Posts Tagged ‘Men’s JV’
FREE BOYS WINTER SESSIONS!
Come play lax with Missoula Elite coaches this winter and help keep that stick fresh for game day!
We’re offering FREE fun- filled sessions that are sure to satisfy your lax craving!
Sessions are open to new & returning players, so bring a buddy!
Middle School Boys – December 20th & 22nd – 6:30 to 8:00 PM
High School Boys – December 2oth & 22nd – 8:00 – 9:30 PM
*Sessions are held at the new gym at Meadow Hill Middle School.
For more information email Coach Flynn at kevin@missoulaelite.com
Space Needle Re-Cap
The drive home last night was, at least for me, filled with a lot of mixed emotions. On the one hand, it had been an amazing opportunity for us to be a part of the 2010 Space Needle Shootout. The talent in the Pacific Northwest has grown so much since I first came here 8 years ago and it is very satisfying to see the game being taken so seriously. There are only a handful of really dedicated coaches out here, but the hard work of few has gone a long way for the huge number of players who now have a stick in their hand… but on the other hand, our boys still need a lot of work.
With only one practice and little time to be outside with all the snow, it was really difficult for us to ever have a chance to settle down and run our systems this weekend. By the time we got the chance, fatigue would set in and we would get sloppy. The caliber of teams we played were just too overpowering for a short roster that was out of practice. Five games in 3 days is also a pretty tall order for any team… At least 4 players tried playing long stick defense for the first time, which to me is our biggest weakness as a team right now… so it was good to see the boys recognize this and try to step up and fix it.
Sometimes its hard to focus on the good things when it seems like the overall result was so one sided, but after watching the films today I think we actually played better than I felt at the time. Our defense still has a lot of holes, but the offense just really needs to work on their sticks and otherwise looks pretty good for this early in the year.
I’m not sure when we’ll have the opportunity to play teams of this caliber again, so I really just hope the boys learned something and will use this experience to fuel their work this off-season. If they understand that the game will give back to them what they put in, then they will find success this spring.
I read the boys a quote from Peter Kohn, from the lacrosse documentary The Keeper of the Kohn, before we left that I think summarizes my feelings about the event… “Lacrosse is part of life. The responsibilities there are no different than out in the world. You have the same responsibility to give more than you think you can give, the requirement is the same. We are all called to duty at some times in our life. You have to be ready for that.” Well said Mr. Kohn, I feel exactly the same way.
Congratulations and thank you to the South Sound Starz (both U18 and U16 teams), Rhino Selects, Maryland Rockfish, and Pac Rim U18 team… you all played hard and with great sportsmanship. Congrats also to the Seattle Starz team for winning the Shootout, great job Coach Hush.
Keep your heads up boys and don’t worry, bruises heal.
Thanks so much to all the parents who chaperoned the boys this weekend, we really couldn’t do this without you. Thanks also to our fans who made the trip! Big thanks to Coach Foss for coming down from Vancouver to help out the boys again, we really appreciate the support. For anyone out in Seattle area, be sure you hit up Pizzuto’s Italian Restaurant, food is good!
Lastly, thanks to Gordy Pace for more great photos… which you can check out here. Also thanks to Gene Fowler and Tom Schultz for the video!
Space Needle Shootout Preview: UPDATED
This Friday a group of Missoula Elite High School Boys will brave the winter weather for the game they love, as they head to Washington to compete in the 2010 Space Needle Shootout. The MEL Boys are part of a U18 Bracket that includes some of the top club programs from the west, in addition to elite teams from Canada and elsewhere in the country.
On Friday at 9 PM the team will begin play against the South Sound Starz. Game 2 is Saturday at 1 PM and features a team that really embodies the recent growth of the game in the west, as the boys face off against the Rhino Selects from Portland, a team created by lacrosse legend Ryan Powell. Game 3 on Saturday will pit the boys against the only team that traveled further than them, the Maryland Rockfish. That’s right, a lacrosse team from Montana will take on a lacrosse team from Maryland this weekend. Following the opening 3 games, the teams will be seeded for playoffs, schedule TBD.
In addition to the games, the boys will have the opportunity to participate in several clinics hosted by Warrior Lacrosse. The first is Friday at 7 PM, then Saturday at 9 AM, and finally Saturday at 7 PM.
