By Alex Frazier
Welcome to the 2011 lacrosse season. Since girls soccer moved to the fall, I will be able to devote my full attention to lacrosse this spring, which I’m looking forward to.Each week, you can expect a notebook, which will contain a player feature, rankings and other league information. Obviously, I can’t be everywhere or know everything that’s going on, so if anyone has any interesting stories, college signings or any other information pertinent to the SOL lacrosse community, please contact me at SuburbanOneSports@comcast.net.
In addition, I will be doing game wraps one day a week, usually on a day when the most games are being played, and on the remaining days, game summaries will be posted on the site daily as they are received.
New coaches – Each year I like to honor the new coaches in the league. This year there are only four. I wish them all good luck in their new endeavors.
National Conference
John Hiron, Council Rock South
Council Rock South’s new head coach has 35 years of lacrosse experience, most of it in his native Australia, where he began playing at the age of seven.
He was captain of the 1981 Australian U19 team and played for the Australian National team from 1989-1993, including the World Series in 1990.
He has coached lacrosse for 20 years anywhere from club teams in Australia to assistant coach at Georgetown University in 1984.
He was also an Australian Scout for the 2010 World Series, a Selector for the 2006 World Series and the Australian Selector Assistant Coach, running the bench at the 2002 World Series.
He was an assistant coach at Rock South before taking over the head job this year.
“I am a committed and thoughtful coach who likes to empower and encourage his players to think on their own, to be the best players and young men they can be,” he said in his resume. “I like to make sure my players are in peak physical condition, know a system and how and when to make correct decisions, on the field and off.”
Continental Conference
John Banks, Hatboro-Horsham
John Banks comes to Hatboro-Horsham with an impressive list of credentials.
He played high school lacrosse at Ward Melville High School in Setauket, NY. He was the goalie on both the 1988 and 1989 undefeated 24-0 New York State Class A Championship teams. In 1989 he was named a High School All-American Goalie. In addition, he received the 1989 Lt. Raymond Enners Award for Suffolk County, which represents the player who best exemplifies courage, teamwork, skill and leadership.
He went on to play at Dartmouth for the 1990 and 1991 seasons, where he was a three-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week.
He then transferred to Johns Hopkins, where he appeared in the 1992 and 1993 NCAA Lacrosse Final Fours.
From 2002-2004, Banks started his coaching career at Southampton High School on Long Island, NY, which was just starting a lacrosse team.
In 2006, he became manager and coach of LB3, a summer and fall tournament travel program, which offers opportunity for 150 boys from 29 different area high schools to participate in national lacrosse recruiting events.
In 2007 he became a volunteer coach at the Deep Run Valley Sports Association, where he works with the Deep Run Thunder Lacrosse program with the first and second grade program and with the board of directors to establish curriculums for teaching the basics and fundamentals of lacrosse to all coaches and players grades 1-8.
In 2007 he also became an assistant coach at Central Bucks West, helping to turn that program around.
Professionally, he is a financial consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors in Doylestown. He lives in the Perkasie area with his wife Maggie of 10 years and his five children.
At Hatboro, he hopes to build a highly competitive team focusing on teaching young men a lifelong love and respect for the game of lacrosse grounded in a commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
Rick Smith, North Penn
Rick Smith, a former assistant coach at Methacton and Hatboro-Horsham, has been named head boys lacrosse coach at North Penn.
Smith served as an assistant at Hatboro-Horsham from 2002-09 and then at Methacton last year. He also has coached travel teams for Team Philadelphia/PYLA and is the director of Team Philadelphia/PYLA for Montgomery and Bucks counties.
Smith, a Wissahickon alum who teaches at Methacton, is excited to take over the program at North Penn.
“I expect all of my players to conduct themselves with the highest degree of class and dignity at all times, both on and off the field,” he said. “It is expected that all lacrosse players will conduct themselves in a positive role model mode.
“A goal of mine is to have all of our lacrosse players have confidence in everything that they do. I believe that confidence is built through communication both on and off the field.”
Smith’s coaching philosophy is simple: build successful student-athletes and make the right decisions in the transition game.
“My coaching philosophy is directed related to my goal at North Penn,” he said. “’Communication that builds confidence.’ As a coach, I am more concerned with where my players are going to be five years from now, rather then a winning or losing a lacrosse game.
“I want my players to attend a post-secondary school, have successful jobs, and be outstanding role models in the community.”
Smith hopes to improve a Knights team that has gone 9-26 the past two seasons combined.
“Every player in our program has been putting in lots of time during the off-season to improve their game,” he said. “They attended a fall league at Upper Dublin and currently they are playing indoor lacrosse.
