Friday, April 20, 2001
Moeller faces lacrosse challenge
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Moeller and everyone else. This has been the state of boys lacrosse in Cincinnati the past 10 years. Moeller has lost once to an area team - last season to St. Xavier, which won the Division II state title.
However, Moeller's dominance could be coming to an end as Indian Hill coach Mike Ward predicts St. X and possibly his team could pass the Crusaders this year.
“Everyone has caught up with Moeller and the party is over,” Ward said. “They don't have the respect anymore.”
Despite Ward's prediction, Moeller is the team to beat among the 10 Cincinnati schools sponsoring lacrosse programs.
Under first-year coach Dan Shannon, Moeller has a 4-4 record, losing to Columbus powers Upper Arlington, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Dublin Coffman and Thomas Worthington.
“Upper Arlington has the state trophy bolted down at the school,” Shannon said. “Their coach, Ted Wolford, is outstanding and very gracious. There's a lot of demands on him, but he'll help anyone out at any time.”NEEDED??
Although Shannon has a football and baseball coaching background, he spent time at various teaching camps last summer, along with attending clinics, to learn the game.
“I've surrounded myself with former players (Joe Leever, Brad Phillips, James O'Keefe, Matt Kennedy, Chad Siegert, Doug Bay) who know and understand the game and relate with the players,” Shannon said.
Shannon inherited a Crusader team that lost 12 seniors to graduation.
Brendan Doran, a senior midfielder who gave up football and baseball to concentrate on lacrosse, has accepted a grant-in-aid from Mercyhurst University, an NCAA Division II top 20 team in Erie, Pa.
“My dad played at Villanova and encouraged me,” Doran said. “I played defense last year but moved to midfield this year. It's been tough getting used to the shorter stick used by midfielders.”
Shannon explained the reasoning behind moving a great defenseman to an offensive position.
“Our weakness was at midfield, and I felt Brendan could make the transition and add some offense (eight goals),” Shannon said. “He has successfully traded in the long stick for the short stick and done a great job.”
Defensemen use a longer stick because it's easier to get the ball off the ground and clear it out of the area. The shorter stick allows the player better control and more accurate passing ability.
Andre Murray (midfield), Nick Lobert (defense), Tim Faessler (midfield), Chris LaMond (defense) and Matt Huber (attack) are other players who stand out for the Crusaders.
“I'm a teacher and realize that without discipline, a team can't progress and improve,” Shannon said. “I've broken things into small elements and taught from there. We've established rules which don't limit how the players can operate.”
The dominance by Columbus teams is a reflection of the numerous youth programs there that get youngsters involved as early as first grade.
There are certain areas of Cincinnati such as Indian Hill, Anderson Township, Mariemont, Montgomery and West Chester that are now involved in youth programs which could lead to more success in the future.
“There's 47 teams state-wide and 10 in Cincinnati,” Shannon said. “It's also catching on with the girls and there's about six or seven schools with teams.”
As for Moeller taking a backseat to St. Xavier and Indian Hill, Shannon took a wait-and-see attitude.
“We play St. Xavier Saturday at Reading Stadium,” Shannon said. “They beat us by two goals last year, and it should be a good game.”
St. Xavier (5-2) has lost to Dublin Coffman and Worthington Kilbourne.
“We were a little tentative moving up to Division I but we've proved we can play with anybody,” St. X parent representative Tom Syzek said. “We played both Columbus teams close, which was a confidence builder.”
Niall Wright has scored 20 goals and is one of St. Xavier's best offensive players, while three-year starter Blake Seifried is considered one of the premier goalies in the state.
There are three divisions in lacrosse with St. Xavier and Moeller the only Cincinnati schools in Division I. Indian Hill competes in Division II.
The remainder of teams are Lakota, Sycamore, Cincinnati Country Day, Summit Country Day, Wilmington Anderson and Mariemont.
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