junior Varsity teams competed in the 1st Annual Black/White Scrimmage. Both teams played well for the fans, but in the end Team Black edged out Team White for the 6 – 3 victory on a beautiful day at Riverbowl Field.
The scrimmage started a bit slow for both teams, as both coaches were stressing working through the offenses to develop shots instead of going right to the goal. Team Black got on the board first with a goal from Matt Gosselin (SR, Big Sky) who, along with the rest of his line, really worked the ball well during the opening quarters. At the half Team Black had a 4 – 1 advantage, with 3 of the goals being assisted.
In the 3rd quarter Team White’s attack really started to push the cage. Hunter Brandt (SO, Big Sky) led the comeback charge with 2 goals as Team White’s defense also tightened things up. Team White won the 3rd quarter 2 – 0 to make it a 4 – 3 game heading into the 4th.
Team Black came out hot in the 4th, looking to put pressure on Team White goalie Colton Birdeau (SO, Sentinel) who had just replaced Keegan Adcock (SR, Hellgate). Coty Becker (JR, Valley Christian) and Caleb Brinton (JR, Sentinel) scored on the first 2 shots of the 4th for Team Black before Birdeau started to get comfortable and that would prove enough to seal the deal. Both coaches worked deep through their benches in the final minutes and the game ended very positively for both teams.
Thank you to all the parents and fans who made it out to the scrimmage to support the boys! We’re looking forward to another great week of practice before we take on Sandpoint next Saturday!
TEAM BLACK
Goals – Matt Gosselin, Colter Lear, Jack Lundin, Trevor Johnson, Coty Becker, Caleb Brinton
Assists – Coty Becker, Jack Lundin, Trevor Johnson
Saves – Rian Tuttle (6)
TEAM WHITE
Goals – Hunter Brandt (2), Lance Altmaier
Saves – Keegan Adcock (5), Colton Birdeau (4)
Rattlesnake practice fields
Hi all,
Thanks to everyone that came to our parent/player meetings last night. I enjoyed meeting the new folks and seeing returning players come back for another season. It sounded like a few people didn’t know exactly where the Rattlesnake field that we are using the first two weeks is. Above are a couple maps(click on them for larger size) and feel free to email me – info@missoulaelite.com- with more questions. It is pretty simple to find, just head west off Rattlesnake drive in the lower Rattlesnake until you hit Greenough or Duncan. Take that north until you see some folks playing lax. Practices are from 4-6pm and NO CLEATS only sneakers, we don’t want to tear up the field. See you there!
*****Special Note: There is some construction in the area so please be respectful and aware when driving in and parking*****
Scrimmage Re-Cap
MISSOULA, MT- On Saturday, March 6th, members of the Missoula Elite Lacrosse Men’s Varsity & Junior Varsity teams took on a group of players from Sandpoint high school in a pre-season scrimmage. The boys from Missoula came away with an unofficial 7 – 4 victory over their visiting opponents. Matt Gosselin (SR, Big Sky) led the team in scoring with 4 goals in the contest and Coty Becker (JR, Valley Christian) assisted two of the goals. Dane Kuhn (SR, Hellgate), Colter Lear (SR, Hellgate), and Lance Altmaier (SR, Hellgate) each chipped in a goal as well. Hunter Brandt (SO, Big Sky) led the team in ground balls with 7 while playing time at attack, and Brandon Roose (JR, Sentinel) and Spencer Schultz (SO, Hellgate) contributed solid minutes at the midfield. On defense, the team was led by Joel Colbert (SR, Hellgate) who grabbed 4 groundballs and played solid 1 on 1. Cody Garrymore (SR, Hellgate) also had a great game on the defensive end. In goal, Rian Tuttle (SR, Hellgate) registered 7 saves in the winning effort.
Overall it was a good experience for both teams to be able to play this pre-season scrimmage on such a beautiful day in Missoula. The MEL coaches were able to work in all our players who registered early for this event and it was a good mix of JV & Varsity talent. Thanks much to Sandpoint for making the trip to Missoula, we’ll see you guys again soon! Thanks also to all the fans who came out to support the program!
