THE 2024 SEASON HAS BEGUN! Coaches Poll, Coaches Spotlight, Mental Health in Athletes, and College Lacrosse
THE 2024 SEASON HAS BEGUN! Coaches Poll, Coaches Spotlight, Mental Health in Athletes, and College Lacrosse
By: McKenzie Christiansen, Megan Chambers and Dane Stewart
Lacrosse season is officially underway! Congratulations to all the athletes who have made their respective high school teams. It's a privilege to wear your school's uniform and take to the field to play the game we love.
This week, we dive into the top 10 teams in Utah with the Coaches Poll, shine a spotlight on new coach Holly Ryan, explore the topic of mental health in athletes, and provide updates on men's and women's college lacrosse.
A friendly reminder for the ladies: Nationals tryouts are happening this month. Don't miss your chance to showcase your skills!
Girls coaches, this time of year can be hectic, making it challenging to find the time to teach proper stat tracking techniques. Fortunately, this document was created by the Buechners and Colin Gill at Skyridge (2023) to assist us all during this busy period.
ULR sponsors make this all possible. Visit our title sponsors Tribal West Lacrosse (website) & MinersTown Strength and Condition(website).
Tribal West Lacrosse is offering free shipping during the 2024 season by using promo code FREESHIP24 at tribalwest.com
It comes as no surprise that there hasn't been much movement in the rankings this week, as tryouts are in full swing and teams are focused on solidifying their rosters.
No.1 Corner Canyon- Sitting confidently at the top spot, Corner Canyon continues to showcase their dominance on the lacrosse field.
No. 2 Olympus- Olympus maintains their strong position in the rankings, demonstrating consistency and determination.
No. 3 Brighton- With a solid record and impressive gameplay, Brighton secures their place among the top contenders in Utah lacrosse.
No. 4 Park City- Park City's formidable presence earns them a spot in the top five, as they continue to compete at a high level.
No. 5 Fremont- Fremont's stellar performance from 2023 keeps them firmly in the top tier of Utah lacrosse teams, as they have proven to be a force to be reckoned with.
No. 6 Davis- Davis remains a formidable opponent, as showcased their talent and resilience in every match they played in 2023.
No. 7 Farmington- Rising through the ranks, Farmington's determined efforts land them a spot in the top ten, as they continue to make strides in Utah lacrosse.
No. 8 Alta- Alta's competitive spirit and skillful play ensure their presence among the top teams, as they strive for success in this season.
No. 9 American Fork- American Fork's strong performances earn them a spot in the top ten, as they delivered impressive results on the field last season.
No. 10 Lone Peak- Rounding out the top ten, Lone Peak demonstrates their prowess in lacrosse, and will be showcasing their talent and determination in every match.
No.1 Olympus – Olympus rises a position in this week's rankings in the Coaches’ Poll as we commence the season with tryouts. Coach Zana reflects positively on their tryouts, expressing satisfaction with their outcome. Regarding the transition from halves to quarters, Coach Zana acknowledges it may require some adaptation but hopes the adjustment will be swift.
No. 2 Park City – Coach Mikki Clayton with the Park City girls remains in the top 10 but has slipped a position in the Coaches' Poll, with Olympus taking their place. Coach reflects on the recent tryouts, noting the challenge of selecting from a talented pool for both JV and Varsity teams. She mentions the excitement among the players for the switch to quarters in girls lacrosse this year, highlighting the anticipation for a new dynamic while emphasizing that the essence of the game remains unchanged.
No. 3 Bingham – Bingham Girls Lacrosse climbs two positions in this week's coaches' poll as Head coach Courtney McCabe reflects on successful tryouts, commending the players' focus and hustle, expressing excitement for the upcoming season. Coach McCabe looks forward to transitioning to quarters instead of halves, noting its benefits from the college game, particularly in maintaining a faster pace. She believes this adjustment will suit Bingham well, especially with their smaller roster, allowing for quicker adjustments and implementations without the need for halftime or timeouts.
No. 4 Mountain Ridge – Mountain Ridge drops to the number 4 position in the coaches' poll this week. Coach Angie Maughan expresses enthusiasm for the turnout at tryouts, welcoming 16 new players to the program and recognizing promising talent. She finds it exciting to observe how the teams function as they are split. Regarding the switch to quarters, Coach Maughan mentions since their starting lineup receives the majority of playing time, the quarters will be a welcomed break and aid in making necessary adjustments.
