Heading NOT ALWAYS AN EASY TASK

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1 Heading A SCHOLARSHIP AND PLAYING LACROSSE AT A U.S. COLLEGE IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT, BUT THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING HIGH GRADES, WHILE KEEPING SOUTHRECEIVING UP WITH A DEMANDING LACROSSE SCHEDULE, IS // By Ryan McLean NOT ALWAYS AN EASY TASK A n athletic scholarship to a United States college is something few Canadians are offered regardless of the sport they play. Whether it is basketball, football, hockey, soccer, baseball or swimming, just to name a few, the number of Canadians toiling in Division 1(D1) or even Division 2 or 3 athletics south of the border is really minute when one looks at the full scope and size of U.S. college sports. Lacrosse is no different than those other sports, but because of the high quality of play in Ontario and throughout Canada, many up-andcoming lacrosse stars are jumping at the chance to play at a U.S. college, while receiving a free or partially paid for education while doing so. One such player is Alison Daley, who suits up for Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. The 20- year-old goalkeeper from Peterborough, Ont., is enjoying her second year playing D1 lacrosse and is really making a name for her self. After a 2008 season in which she started all 18 games, posted a goals against average of 11.99, and was twice named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, Daley is off to a good sophomore season boasting a 6-6 record in league play this year. Although she is enjoying her experience at Canisius, Daley does encourage young girls coming across the border to play lacrosse to keep in mind several important items. Besides just looking at the lacrosse side of things, make sure that everything you are looking for academically is there, says the former captain of the Kawartha Lacrosse Club. Ultimately, once your four years are done at college, there is nothing left for women s lacrosse, so you want to come out with a solid education. This sentiment was echoed by team mate, Carley Quinn, while en route to a game earlier this season. Young girls really need to decide whether they want to play Division 1, 2 or 3 lacrosse, Alison Daley, Canisius College Photo: Canisius College 28 Ontario LACROSSE Spring 2009

the Colonials in this his freshman season, Matisz is working hard to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which he needs in order to meet his academic scholarship requirements.

In addition, in first semester, it s mandatory that freshmen attend study hall for three hours every other day. During the season, we watch films after 5 p.m., and then do homework.

If all this isn t enough for student-athletes, Ontario players have to adjust to playing a new style of lacrosse.

2 the Colonials in this his freshman season, Matisz is working hard to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which he needs in order to meet his academic scholarship requirements. Generally, my daily schedule goes from 8 a.m., till 9 p.m., he says. Eight till noon is class, and then 12 till 5 p.m., is lacrosse. In addition, in first semester, it s mandatory that freshmen attend study hall for three hours every other day. During the season, we watch films after 5 p.m., and then do homework. There is not a whole lot of time to have to yourself, so you just prepare and use time management to deal with it. If all this isn t enough for student-athletes, Ontario players have to adjust to playing a new style of lacrosse. Matisz s coach, Kenneth Bear Davis, understands the difference in styles amongst box lacrosse, played primarily in Canada, and field, most popular in the U.S. He also has a great deal of confidence in Ontario players coming across the border and playing what is for some an entirely different sport. With these guys having such little field lacrosse experience, our thought process was Photo: Canisius College Carley Quinn, Canisius College adds the 19-year-old Orangeville native. One of my friends is in a Division 3 program and they don t practice nearly as much as we do. You need to decide whether you want to do it, because once you do, lacrosse becomes a full-time commitment. Quinn, a member of the Under-19 Canadian National Team that finished fourth at the 2007 Junior World Cup, is also in her sophomore season at Canisius. Her freshman season saw her record seven goals and eight assists. At U.S. colleges, men s lacrosse is no different than the women s game for there are no free passes when trying to maintain high grades, while keeping up with a demanding lacrosse schedule. Time management becomes a saving grace for dealing with the stresses that come with the new lifestyle, says Stoney Creek native Kiel Matisz, who is currently enjoying his first season with Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pa., located just outside of Pittsburgh. The 19-year-old midfielder describes the life of a university student as long and dedicated. Besides scoring eight goals and tallying 14 points in his first 12 games for Kiel Matisz,, Robert Morris University Kyle Buchanan, Robert Morris University we knew it would be a learning curve; it was just how quick can they pick it up, he says. How quick can they apply their box skills to the field game and understand it? With our past experience with Canadian guys, we knew it took about a full year to really understand the field game and apply the skills. Relatively new to field lacrosse, Kyle Buchanan, a 21-year-old freshman at Robert Morris, knew he could play a leadership role, despite having to learn a new system. I never really played field lacrosse until I came here, says Buchanan, originally from of Nepean, Ont. I wanted to be a leader since I ve played with some really good box teams. I wanted to learn the system and get a feel for the game and hopefully play in the springtime. Field is a lot of more systematic, where as box, it is a more runand-gun style. Photos: Robert Morris University Spring 2009 Ontario LACROSSE 29

