Host Kyle Devitte is joined by guest Ryan Conwell. They delve into Ryan's lacrosse journey, starting from high school in Liverpool, New York, transitioning to college experiences, and his significant involvement with box lacrosse. The episode highlights the competitive nature of senior men's lacrosse in the NABLL, the inception and evolution of the Nor'easters, and the short-lived yet memorable experience of the PBLA with the Chowder Heads. Conwell also discusses the importance of officiating in lacrosse and shares insights on his involvement with the moon bears in international tournaments like the one in Prague. The episode wraps with Devitt's gratitude towards Conwell for his contributions to the sport and his personal aspirations in lacrosse.

Topics

00:21 Guest Introduction: Ryan Conwell

00:49 High School Lacrosse Memories

01:45 College Lacrosse Journey

02:58 Lacrosse Forums and Online Community

04:05 Ranking Lacrosse Fan Bases

13:21 Transition to Box Lacrosse

19:46 Founding the Nor'easters

24:33 The Core Four Teams

25:09 The NABLL League Structure

25:31 Rebuilding and Tryouts

26:29 The Value of Summer League

30:14 The Moon Bears Journey

33:19 The PBLA Experience

40:46 The Importance of Being a Good Teammate

43:23 Referee Shortage and Challenges

52:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle is joined by Owen Hart, coach at Westwood High. Owen shares his journey from learning lacrosse as a high school student to becoming a coach. The duo delves into coaching experiences, emphasizing the differences between coaching varsity and JV, and the importance of teaching fundamentals. They also review and provide insights into the MIAA Division 1 and Division 2 lacrosse brackets, highlighting teams, potential upsets, and key matchups to watch. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, in-depth analysis, and a light-hearted take on the lacrosse community.

Topics

01:08 Owen Hart's Lacrosse Journey

The guest is North Andover Head Coach Steve Zella. He covers topics such as the transition of teams between divisions, the impact of influential coaches and the strategies behind preparing a young team for success. Coach Zella shares his coaching journey, style, and the challenges faced this season. The conversation highlights the significance of character-building, adapting coaching methods for younger players, and the ongoing growth and development of lacrosse at the high school level. 

Topics

01:29 North Andover's Season and Division Move

The guest is Simsbury High School's head coach Jim Martocchio, who shares insights on coaching philosophies, the challenges and rewards of coaching in the town you live in, balancing coaching roles, and the dynamics of preparing teams for playoffs. Additionally, the conversation touches on nurturing player development from youth through high school, the impact of lacrosse on youth, and maintaining passion and fun in the sport despite the pressures of high stakes competition. The coach also delves into the role of community and relationships in building successful programs, highlighting the journey of senior players and discussing the potential next steps in their lacrosse careers. Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/ Topics 01:50 Exploring Connecticut's Lacrosse Divisions and Challenges 06:45 The Unique Bond of Lacrosse: From Plymouth to Simsbury 15:04 Cultivating a Positive Lacrosse Culture in Simsbury 19:30 The Joy of Coaching and Building a Lacrosse Community 21:01 Reflections on Coaching High School Lacrosse 23:21 The Challenges and Rewards of Coaching in Your Hometown 25:29 Evolving Coaching Strategies with Parenthood 08:34 Building a Community Through Coaching 32:03 The Impact of Coaching Philosophy on Team Dynamics 35:32 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of High School Lacrosse 38:40 Fostering Talent and Leadership in Young Athletes 44:15 Closing Thoughts: The Journey of Coaching

The guest is Ethan McDonnell, the head coach of Choate's lacrosse team. He shares insights on building a lacrosse program, balancing academics and athletics, and navigating the college recruitment process for student-athletes. The discussion covers the unique aspects of Choate, including its academic rigor and innovative approach to education, as well as the importance of finding the right fit for athletes at both the prep school and college levels. McDonnell also reflects on his journey from a student-athlete at Choate to becoming the head coach and how his experience informs his coaching and mentoring approach. The episode emphasizes the value of preparation, community, and matching one's athletic aspirations with educational goals. Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

Topics

00:34 Guest Introduction: Ethan McDonnell's Journey

01:37 Season Recap and Team Dynamics

05:05 Balancing Postgrads and Developing Young Talent

09:59 Recruitment Insights for Aspiring Prep School Athletes

14:08 Coach's Personal Journey and Lacrosse in Montreal

21:50 Finding the Right Fit: College and Career Choices

22:25 Life Lessons from the Field: Preparing for Success and Failure

23:24 The Role of a Coach: Beyond the Game

24:25 Navigating the College Recruitment Process

26:03 The Importance of Experience Over Winning

34:41 Choate's Unique Approach to Education and Athletics

40:27 The Personal Touch: Coaching at Your Alma Mater

42:22 Wrapping Up: The Right Fit and Upcoming Challenges

The guest is Loomis Chaffee lacrosse coach Bill Ball, who covers a wide array of topics related to prep school lacrosse. Discussions include the anticipation of the NCAA lacrosse tournament, Cornell's prospects, the importance of early season performances, and coach Ball's experiences and coaching philosophy at Loomis Chaffee. Insights into player development, the impact of mentors, the team's playing style, and managing high-performing athletes' expectations are shared. Additionally, they touch on the importance of multi-sport participation, the changing landscape of recruiting, and the unique benefits and challenges of coaching at a boarding school like Loomis Chaffee. The conversation also delves into the competitive nature of the Founders League, the advantages of a Loomis education, and the complex dynamics of coaching different age groups. Topics

