Kyle and Owen welcome Billerica boys lacrosse coach Ryan Nickerson, the reigning MIAA Division 2 champion. Nickerson describes a preseason shaped by winter-sport athletes, weight training, and the long-running “Spring Meltdown” tune-up, then reflects on beating BC High by focusing on being the better team rather than public-vs-Catholic narratives. He emphasizes managing high school players’ emotions, including using silent timeouts, and recounts a draining title game versus Reading where neither team would quit. The group discusses neutral-site showcase games at Bentley, scheduling strategy amid power rankings, integrating eighth graders, club lacrosse dynamics, replacing graduating seniors, team captains, and Billerica’s distinct town culture and accent.

Topics

01:05 Preseason Chaos

01:36 Welcoming Coach Nickerson

03:12 Preseason Plan

04:23 Public vs Catholic Pressure

06:25 Coaching Emotions

09:35 Duxbury Breakthrough

11:16 Championship Rollercoaster

15:02 Neutral Site Showcase

17:29 Scheduling Tough Opponents

19:04 Practice Tweaks and Sub Game

21:02 Eighth Graders on Varsity

24:22 Cam’s Rise and Recruiting

27:02 Undersized Star Advantage

28:25 Club Lacrosse Connections

30:01 Club Beyond Recruiting

31:41 High School Team Mindset

35:09 Reaching Tough Players

37:04 Scheduling and Rankings

41:05 Replacing Graduated Leaders

46:18 New Captains and Grit

49:30 Billerica Accent and Roots

52:22 Program Legends and Wrap Up

Kyle Devitte and Owen Hart discuss various aspects of lacrosse with Medfield High School head coach John Isaf. They delve into the dynamics of high school lacrosse in Massachusetts, including the impact of COVID-19, changes in MIAA divisions, participation trends, and the role of club lacrosse. Isaf provides insights into Medfield’s successful program, his coaching philosophy, dealing with the pressures of maintaining a championship-winning culture, and memorable matches. The discussion also touches on the New England lacrosse scene, challenges of scheduling competitive games, and the evolution of the sport in the region.

01:30 Interview with Coach John Isaf

02:03 Discussing MIAA Team Movements

02:53 Funny Anecdotes and Text Messages

09:34 Impact of COVID on Lacrosse

20:56 Changes in Playoff Formats and Power Rankings

24:54 Strength of Schedule and Tournament Teams

26:32 Challenges of Small School Lacrosse Programs

29:23 Economic and Facility Disparities in School Sports

30:38 Medfield's Athletic Success and Culture

36:41 The Role of Club Teams in Lacrosse Development

48:59 Reflections on Memorable Games and Losses

50:24 Podcast Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Kyle and Owen interview Matt Chandik, the Director of Communications for Dynamic Sports Management and Social Media Director of the National Lacrosse Federation. The discussion covers Matt's journey from writing for his college newspaper to becoming a key figure in lacrosse media and event management. They explore the intricacies of handling large-scale lacrosse events, the impact of social media on the sport, and how authentic storytelling can set apart lacrosse content. 

Topics

01:30 Meet Our Guest: Matt Chandik

02:21 Matt's Journey into Lacrosse Media

06:33 Challenges and Rewards of Lacrosse Event Management

13:25 The Reality of Lacrosse as a Career

24:43 The Rise of High School Sports Edits

25:58 Challenges of Social Media Content

27:04 The Importance of Quality in Sports Clips

28:15 Engagement and Follower Dynamics

30:07 The Evolution of Sports Media

31:17 The Future of Lacrosse Media

43:59 Memorable Lacrosse Moments

47:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen sit down with Mike Silipo, the new head coach of St. Sebastian's lacrosse team. The podcast explores Silipo’s transition from a successful tenure at Boston University to taking the helm at St. Sebastian's. They discuss the intricacies of coaching at different levels, the importance of simplicity in strategy, and the nuances of the face-off and shot clock in modern lacrosse. Silipo shares insights on team dynamics, his approach to player development, and his philosophy on coaching both on and off the field. This episode also touches on the rich lacrosse culture in Massachusetts, the relationships among rival coaches, and the unique challenges and rewards of high school coaching. Join them for an in-depth conversation about the journey of building a lacrosse program and preparing young athletes for success.