3 MALE DOMINANCE Here's just a sample of the Ontario men currently playing NCAA lacrosse. Aaron Fill Becker Ladner D3 Adam Jones Canisius Owen Sound D1 Aidan Genik Hartford Toronto D1 Alex Crepinsek RIT Oakville D3 Andrew Stoner Lycoming Orangeville D3 Andrew Suitor Adrian Orangeville D3 Anthony Lackey Whittier Orangeville D3 Austin Thomas Bryant Mississauga D1 Ben McCullough Potsdam Brampton D3 Brad Levick Elmira Newmarket D3 Braden Artem Catawba Acton D2 Brandon Ree St Andrews Barrie D2 Brock Sorenson Ohio State Peterborough D1 Bryan Neufeld Siena Virgil/Niagra D1 Cade Zulak Mars Hill Ajax D2 Carter Bender Hartford Caledon D1 Chad Howson Mars Hill Newmarket D2 Chris Cudmore Mars Hill Whitby D2 Clark De Geer Hartford Orangeville D1 Cody Jamieson Syracuse Six Nations D1 Corey Small Albany St Catherines D1 Cory Upshaw Notre Dame De Namur Orono D2 Dan Coates Canisius St Catherines D1 Dan MacCrae RIT Oakville D3 Dan MacIssac American International Port Perry D2 Dave Brock Albany Burlington D1 Dave Morton Robert Morris Orangeville D1 David Hodgins Mars Hill Windsor D2 Derek Hopcroft Bellarmine Toronto D1 DJ Clevely Adrian Orangeville D3 Eric Benesch Mars Hill Bloomingdale D2 Eric Hubert Adrian Mississauga D3 Eric Whettell American International La Salle D2 Evan Kirk Hobart Orangeville D1 Garett Ince Virginia Oakville D1 Garett Kerr Quinnipiac Caledon D1 Graham Bergsma Fairfield St Catherines D1 Grant Gosselin University of New England Beaconsfield D3 Greg Miceli Stony Brook King City D1 Greg Norris Susquehanna St Catherines D3 J.A. MacDougall Mercyhurst Brantford D2 Jaime Lincoln Denver St Catherines D1 Jay Card Hofstra Caledon D1 Jeff Ivey Adrian Orangeville D3 Jesse Fehr Harvard Calgary D1 Jesse Gamble Cornell Rockwood D1 Joe Stanley Potsdam Lakefield D3 John McClure Dowling Brampton D2 Jonathan Thomson Cornell Orangeville D1 Jordan Joncas Potsdam Kanata D3 Jordan MacIntosh Gordon Oakville D3 Jordan Sealock Robert Morris Airdrie D1 Josh Gillam Dartmouth Peterborough D1 Kevin Brownell Robert Morris Burlington D1 Kevins Woods Mars Hill Newmarket D2 Kiel Matisz Robert Morris Stoney Creek D1 Kris Clement Oswego Pierrefonds D3 Kyle Bergman Drexel Toronto D1 Kyle Buchanan Robert Morris Nepean D1 Kyle Kallay Mercyhurst Orangeville D2 Kyle O'Brien Dowling Whitby D2 Kyle Rubisch Dowling Brampton D2 Mark Matthews Denver Oshawa D1 Matt Bertrand Seton Hill Oakville D2 Matt Campbell Bellarmine Orangeville D1 Matt McMurray Gettysburg Orangeville D3 Matt Quinton Roanoke Elora D3 Michael Cudmore Hartford Ashburn D1 Michael Howe Cornell St Catherines D1 Mike Jacques Wheeling Jesuit Sarnia D2 Mike Pantelone Neumann Aurora D3 Mike Pires Ohio State Saanichton D1 Mitch Barnard St. Andrews Barrie D2 Mitch McMichael Cornell Port Perry D1 MJ Kiekebelt RIT Caledon D3 Nick Diachenko Delaware Courtice D1 Rick Acorn Elmira Barrie D3 Robert Koger Georgetown Toronto D1 Ryan McClelland Colgate Brampton D1 Scott Gamble Elmira Toronto D3 Sean Gilles RIT Oakville D3 Sid Smith Syracuse Ohsweken D1 Stephan LeBlanc Queens/NC Restoule D2 Stephen Keogh Syracuse Toronto D1 T.J. Cook Adrian Caledon D3 Todd Hosmer Potsdam Scarborough D3 Travis Gibbons Canisius Owen Sound D1 Trevor Veres Wheeling Jesuit Windsor D2 Tyler Burton Mercyhurst London D2 Tyler Collins Colgate Toronto D1 Tyler Douglas Dominican College St Albert D2 Zack Greer Bryant Whitby D1 30 Ontario LACROSSE Spring 2009

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Photo: University of Hartford Another U.S. school that hasn t shied away from recruiting Ontario born players is the University of Hartford.

Both Carter and Aidan are capable of being all rookie team, possibly all conference guys, even this year as freshmen, says Lawrence. Even as freshmen they have taken leadership roles.

