Ghitelman Named Park City Girls Head Coach, UVU/BYU Top Rated Teams in MCLA, Mad Dog Utah Coming to Town
Plus, Q&A with new high school coaches, PLL announces 2026 schedule with two stops in Utah
Welcome in lax fans! This week we dive into Adam Ghitelman becoming the next head coach for the Park City girls team and Q&A with HS coaches: Ethen Shenfeld (Desert Hills) and Lexi Hayes (Bountiful). We also preview the UVU & BYU men’s seasons. Last but not least, Mad Dog Utah is bringing a program to Utah and results from Sandstorm!
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High School
Adam Ghitelman Takes on New Challenge at Park City
Adam Ghitelman’s lacrosse journey has always been defined by growth, and his newest role is no exception. A professional player in the Premier Lacrosse League with the Boston Cannons, former University of Utah men’s lacrosse coach, and founder of Utah Summit Lacrosse Club and the Utah Lynx, Ghitelman is now embracing a new challenge as head coach of Park City High School’s girls lacrosse team.
“I’m excited to step into a program with a strong culture and a tremendous tradition and history of success,” Ghitelman said. “Park City has earned its reputation through hard work, commitment, and pride.” Rather than overhaul what already exists, he’s focused on stewardship. “My role is not to reinvent the wheel, but to honor that tradition while continuing to push the program forward.”
Ghitelman is energized by the athletes themselves. “The opportunity to work with such inspired and driven athletes has provided me with great excitement,” he said. “It challenges me to provide these ladies with a program that will drive them to be better players, teammates, and leaders.”
Looking ahead to the season, his goals are clear. “I hope this year builds on the foundation of the championship standards that already exist,” Ghitelman explained. “I want us to be competitive, connected, and confident.” He stresses patience and consistency. “As we all know, it is a marathon, not a sprint. If we stay committed to our process and to one another, we can push the standard for lacrosse at Park City and the state of Utah as a whole.”
Ghitelman plans to draw heavily from his experience at the professional and collegiate levels. “My experience at the professional level has shaped how I view the game,” he said. “I want to immerse my knowledge of the men’s pro game and college game into women’s lacrosse.” That includes encouraging players to “play fast, see things before they happen, and have a ‘let’s play chess’ mindset.” Creativity is essential. “Mistakes are free,” he added. “I want players thinking creatively and playing with confidence.”
While he has primarily coached boys in the past, Ghitelman is intentional about his approach to coaching girls. “Coaching girls requires an intentional focus on elite communication, interpersonal trust, and a united sisterhood,” he said. “I approach this role with humility and an openness to learning.”
When asked what skills matter most, his answer goes beyond stick work. “Strong fundamentals are essential, but work ethic, coachability, and lacrosse IQ are what separate great players,” Ghitelman said. “Mental toughness and resilience are just as important in high-pressure moments.”
Above all, Ghitelman remains grounded in respect for the program’s past. “I have a great deal of respect for the tradition of Park City Girls Lacrosse,” he said. “My commitment is to honor that legacy while continuing to challenge our players and take this program to the next level - together.”
Park City has made it to 13 straight championship games and are the reigning 5A champions.
New Boys Coaches Q&A
Ethen Shenfeld - Desert Hills
ULR: What is your lacrosse background?
Shenfeld: I’ve played lacrosse for the last 17 years. I helped start the Snow Canyon High School team & the Utah Tech Club team.
ULR: What are you looking forward to the most about coaching?
Shenfeld: This is my first year as a Head Coach and I’m excited to be at the school that I played for in High School.
ULR: What else should people know about you? Hobbies, family, career, etc.
Stenfeld: I love to string sticks, I have been stringing for about 12 years now. I am an Elementary School P.E. and I love to watch Sports in my free time.
New Girls Coaches Q&A
Lexi Hayes - Bountiful
ULR: What is your lacrosse background?
Hayes: I started playing lacrosse in 2003 (5th grade) and fell in love with it. I played throughout Junior High, then played for Bountiful from 2008-2011. I played at Utah State for the 2013/14 season and coached a season at Mountain Crest High School.
ULR: What are you looking forward to the most about coaching?
Hayes: After being the varsity assistant coach the past two years, I’m excited to step into the head coach role. We have an awesome group of girls who are extremely hardworking. I love creating a culture of inclusivity that fosters a love for lacrosse. This game was my first love, and I love watching something click for my athletes when their hard work pays off!