Needless to say, this is a tremendous opportunity for our players and it’s truly a testament to the hard work that they have been putting in for us to even have the chance to compete in an event of this caliber. It is a landmark event for lacrosse in Montana and we will be here to share our stories, so stay tuned!
Directions to the 2010 Space Needle Shootout can be found here. We hope to see you there!
If you’d like more information, please email Coach Flynn at kevin@missoulaelite.com.
Featured Player
Jake Smith – Freshman, Men’s Junior Varsity
Jake is a 14 year old freshman at Sentinel High School. Jake played lacrosse in the Flagship program at Meadow Hill Middle School. He just finished “The Next Level” program, getting himself ready for the spring season. Jake recently took a few minutes to tell us a bit about himself.
Why did you start playing lacrosse?
“Because it’s an awesome sport. I found out about it from [James Pyke] in our school Flagship program.”
What is your favorite memory from last season?
“It would probably have to be during the Jamboree, taking [the ball] up and getting an assist to Jack.”
What are you most looking forward to this season?
“My hope for this season is that we will win some games.”
Why did you choose to play defense?
“I chose [defense] because you get to hit people, and usually not get hit.”
What skill would you most like to improve on?
“Definitely sliding technique.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“That would have to be small engines.”
Any plans for college?
“I’ve been looking a little at Annapolis actually.”
Shootout Scrimmage
On Sunday, Oct. 4, members of the Missoula Elite Lacrosse Men’s Varsity and Junior Varsity teams competed in an inter-squad scrimmage as part of the 3rd Annual Montana Shootout, hosted by The University of Montana Men’s Lacrosse team.
“Team Black” edged “Team White” in a 7-5 game that showcased players from the two programs. Junior Varsity attackers Jack Lundin (SO, Hellgate) and Logan Kuhn (FR, Hellgate) quarterbacked their respective offenses and led all scorers, with Lundin putting up a five-point performance and Logan Kuhn chipping in a trio of goals.
Varsity midfielders Coty Becker (JR, Sentinel), Matt Gosselin (SR, Big Sky), and Colter Lear (SR, Hellgate) controlled the ground ball game, transition play, and each contributed on the scoreboard as well. Becker finished the day with 2 goals and an assist. Other scorers on the day included Dane Kuhn (SR, Hellgate), Joel Colbert (SR, Hellgate), and Tanner Pace (SO, Big Sky), who each chipped in a goal. Both teams defenses played well, as did goalkeepers Rian Tuttle (SR, Hellgate) and Lance Altmaier (SR, Hellgate) who each finished with 5 saves.
Thanks to everybody who attended the event, especially supporters who came over from the Missoula Elite Fall Golf Scramble and The UM Men’s Lacrosse team for playing host. Also a huge thanks to the Kuhn’s, Gosselin’s, Reisner’s, Anderson’s, and all other family who worked concessions over the weekend to help support our program, it was greatly appreciated.
Summer Lax in Bozeman
On Saturday, June 27th, the Missoula Elite Lacrosse summer high school men’s team traveled to Bozeman for a game against the Gallatin Valley Lacrosse team. Both teams were evenly matched and the game slugged out for two overtime periods before the hosting Bozeman team converted a fast break game winner. The final score was 5-4 in favor of Bozeman.
Offensively, the MEL boys were led by Dane Kuhn (SR, Hellgate), who chipped in two goals at attack, and Matt Gosselin (SR, Big Sky) who put in two goals from the midfield and also recorded an assist. Midfielders Tanner Pace (SO, Big Sky), Al Plant (FR, Arlee), and Logan Kuhn (FR, Hellgate) all had solid performances, especially in the clearing game, and Mike Vessey (Grad, Sentinel) and Ryan Fowler (SO, Big Sky) set the tone on the defensive side of the midfield by laying some crushing hits during the contest.
Defenders Joel Colbert (SR, Hellgate), Mike Lloyd (Grad, Sentinel), and Jake Smith (FR, Sentinel) each had good performances, winning at least 5 ground balls each during the game. Goaltender Rian Tuttle (SR, Hellgate) had another great game in goal, recording 14 saves on the day and Colten Birdeau (SO, Sentinel) stepped in for a few minutes of leading the team in cage when Rian went down to injury during the 1st quarter.
Overall, it was a good growing experience for some of the younger players on the MEL roster and the team is looking forward to their rematch with Bozeman on July 18th here in Missoula. Thanks to the GVLL program for hosting and for all the families who made the trek to Bozeman.