Topics

00:56 Welcome to Chasing the Goal Podcast

01:57 Interview with Mike Silipo: New Head Coach of St. Sebastian's

02:44 Coaching Philosophy and Experience

04:00 Transition to High School Coaching

06:30 Offensive Strategies and Player Development

08:39 Challenges and Adaptations in Coaching

21:00 The Importance of Face-Offs in Lacrosse

23:53 Box Lacrosse vs. Field Lacrosse

24:20 The Importance of the Ride

24:40 Differentiating Midfielders and Attackmen

25:44 Training and Player Development

27:40 Rivalries and Mental Warfare

29:26 Motivational Tactics and Coaching Stories

31:58 Balancing Relationships and Performance

40:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Kyle and Owen, along with guest Marty Bowes, discuss various aspects of coaching youth lacrosse. Marty shares his experiences working as the Director of Coach and Player Education at Mass Youth Lacrosse, his journey into the role, and the importance of coach education. The conversation covers practical strategies for coaching youth players, such as implementing a three-second rule to promote quick decision-making and off-ball movement, and the significance of rewarding unselfish play. They also address common challenges faced by youth coaches, including managing skill level differences and dealing with overzealous parents. The episode highlights the importance of maintaining positivity, creating a supportive environment for players, and embedding the rich history of lacrosse in coaching practices.

Topics

02:10 Guest Introduction: Marty Bowes

02:25 Marty's Role at Mass Youth Lacrosse

04:30 Challenges of Coaching Youth Lacrosse

05:50 Coaching Techniques and Strategies

15:20 Parental Involvement in Youth Sports

22:56 Promoting Team Play and Skill Development

29:55 Team Dynamics and Parental Expectations

30:42 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

32:49 The Value of Assists in Lacrosse

33:42 Encouraging Team Play and Unselfishness

44:42 The Importance of Off-Ball Movement

54:06 Youth Coaching and Positive Experiences

Brooks coach Ian Speliotis joins Kyle and Owen. They discuss the challenges of logistics in off-season, the importance of family support, the excitement of college lacrosse, and the personal story behind Owen's allegiance to UNC. Speliotis shares insights into his background, his journey from being a student at Brooks to his coaching stint at Culver Academies, and his return to Brooks. They emphasize the importance of culture, commitment, and community in building a successful lacrosse program.Speliotis highlights a signature win against Rivers that marked a turning point for the team and outlines the recruiting approach focused mainly on the Northeast while welcoming talent from across the country and beyond. The conversation encapsulates the passion and dedication required to elevate a lacrosse team within the competitive landscape of the ISL.

Topics

00:54 Thanksgiving and Lacrosse Talk

01:41 UNC Fandom Origins

03:07 Guest Introduction: Coach Ian Speliotis

03:25 Coach Ian's Lacrosse Journey

05:22 Balancing Hockey and Lacrosse

08:30 Experiences at St. Michael's College

14:43 Brooks School and Community

18:59 Culver Academies Experience

23:58 Reflecting on a Season Cut Short

24:28 Learning from Experienced Coaches

25:08 Building Player Relationships

25:44 The Importance of Team Culture

26:42 Commitment and Sacrifices in Prep Schools

28:00 The Prep School Experience

29:56 Community and Support at Brooks

41:01 Signature Wins and Turning Points

46:17 Recruiting Strategies and Challenges

49:08 Looking Forward to the Season

Kyle and Owen chat with Elliott Bender, a renowned box lacrosse player and coach known from Instagram and TikTok as 'The Box Lacrosse Guy.' The discussion delves into the growing prominence of box lacrosse, its distinct differences from field lacrosse, and how Bender transitioned from a player to a content creator to fill the knowledge gap for American players. Elliott shares personal anecdotes, the challenges and techniques unique to box lacrosse, and practical drills to enhance skills. The conversation also highlights the importance of finding the right program for young players and the evolution of the sport including women's box lacrosse. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and improving in box lacrosse.