ULR: What else should people know about you? Hobbies, family, career, etc.
Hayes: Outside of lacrosse, I love to live an active lifestyle with my husband and two kids (third on the way), we enjoy hiking, boating, swimming, and biking. I love to read and challenge myself to 100+ books a year in all genres. I’ve been a cosmologist for 11 years and a master esthetician for 7, I love helping others feel confident in their own skin.
College
Utah Valley Ready to Prove No. 1 Ranking is Real
USA Lacrosse recently released its 2026 MCLA D-I Preseason Poll and the results slotted Utah Valley as the No. 1 team in the country. The Wolverines are stacked with returners and transfers who are ready to defend the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference title and make a deep run in the MCLA National Tournament.
“Thankfully the majority of our upperclassmen have been on UVU teams ranked No. 1 in the past,” said UVU Head Coach Colin Maxfield. “It didn’t help us win the National Championship then, and it won’t now. They along with the coaching staff are beating the drum that the only ranking that matters to us is the final ranking.”
Speaking of upperclassmen, Blake Yates, who was named the Preseason Player of the Year, is ready to lead the offense once again. Yates, who played locally at Brighton, is coming off a 51 goal and 25 assist season. In 2025 he earned a 2nd Team All-American nod at attack as well as the Scholar Athlete award.
Yates is joined by three others who made an All-America team last season: Jack Baird, Corbin Alvord and Jake Lundin. Baird, a two-time All-American and Corner Canyon alum, is entering his Junior year ready to lead the defense. Alvord (Weber HS), who was an Honorable All-American last year, is also entering his Junior season and is one of the best D-Mids in the country. Lundin is entering his Senior year and is coming off two straight 2nd Team All-American teams at the faceoff position. The Green Canyon alum went 202-54 at the X last season and has been a huge part of the Wolverines success the past few seasons.
While the core is solid, the support is also in place for the Wolverines to make a statement. Familiar names like McKay Lock, Taylor Bezzant, Eric Neilson and others are ready to roll. The Wolverines also added transfers: Parker Robbins (Westminster), Tyson Mauri (Southern Virginia) and Patrick Thomas (Rollins).
Captains this year for the Wolverines are McKay Lock, Jackson (Boo) Rehrer and Jack Baird.
“Our captains are selected by their teammates,” said Maxfield. “We go throughout fall relying on all of our senior class for leadership, and at the end of the semester allow our team to vote and select their captains for Spring.”
Joining Maxfield on the sidelines will be Chris Carpenter, Max Sturgill and Brandon Donatelli.
“Like past years teams, we have a ton of talent and athleticism but the focus is on the team not the individuals,” said Maxfield. “We are bought into playing a way that allows the whole to be more than the sum of the parts. We have all the pieces to play a fun, exciting brand of lacrosse that will hopefully challenge our opponents in all facets of the game. Settled 6v6, transition, riding, clearing, and sub games. If executed directly, it should be fun to watch!”
The Wolverines won the RMLC tournament last year and fell in the semifinals of the National Tournament to Georgia Tech. Will this year’s team be able to get back to the championship and bring home the hardware?
2026 Utah Valley Schedule
2/7 v. Utah Tech
2/12 @ Grand Canyon
2/14 @ Arizona State
2/21 v. Texas
2/28 v. Oregon State
3/11 @ Santa Clara
3/13 @ Cal Poly
3/21 v. Minnesota @ Boise State
3/22 @ Boise State
3/28 v. South Carolina
4/3 v. BYU
4/9 @ Colorado State
4/11 @ Colorado
4/18 v. Utah
BYU Lands at No. 2 in Preseason Poll
Brigham Young, a perennial title contender in the MCLA, were tabbed as the No. 2 team in the country in the 2026 USA Lacrosse MCLA D-I Preseason Poll. The Cougars, who have five MCLA National Championships are no strangers to being a favorite year in and year out.
Looking at the squad this year, it’s no wonder the pollsters think highly of the Cougars. In fact, BYU was picked as the No. 1 team in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference preseason poll. Four All-Americans from last season return and make up the middle of the Cougar lineup.