00:21 The Road to the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament

00:53 Special Guest: Insights from Loomis Chaffee's Bill Ball

04:30 Adapting to Early Offense: Loomis's Strategy

05:34 Facing Challenges and Celebrating Wins

08:07 Navigating Team Dynamics Without a Key Player

11:44 Building a Strong Team Culture at Loomis

15:32 The Unique Loomis Experience: Academics and Athletics

20:38 Advice for Aspiring Prep School Athletes

21:59 Looking Ahead: The Founders League Championship

22:51 The Thrill of Post-Season Play and School Rivalries

23:55 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation

24:30 Building Relationships with Club Teams

26:08 The Evolution of Lacrosse and Coaching

31:15 Recruiting and Evaluating Young Talent

35:57 The Unique Challenges of Coaching at Prep Schools

37:15 Loomis Chaffee's Distinctive Approach to Education and Athletics

41:19 The Future of Prep Lacrosse and Closing Thoughts

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

The guest is Andrew Kirkaldy, the head coach at Trinity-Pawling. Kirkaldy discusses the challenges and responsibilities of coaching at this level, including player development, mentoring, and recruitment. He emphasizes the importance of teaching life skills alongside lacrosse, reflecting on the pressure to compete for student-athletes and how prep schools provide a nurturing environment for young men to grow both on and off the field. The conversation also touches on Kirkaldy's personal journey through lacrosse, from his playing days in Canada and the NLL draft to transitioning into coaching. Additionally, the episode delves into the competitive landscape of the Founders League, strategies for player utilization and development, and the cultural shift towards incorporating box lacrosse techniques into the field game. Kirkaldy also highlights the accomplishments of his players, the majority of whom continue their lacrosse careers in college, underscoring the program's success in preparing them for the next level. The episode concludes with insights into the unique benefits and challenges of the prep school lacrosse scene.

Topics:

01:29 The Challenges and Triumphs of Coaching Lacrosse 03:47 Coach Kirkaldy's Unique Journey to Lacrosse Coaching 05:27 The Evolution of a Lacrosse Player: From Box to Field 20:20 The Importance of Control and Instinct in Lacrosse 24:52 Analyzing Defensive Strategies in Lacrosse 25:09 The Importance of Aggression and Confidence 25:29 Reflecting on Past Performances and Adjustments 25:50 The Challenge of Coaching at High Levels 26:56 Success Stories: From High School to College Lacrosse 27:27 The Role of Athleticism and Team Dynamics 28:46 Coaching Philosophy: Developing Players and Roles 32:02 Balancing Instructional and Situational Coaching 33:36 Building Character and Life Skills Through Lacrosse 38:32 Personal Journey: From Player to Coach 40:50 Recruitment and the Founders League Dynamics 43:14 Choosing Trinity Pauling: A Focus on Authentic Growth 45:12 The Prep School Advantage and Coaching Perspectives 47:21 Concluding Thoughts and the Impact of Coaching

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

The guest is Nashoba head lacrosse coach Matt Biggs, who delves into coaching philosophies, the growth of lacrosse in New England, and the impact of positive youth programs. Discussions highlight the balance between instructional and positive feedback in coaching, the evolution of player skills and mindset, and the necessity for challenging traditional play styles. Coach Biggs shares his personal journey from a player to a coach, his role in building a strong lacrosse culture at Nashoba, and the importance of adapting coaching strategies to player strengths. The conversation also touches on the challenges and benefits of divisional realignments and power rankings in Massachusetts lacrosse, aiming to enhance the competitiveness and integration of teams across regions.

Topics:

00:14 Coaching Styles and Communication on the Field

01:22 Introducing Coach Matt Biggs: A Lacrosse Legacy

02:29 Building a Program: The Nashoba Lacrosse Story

05:42 The Impact of Mentors in Lacrosse Coaching 06:15 The Challenge of Refereeing in Lacrosse

11:47 Cultivating Talent and Team Culture at Nashoba

12:29 The Evolution of a Coach: Offensive Strategy and Team Dynamics

19:40 The Importance of Practice and Developing Young Talent

26:18 Exploring Team Dynamics and Coaching Philosophy

26:35 The Importance of Fun and Culture in Team Sports

28:48 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Youth and High School Sports

31:11 Encouraging Creativity and Individuality in Players

41:23 Navigating Divisional Realignment and Its Impact on Teams

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production.

Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

Lacrosse legend Corey Bulken, an assistant coach at Severn School, shares insights on his playing career, coaching philosophy, and transition to coaching high school and college levels. He delves into the evolution of lacrosse, mentoring relationships, recruiting strategies, and the fulfilling experience of impacting players beyond the field.