Topics

00:31 Anecdotes and NBA vs. PLL

01:18 Guest Introduction: Elliott Bender

01:30 Elliott's Lacrosse Journey

03:35 Box Lacrosse Training and Experience

10:38 The Evolution of Box Lacrosse

12:16 Box Lacrosse vs. Field Lacrosse

19:43 Content Creation and Advocacy

27:55 The Friendly Intensity of Box Lacrosse

28:39 Women's Box Lacrosse: A Different Game

30:59 Comparing Men's and Women's Lacrosse

35:13 The Evolution of Lacrosse Gear

38:47 The Rise of Box Lacrosse Travel Teams

42:14 Essential Drills for Box Lacrosse

48:53 Conclusion and Future Plans

Kyle and Owen are joined by new Clark University men's lacrosse coach Matt Colombini. The discussion covers Colombini’s background, his coaching philosophy, and the unique experiences at Emerson College. They delve into his approach to building a competitive lacrosse culture focusing on toughness, preparation, and team-first mentality. The conversation also touches on the challenges of recruiting versatile players, the importance of not specializing too early, and the exciting prospects for Clark's lacrosse program under new leadership. The episode highlights the value of a fifth-year free program at Clark, strategic travel schedules for competitive play, and the anticipation of a dynamic new era for Clark lacrosse.

Topics

00:49 Guest Introduction: Matt Colombini

01:25 Coaching at Emerson College

02:43 Unique Experiences at Emerson

05:15 Transition to Clark University

06:59 Recruitment Strategies and Challenges

15:14 Core Values and Team Culture

17:09 Fifth Year Free Program

19:29 Recruitment Criteria and Core Values

21:12 Balancing Talent and Team Fit

22:55 Position Flexibility and Player Development

26:34 The Goalie's Journey

28:19 Building a Competitive Schedule

32:02 Alumni Support and Program Potential

35:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen are joined by Patrick Wallace from Goalie Gurus. The discussion covers the unique mentality and challenges of lacrosse goalies, including their psychological pressures and the evolution of goalie training techniques. Patrick shares his expertise on recruiting goalies, evaluating their performance, and the importance of mental health and leadership training. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of goaltending, the effectiveness of the 10-man ride, and the importance of athletic and quick decision-making abilities for goalies.

Visit www.goaliegurus.com

Topics

00:47 Introducing the Goalie Coach

01:25 The Mentality of a Successful Goalie

02:58 Recruiting and Training Goalies

04:57 Evolving Goalie Techniques

08:03 Challenges and Psychology in Coaching

13:42 Youth Coaching and Goalkeeping IQ

22:43 Advanced Strategies and Sub Games

25:25 The Role of LSM in Lacrosse

26:14 Specialty Positions and Their Impact

27:02 Evaluating Goalie Performance

28:20 The Importance of Game Data

28:58 Club vs. College Rules

30:07 The Evolution of Midfielders

31:58 The 10-Man Ride Strategy

34:29 Coaching Techniques for Goalies

45:01 Memorable Saves and Goalie Stories

49:15 Conclusion and Goalie Gurus Information

Kyle and Owen are joined by Carter Rice, a standout midfielder for the Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). They discuss the end of the college lacrosse season, the transition to professional play, and Rice's experiences and challenges in the PLL. The conversation also delves into Rice's time at Syracuse University, his transition from an offensive to a defensive midfielder, and his memories of high school lacrosse rivalries. Additionally, Rice shares his thoughts on playing under coach Anthony Kelly, the emotional rollercoaster of playoffs, and his goals outside lacrosse.

Topics

00:18 Reflecting on Playoff Season

01:02 Special Guest: Carter Rice

04:20 Transition to Professional Lacrosse

10:54 College Memories and Rivalries

21:48 Recognizing Talent: Freshman Year Reflections

22:08 Deciding to Go Pro: The Aha Moment

22:54 Post-PLL Career Plans

23:44 Branding and NIL Experiences

24:59 Coaching Aspirations and Experiences

25:44 Adjusting to PLL Rules and Dynamics

27:17 Defensive Strategies and Techniques

33:40 Funny Stories and Locker Room Tales

39:13 Chasing the Championship Dream

40:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell