Ask the coach TOM KENNEDY - Head lacrosse coach at Moeller for eight years, compiling a record of 87-32; played college lacrosse at perennial powerhouse Syracuse. Q: What talents do I need to play lacrosse? Is the sport as dangerous as believed, and is it expensive? A: To play the sport of lacrosse you need speed and you have to be mentally tough. We ask for a 12-months-a-year commitment from our lacrosse players if they aren't playing another sport. We ask them to participate in weight training and off-season conditioning programs. Lacrosse is not a dangerous sport. In eight years we've had three knee problems and quite a few bumps and bruises. Equipment, which includes a stick, helmet, gloves, shoulder and arm pads, costs Tom Kennedy about $200, but every year we have a used equipment Lacrosse not dangerous sale.
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Lacrosse Ancient sport newest rage By Joe Minster Press Contributor
Lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds in Greater Cincinnati at all levels. The newest teams have been formed at Sycamore and Indian Hill high schools. At Indian Hill both boys and girls are taking up the game. At Indian Hill Shawn Hamill is the boys coach while Kate Malinsky and Stephanie Parker coach the girls. "We're thrilled that lacrosse is becoming so popular in this area," said Reed Schroeder, president of the Greater Cincinnati Lacrosse Association (GCLA). "We welcome the addition of Sycamore and Indian Hill, along with about 150 who are participating in our youth program. We anticipate the continued growth of this sport in this general area." Hamill, who had about 25 players show up for his first workout at Indian Hill, graduated from Washington College in Chestertown, Md., before earning his master's degree in sports administration at Xavier University. While he was in charge of the recreational sports department at Xavier, Hamill helped form XU's club lacrosse team and plays for the Mount Adams Lacrosse Club. Most members of his Braves lacrosse team are new to the game, although several have competed for the Styx. "Our young people have been working very hard at practice and have been making great strides," Hamill said. "Our boosters have helped supply uniforms and the
goals." In forming the first girls lacrosse team in the area, Malinsky and Parker had a turnout of about 35. "They've been very enthusiastic and have made steady progress," Molinsky said. "We plan to play games with club teams from Daytort and Columbus, opening at home on April 14 against Dayton. "Hopefully, other schools in Cincinnati will add lacrosse to their programs, making scheduling less of a problem in the future." Schroeder said a citywide Lacrosse Days will be May 3 to 5 at Riverside Park off Round Bottom Road in Anderson Township. There will be instructional clinics and games scheduled to showcase the sport. And, of course, some schools have been playing all along. His top scorer from a year ago is gone, but Moeller High School lacrosse coach Tom Kennedy is confident his present squad may develop into the best he's had in his 10 years at the Crusader helm. "We have a lot of depth," Kennedy said while preparing for the opener this Saturday, March 30, against Hudson at Sycamore. "We lost Matt Keller (now playing football at Ohio State University), along with Zach Gagel and goalie Joe Borchelt, but we have most of our leading scorers back who should pick up the slack." Keller had 44 goals and 38 assists last season while also starring for Moeller as a football running back. A knee injury suffered during a scrimmage may sideline senior midfielder Jeff Strottman, who
was honorable mention all-Midwest a year ago. But Kennedy has 10 lettermen back, headed by his son, Pat Kennedy. The younger Kennedy was allstate and all-Midwest first team in 1995 after scoring 39 goals and adding 27 assists for 66 points as an attacker. Also back are is defenseman Steve Fiamingo, an all-state first team and all-Midwest second team selection. Attacker Mike Stormshak, midfielders Dan Ullman, Pat Horan, Chris Siegert and Joe Kobos and defenders Nick Merritt and Dan Hillerich also return. Strottman had 25 goals last year. Stormshak scored 21, Ullman 17 and Horan 10, helping Moeller post a 12-5 record. The Crusaders were Midwest runnersup and were third in Ohio. Rounding out the squad are junior attackers Steve Schaff and Joe Fedders, defensive midfielders Grant Crosswaite and Dave Jones and three candidates for goalie, senior Eric Schlake and juniors Mark Lynch and Jason Susshine. "Our attack should be more balanced this year," Kennedy said. Moeller has early-season road games April 3 at Dublin, Ohio, and April 8 at Wooster. One of the highlights of the schedule will be a 6 p.m. home game April 19 against Cleveland St. Ignatius. In the past eight years, Moeller has compiled a 87-32 record. The Crusaders have done even better in the last four seasons in winning 59 and losing just 13 times. Assisting Kennedy in coaching is Ken Iwanusa, defensive coordinator for the football Crusaders.
Moe drops first in lacrosse By Joe Minster Press Contributor
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Tom. Kennedy didn't mind admitting he was upset with his Moeller lacrosse team's first loss of the seas~n, suffered at the hands of a strong Brother Rice. team from Detroit. · "We didn't play well against BrotHer Rice, particularly in the first half," said Kennedy, coach of the Crusader team that had previously rung up seven straight victories.·"We knew it was going to be a tough game, and our kids got off a very slow·start in losing, 179." Fresh from an 11-5 win against previously unbeaten Cleveland St. Ignatius, Moeller now faces another tough hurdle today (April 24) when Kennedy sends his club against one of Ohio's top prep teams, undefeated, Upper Arling-
Against Brother Rice, Kennedy ton. "We need to bounce back tallied four goals and added two against Upper Arlington," assists, while O'Donnell had three K~nnedy said. "If we play ~ell goals as Moeller trailed, 6-0, after and lose, that would be okay. But the first period, 12-2 at halftime if we don't play well~ we. could be and 14-5 after three quarters. in tt-ouble." . On the season Kennedy, whose The Upper' Arlington game · brother Jim is playing lacrosse for kicks off busy wee.k for Moeller, the University of Massachusetts, which will play at St. Xavier Fri- leads the way with 32 goals and day and host Shady Side of. Pitts- · ·17 ·a·ssists. Dan Ullman is next with 15 goals and 11 assists, folburgh Saturday at Sycamore. Kennedy's youngest son, Pat, lowed by Steve Scbaaf with 18 Brian O'Donnell, goalie Erik goals and six assists. Mike ·Schlake and Steve Fiamingo Stormshak has 12 goals imd eight . starred in the victory over St.· ·assists while O'Donnell netted 16 Ignatius. Fiainingo controlled the goals and two assists. faceoffs· to give the Crusaders pas"We're goin·g to have to play session. Pat Kennedy, t.he leading much better if we're to have·a real . scorer for Moeller this season, chance against Upper Arlington," had two· goals and six assists,· Tom Kennedy said. "This is a while O'Donnell scored five times. very important game for us Schlake was outstanding in .the against one of the best teams in the state' of Ohio." nets. ·
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.,. Pat 'Kennedy, Moeller~s standout ·lacrosse player, has accepted a grant-in~aid' from Syracuse University. As a junior, Kennedy Jed Ohio in scoring and was a first team all-state selection.J.Z-1--f'-