4 Photo: University of Hartford Another U.S. school that hasn t shied away from recruiting Ontario born players is the University of Hartford. Aidan Genik and Carter Bender have both adjusted well to their new scenery and their coach, Peter Lawrence, is happy they came. I think it s fair to say, they have exceeded expectations. Both Carter and Aidan are capable of being all rookie team, possibly all conference guys, even this year as freshmen, says Lawrence. Even as freshmen they have taken leadership roles. We count on them for us to have success. The expectations will only get higher every year they are here. Through the Hawks first nine games this season, Genik was tied for the team s lead in points, with 19, while Bender was hot on his tail, just one point behind him. Genik is no stranger to success. In 2005, he played for the Edge Ontario Selects squad that went undefeated; a year later he helped the Ontario team win the Brogden Cup and then in 2007, he won the U-19 National Lacrosse Championship. The Toronto native says he found his way to the University of Hartford after playing a tournament in the area, in which the school s men s lacrosse coaches saw him play, showed some interest in him and eventually offered him a scholarship, one he couldn t refuse. It s been a different experience for me. Here it s a more catch-andshoot style of play, says the 20-year-old attacker. The American style is much more technical. Back home, you had a few plays, but mainly you just went to the net to make something happen, but here it s a lot more set. The speed of the game is faster since you only have 20 seconds to get it over the half when you re clearing it and then another 10 seconds to get it in the box. Where as international rules you can take as long as you want. Plus, the collegiate level is more athletic and the defenders in America are a lot better. Aidan Genik, University of Hartford Spring 2009 Ontario LACROSSE 31

5 GIRL POWER Here's just a sample of the Ontario women currently playing NCAA lacrosse. Alana Chan George Mason Lakefield D1 Alison Rusak Canisius Orangeville D1 Allison Daley Canisius Peterborough D1 Ally Phillips Notre Dame College (OH) St. Catherine's D2 Amanda Jones Belmont Abbey Owen Sound D2 Ashley Curtis Niagara Peterborough D1 Ashley Rutz La Salle Milton D1 Awehiyo Thomas Canisius Ohsweken D1 Brianna Robertson Lycoming Brechin D3 Britt Farquharson UC Davis Mississauga D1 Brittany Kovacs St. Francis Oshawa D1 Cara Dadswell Belmont Abbey Port Elgin D2 Carly Quinn Canisius Orangeville D1 Christine Comeau Longwood Whitby D1 Claire Conrad Slippery Rock Guelph D2 Corina Mahorn Detroit Mercy Whitby D1 Dana Dobbie Maryland Guelph D1 Dana Funkenhauser Adrian Windsor D3 Desiree Dabrowski Long Island Orangeville D1 Emily Boissonneault Detroit Mercy Brooklin D1 Emily Watterson St. Francis Whitby D1 Erin Roach Adrian Windsor D3 Gena McPherson Notre Dame (OH) Brampton D2 Hillary Neale Adrian Mississauga D3 Jalene McCulloch Elmira Belleville D3 Janaye Dzikewich Louisville Whitby D1 Jayme Beard Ohio State Hawkestone D1 Jennie Greenlee Neumann Burlington D3 Jennifer Morse Notre Dame (OH) Brampton D2 Kallie Briscoe Hamilton Orangeville D3 Katie Illiott Limestone Whitby D2 Katie Smith Syracuse Ohsweken D1 Katrina Rabishaw Adrian Sharon D3 Kayla Dubowski Neumann Emeryville D3 Kristen Millar Vermont Whitby D1 Kristie Jennings Mercyhurst Whitby D2 Lauren Martin Lees-McRae Whitby D2 Lisa Ryan Converse Burlington D2 Megan Austriaco Adrian Rockwood D3 Megan Oosting Canisius Buckthorn D1 Melissa Nakasuji Limestone Ajax D2 Natasha Blackburn Ohio State Mississauga D1 Nicole Alexopoulos Neumann King City D3 Paige Mason Roanoke Orangeville D3 Rachel Johnston Adrian St Catharines D3 Sierra Smith-Hart Louisville Whitby D1 As for Bender, his lacrosse résumé is also littered with success. The 20-yearold, 6'3" attacker played for the Ontario Edge Seniors team in 2006 that went undefeated in 30 games in the U.S. and won the NDP National Tournament of Champions. This is my first spring here and I like it a lot, says the Caledon, Ont., native. It was kind of hard to step in as a freshman, but we have a lot of good young guys coming here and we are trying to turn things around, especially the reputation of the program, to a more elite team. The team is coming together. We had a few close games, but we are starting to gel more now and I think we can put it together. As a team we need to do the little things. There is no doubt the level of play in U.S. college lacrosse is helped by the presence of Ontario-born players (see page 30) bringing their skills, desire and dedication to their respective teams. However, most U.S. college players from Canada echo the same advice to the future generation of lacrosse stars looking to make the transition: get your name out there, play in as many tournaments as possible and actively pursue the head coaches of the schools by letting them know when you are coming to a tournament in their area, and that you are interested in the possibility of attending their honoured institution as a student-athlete. Ryan McLean is a freelance writer in Calgary, Alta. Carter Bender, University of Hartford Photo: University of Hartford 32 Ontario LACROSSE Spring 2009

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