“My assistant coaches have done a tremendous job of putting together after school workouts. If every player in our program continues to put in this effort, then we will be very successful and have unforgettable seasons in the future.”
American Conference
Michael Liberona, Upper Moreland
Michael Liberona doesn’t have much coaching experience.
One year to be exact.
Last year he was the jayvee coach at Upper Moreland.
Until a couple of years ago he was still playing.
At 34, Father Time caught up with him. He tore both his anterior and medial collateral ligaments in a game.
Though his playing career was finished, he wasn’t yet ready to walk away from the game.
“I still wanted to be a part of the sport and figured coaching was the next logical step,” he said.
Though he has only one year of coaching experience under his belt, he has played for about 25 years.
“I'm hoping that my players learn from my playing experience,” he said. “We have a great group of players that are eager to learn and are excited about the new season. I think we may sneak up on a couple of teams this year, and as much as I hate losing, I'm looking for the effort and sticking to fundamentals. We get better every practice and that's all I can ask for as a coach.”
Frigid February – More and more athletic teams are becoming involved in community fundraising.
But how many are willing to go as far as jumping into 36-degree water at the end of January?
The Hatboro-Horsham lacrosse team did just that and in the process raised $3,500 for Special Olympics.
“We learned about the event last year,” said Hatter captain Joe Palo. “Ryan Cressman’s mom got everyone together and we created a team. We raised $2,100 last year.”
This year Mrs. Cressman suggested that they try to get the entire Continental Conference involved. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, partially because a snowstorm struck on the night of registration, which was the day before the deadline.
In any event, the Hatters returned as a team and won top fundraising honors. Each player had to raise a minimum of $50, but many raised well over that.
Palo was one of about 25 players who took the plunge at Neshaminy State Park on Jan. 29, when the air temperature was a whopping 31 degrees.
“It was ridiculous,” said Palo. “I ran into the water and the whole lower part of my body just shut down. I was the first one in and the first one out. I ran as fast as I could.”
“It was a good team bonding experience,” said coach John Banks.
The Hatters will participate in two more fundraising events this year. On April 30, Hatboro-Horsham will be one of 54 teams participating in the 11th Annual Katie Sampson Lacrosse Festival at Radnor High School to raise money for spinal cord research.
On May 3, the Hatters will combine with Pennridge for a day of “pink” games for breast cancer. The Hatter boys and girls jayvee and varsity lacrosse teams will don pink uniforms adorned with pink ribbons to take on Pennridge, which will wear green uniforms with pink ribbons. The two school’s township youth programs, Horsham Lacrosse Club and Deep Run Valley Lacrosse Club, will also play at halftime.
“To teach the boys how to give back and raise awareness is an important life lesson we can teach them,” said Banks.
Previews – The following are capsule summaries of this year’s SOL teams, arranged according to projected conference finish.
National Conference
Pennsbury – The Falcons are poised to knock Abington out of the top spot. The only two blemishes on their record last year were to the Ghosts. They will be led by senior midfielder Ricky Jutkiewicz, who scored 31 goals and contributed 10 assists last year and was a second team all-league selection. He was also an EPSLA all-star. First team all-National Dan Marr will anchor the defense. Also watch for senior attackman Josh Caven and junior goalie Drew Sweetland.
Abington – Besides losing the entire first midfield, the Ghosts are also without Matt Rambo, who transferred to LaSalle. But the Ghosts aren’t about ready to give up their title without a battle. Scoring may be a question mark, but they do have two stars in Nick Pisko and Ryan Ambler. Anthony Greco will lead a strong defense.
Council Rock North – The Indians are hoping to make the playoffs again this year and advance further. North will be led offensively by senior attackman Chris Gifford, who tallied 35 goals and 25 assists last year. Midfielders Tyler Shablin and Bryan Attanasio and defenseman Jack Ozaroff will provide leadership for the team.
Neshaminy – The Redskins will be deeper and more athletic this year and could challenge North. They will look to attackmen Jimmy Roessner and Keenan Skeels to supply the firepower.
Harry S Truman – Truman returns five senior starters. The Tigers will be faster and deeper at midfield. Senior leaders include: attackman Jeremy Ghost, goalie Tyler Brennan, defenseman Robert Copson, midfielder Robert Ryan and attackman/midfielder Gordon McDonough.