Spring Jamboree
The first annual Missoula Elite Spring Jamboree kicked off on Saturday May 30th at Dornblaser Fields in Missoula. The event was an all-day celebration of our season’s efforts and featured action from all of our participating players. Varsity, JV, Women’s, Middle School, and Youth games ran throughout the day and the event culminated with a Adult Men’s Scrimmage – which enticed several player’s fathers to suit up for the game. The beautiful weather, great crowds, and fun atmosphere made this a memorable event for all. Thanks to all the families who volunteered with concessions and set up. Congratulations to the following Varsity players on their season awards: Dane Kuhn, Best Attack; Matt Gosselin, Best Midfield; Joel Colbert, Best Defense; Coty Becker, Most Improved; Colter Lear, Coaches Award; Keegan Adcock, Coaches Award; Rian Tuttle, Team MVP. Congratulations and a huge thank you to everybody who helped make our first spring season such a success. See you again soon!
Inaugural Weekend
On Saturday, May 2nd, Missoula Elite Lacrosse teams traveled to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to participate in the first games in program history. MEL’s inaugural game featured the Men’s Varsity team taking on host Coeur d’Alene Vikings. The host Vikings got on the board quickly against a road-weary MEL team and lead 5-0 only 7 minutes into the game. Following the first quarter break, the boys from Missoula found their legs and play increased dramatically. Midfielder Trevor Johnson (SO, Sentinel) notched the program’s first goal in the 2nd quarter and the defense, anchored by Goaltender Rian Tuttle (JR, Hellgate), shutout the Vikings for the quarter. The third quarter was very evenly played, with each team playing solid defensively and each scoring once in the quarter. Midfielder Colter Lear (JR, Hellgate) found the net for MEL after a great feed from Attackman Dylan Gross (JR, Hellgate). The 4th quarter started out very physical with teams trading blows in the first 6 minutes. Attackman Dane Kuhn (JR, Hellgate) scored his first goal on an isolation from the wing and the team started working through their offense well to generate shots. Unfortunately Kuhn’s goal would be the lone goal of the quarter for MEL and the host Vikings started finding some holes in the tired MEL defense and ended up winning the contest 13-3. Goaltender Rian Tuttle was awarded the game ball for his 12 save performance.
Following the MEL Men’s Varsity game, the Men’s JV team played it’s first game ever. The boys played hard against the more experienced University High, WA, program and were excited to hit the field for the first time. Goaltender Colten Birdeau (FR, Sentinel) shined early on and had netted 12 saves by the end of the first half. The midfield was paced by Albert Plant III (8th, Arlee) and Logan Kuhn (8th, Washington). who did a great job clearing the ball and working it to the attack. Attackman Hunter Brant (FR, Big Sky) and Tanner Pace (FR, Big Sky) both worked the ball well offensively and found shots early and the boys took away a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge from their first game.
In the Men’s Varsity team’s second game of the day, the boys went to battle against Three Rivers, Washington. The teams looked very even in the opening quarter and MEL went into the second down 2-1, with Attackman Dane Kuhn netting a goal. In the second quarter the Coyotes from the Tri-Cities dominated at the face off X and were able to push a number of transition goals past the MEL defense. At halftime the Varsity boys made some adjustments to their game and were able to evenly pace the Coyotes for the rest of the contest. Led by a pair of 4th quarter goals from Attackman Lance Altmaier (JR, Hellgate), the MEL team won the second half 3-2 and finished with a very respectable 11-5 final score. Attackman Dane Kuhn was awarded the game ball for his 3 goal performance and Goaltender Rian Tuttle finished with 10 saves. Defenseman Joel Colbert (JR, Hellgate) paced the defense all game and finished with 6 groundballs. Midfielder Coty Becker (SO, Sentinel) had a team high 7 groundballs and pushed the ball effectively in transition throughout the game, along with line mate Matt Gosselin (JR, Big Sky).
The MEL Men’s JV team wrapped up the day’s action following the second Varsity game with another solid performance against the host Coeur d’Alene Vikings. Attackman Eli Hampson (FR, Hellgate) netted the team’s first goal ever during the contest and Goaltender Colten Birdeau had another great game in the cage. Missoula Elite Lacrosse would like to thank University High and Three Rivers for meeting us in Coeur d’Alene and a big thanks to the host Vikings for putting on a great day of lacrosse!