At attack, Gavin Taylor (Senior, American Fork), is looking to lead the Cougars on and off the field as he occupies the lone captain spot on the team. Taylor was named the RMLC Offensive Player of the Year last year and 2025 2nd Team MCLA All-America Attack. In the midfield, Stew Vassau (Senior, Mercer Island, WA) will lead between the boxes. Vassau is coming off a 2nd Team MCLA All-American campaign. You’ll find Taylor Crump (Senior, American Fork) all over the field as an LSM and reigning Honorable Mention All-American. In goal, Easton Wilkey (Junior, Timpanogos) is back and ready to add to his save total which sits as 440 after two seasons. Wilkey earned a spot on the 3rd Team MCLA All-American squad last year.
With any great team, you need a full cast and the Cougars are blessed with depth. Joining Taylor at attack is Cade Kirschner and the versatile Hutton Murphy who can play attack or midfield. Murphy was the 2025 RMLC Rookie of the Year. The Bennion brothers, Chase and Carson, are ready to dominate at the X while Easton Carter, Jack Leiseth, Devin Nyguen and Isaac Anderson support the defense.
Transfers include a pentad of standouts with NCAA experience: Mason Quick (Corner Canyon/Utah), Isaac Hanson (Brighton/UMBC), JP Jones (Park City & Skyline (WA)/Manhattan), Miles Mecham (Eagle (ID)/Southern Virginia) and Mason Esplin (Corner Canyon/Piedmont).
“This will be a fun team to watch play,” said Schneck. “We have lots of talent on both sides of the ball and in between the box lines. As always, we have significant turn over from season to season, but we learn to adapt and build around the talent we have.”
BYU won its last National Championship in 2024 but fell in the semifinals last year to eventual champion, Liberty. The rematch for that game will be on March 20 in Tennessee.
2026 BYU Schedule
2/7 v. Nevada
2/12 @ Arizona State
2/14 @ Grand Canyon
2/19 v. Texas
2/28 v. Oregon
3/6 @ Boise State
3/7 v. Simon Fraser @ Boise State
3/18 v. Auburn @ Tennessee
3/20 v. Liberty @ Tennessee
3/21 @ Tennessee
4/3 @ Utah Valley
4/9 @ Colorado
4/11 @ Colorado State
4/15 v. Utah
4/18 v. Utah Tech
MCLA All-Americans
USA Lacrosse also released its MCLA Preseason All-Americans. Three Wolverines (Yates, Lundin, Baird) and two Cougars (Taylor, Wilkey) made the list.
Club
Mad Dog Announces Utah Program
One of the premier lacrosse clubs in the country is coming to Utah. Mad Dog announced on Saturday that Colin Maxfield will become the Director for Mad Dog Utah. Players who are interested can fill out the interest form and follow on Instagram.
Sandstorm Results
The legendary Sandstorm tournament was this past weekend with several teams from Utah participating.
In the Girls divisions, the Utah Wild went 5-1 and lost in the semifinals of their bracket. Utah Lynx went 3-2, True Force Black went 1-4, Elevate TopGun Blue finished 4-1 (lost in the semis), Elevate TopGun White went 2-3 and Elevate TopGun Black went 2-2-1. In the 2028 A division, Utah Lynx finished 1-4.
801 Tribe 2026 finished 2-3 and 801 Tribe 2027 finished 3-2 in the boys divisions.
Notes
PLL To Open 2026 Season in Utah, Return for Playoffs in September
The Premier Lacrosse League announced last week that the league will open its 2026 in Utah on May 8-11 at Zions Bank Stadium. The league will also return on September 7 for the semifinals. View full schedule.
Salt Lake Storm Teaches Box At Boys & Girls Club
The Salt Lake Storm and the Utah Spikes NLL UnBOXed™ Community initiative recently visited the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. Read all about it on the NLL website.
Interview w/ Brad Lavoie
Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Westminster Head Coach Brad Lavoie for the Utah Lacrosse Report Podcast. We talked about the upcoming season, coming to Utah, scheduling quirks and how the Griffins pick captains. Listen here!
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That’s all for now, see you next week!
Absolutely fantastic breakdown of the lacrosse scene! Ghitelman's approach to honoring Park City's tradiiton while pushing the program forward really resonates - my nephew plays at the JV level and you can feel the culture shift when a coach respects whats already there. The depth on UVU's roster is insane, especially with those transfers stepping in.