Council Rock South – The Golden Hawks will continue their building program this year behind a solid group of seniors, who include faceoff specialist Matt Finor, Zach Warton (defense), Kyle Curry (defense), Matt Curry (attack) and Matt Goodman (midfield)
Continental Conference
Central Bucks East – Year in and year out the Patriots are the cream of the crop. This year will probably be no different. Last year they shared the title with Hatboro-Horsham. East returns two first team all-leaguers in Weston French (defense) and Sean Reilly (midfield). Nick Andris (goal), Matt Brodzik (attack) and Brendan Coleman (midfield) will provide maturity and leadership.
Hatboro-Horsham – The Hatters will have a new coach in John Banks, but don’t look for any drop off in competitiveness. Banks has an impressive coaching and playing career. The Hatters will have to find a way to replace big-time goalie Dino Vitale, but if they can do that, they have the personnel in Dom DeFazio (first team defense), Joey Palo (midfield), Sean Saunders (midfield) and Kevin Sweeney on attack, to challenge again this year.
Central Bucks West – With seven starters returning, the Bucks may unseat Hatboro-Horsham as the next best team. West will be led by first team long stick midfielder Johnny Kirchner as well as Jack Firriolo (midfield), Spencer Macquarrie (attack) and Jake Ross in goal.
Souderton – With 45 players out for the team this year, the Indians will have much better depth. A 15-4 romp over Phoenixville signals a hopeful start to the season. Though still a bit young, Souderton is looking to improve on last year’s progress. Key players include: Josh Burke (defense), J.P. Carroll (attack), Grant Nice (goal), and Bryan Ziegler (attack)
Pennridge – With a little team chemistry this year, the Rams could break into the top echelon after going 5-7 last year. The entire defense returns, but the offense will be new and must start gelling early. The Rams will rely on Dave Cole (second team defense) Kyle McCabe (midfield) and Brian White (goalie).
North Penn – The Knights have a new coach in Rick Smith. He has coached in the league and is familiar with it, which will be a boon in his first year. North Penn is hoping to make up for a lack of depth with athleticism. The Knights will depend on seniors Sean Adams (defense), Dan Kohler (attack) and Drew Schmitz (midfield).
Central Bucks South – The Titans are hoping to improve on their 1-11 finish last year, which may tough in an ever-tougher Continental Conference. South has some young talent, which may take some time to develop. Until then, seniors Luke Dachowski (attack), Alan Eife (midfield) and Joe Szatmary (defense) will have to assume leadership.
American Conference
The American Conference will be a four-horse race this year, a nightmare for odds makers. Last year Wissahickon and Upper Merion shared the championship, but Upper Dublin was close behind having lost to the Trojans twice in extended overtimes. The Cardinals ended up tying Plymouth Whitemarsh for third. Some similar scenario is not out of the question again this year.
Upper Merion – The Vikings return an experienced midfield, which includes Wes McDowell and Robby Boyk. Conor Crowe will anchor the defense in goal and Luc Minnich will head the attack.
Wissahickon – The Trojans graduated 13 seniors last year but have a good core group of players returning, led by defenseman Beau Gomez and midfielder A.J. Anderson. If they develop the right chemistry, they could go far.
Upper Dublin – The Flying Cardinals are battling some early injuries, but a healthy team will be dangerous and motivated to avenge last year’s close losses. The outlook is good as the Cardinals look to their three senior captains Willy Beury (attack), Jon Quici (defense) and Charles Meinehart (defense) for leadership.
Plymouth Whitemarsh – The Colonials will have an experienced attack with 60-goal attackman Colin Joka, Andrew Cox and Pat Kennedy. Gryphin Kelly will also be strong in midfield and faceoffs and Pat McGee will anchor the defense.
Cheltenham – Depth will be a question mark for the Panthers this year, but they still hope to improve on their 9-9 mark of last year. With four returning starters—Tom Crossfield, Kevin Hunter, Peter Brown and Jon Zevin—defense will be exceptional. The Chelts also return four key midfielders in Pat McCann, Jack Aronson, Matt Shafer and Logan Neiderriter.
Norristown – With a new defensive coach and an improved offensive plan, the Eagles hope to move up this year. They will be led by midfielders Jake Naseef, Matt Grill (long stick) and Christain Angelucci, goalie Maike Malley and defenseman John Kennedy.
Upper Moreland – After a winless 2010 campaign, the Golden Bears have high expectations this year under new head coach Michael Liberona. Taylor Pickersgil (defense) and Nick DeBalko will provide strong defensive leadership. And the Bears will have maturity in the midfield with seniors Andrew Benner, Brian Callahan and Dylan Giesler. The attack will be young and could be a key to the ultimate success of the season.
SOL Pre-Season Top 5
1. Central Bucks East
2. Pennsbury
3. Abington
4. Hatboro-Horsham
5. Council Rock North
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