No. 5 Lone Peak – As the first week of the season and tryouts concludes, the Lone Peak High School girls lacrosse team slips one position in the coaches' poll. Head coach Weslie Lundell expresses excitement for the upcoming season, noting a successful tryout week with the discovery of new talent. Both returning and new players have shown dedication and hunger. While there aren't many changes to the game this year, transitioning to quarters is anticipated eagerly. Coach Lundell believes quarters offer both excitement and challenges, providing teams with multiple opportunities to shift momentum. They emphasize the importance of starting each quarter strong to maintain an edge.
No. 6 Brighton – Brighton Girls Lacrosse maintains their position at number 6 in the coaches' poll. Coach Nash reports successful tryouts with a strong turnout and impressive performances, making selection challenging. She expresses excitement about the talent and positive team culture across both JV and Varsity teams (captains pictured below). Coach Nash extends gratitude to guest evaluators for providing diverse perspectives. Regarding the switch to quarters, she welcomes the change, believing it aligns the high school game more closely with college lacrosse, which she sees as a positive move.
No. 7 Farmington – At the close of the first week of the season and tryouts, the Farmington High School girls lacrosse team maintains their seventh-place position in the coaches' poll.
No. 8 Corner Canyon – Corner Canyon moves up a position in the coaches' poll this week, a recognition that head coach Matt Kenning finds honorable and indicative of their standing as a top-ten team. Coach Kenning anticipates a young and athletic team, promising a fun and exciting season ahead. Despite competing in what he considers the strongest region in the state, they welcome the challenge and vow to be prepared for the tough competition week in and week out.
No. 9 Herriman – Herriman High School’s girls lacrosse team eagerly enter the top 10 in this week’s coaches’ poll, a recognition well earned, and wishes for a successful season ahead.
No. 10 Woods Cross - Entering this week's top 10 in the coaches' rankings, Woods Cross claims the 10th position. Head Coach McKenzie Christiansen shares their successful tryout experience, highlighting a unique approach that included two training days before tryouts, focusing on crucial drills and skills for evaluation. They also arranged for a rules class conducted by an official from the Utah Officials organization, enhancing players' game understanding. By filming tryouts, they effectively assessed all players across various stages of practice. With a mix of first-year athletes and returning members for the 2024 season, Coach Christiansen expresses confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the transition to quarters.
New Coach Spotlight: Holly Ryan
Holly Ryan takes the helm as the head coach for Cedar Valley Girls Lacrosse, stepping into the role after serving as the assistant coach in the previous season. Energized by the opportunity, this marks her inaugural season as head coach, brimming with enthusiasm to lead the team forward. As Coach Ryan states, “CVHS Girls Lacrosse is in a season of New Experiences!”, with a focus on growth, the team welcomes numerous new players alongside seasoned players poised to guide and inspire.
Recognizing the diverse range of experience levels among her players, Holly tailors her training approach to meet each individual's needs, aiming to foster success for all. Addressing the need “to work off each other” as a team versus as individuals, she will implement strategic offensive movements designed to enhance collaboration and support among players on the field which “helps give them movements that are expected and engrained to help them anticipate and see how best to support each other by giving space and options to work with”.
Through dedicated off-season practices, Holly sees her coaching vision come to life as players begin to grasp and execute the new concepts. Witnessing the positive response from her team, she is rewarded by the realization of their shared vision for improvement and growth.
Guided by her coaching philosophy “Respect builds Unity, and a unified team has Success”, Holly emphasizes the importance of mutual respect among teammates, coaches, and oneself as the foundation for achieving collective goals. With optimism and anticipation, she looks forward to the successes that await Cedar Valley Girls Lacrosse in the 2024 season.
Athlete Mental Health
The importance of mental health in athletics cannot be overstated. Good mental health aids athletes in performing at their peak, while struggles in this area can hinder performance. The interconnection between physical and mental health is significant, with student-athletes facing risks such as burnout and injuries without proper support. Team success is also impacted when athletes lack necessary resources.
Having professionals whose invaluable contribution to sports performance training is leaving a positive mark in student athletics right now. With unique approaches that emphasize introspection and self-awareness, players can simplify their approach to competition incorporating interactive elements, fostering engagement and learning. In addition, athlete mental health can delve into the realm of mental preparation and competition key elements such as habits and triggers that directly impact their individual performance and collective team dynamics.
In essence, the journey to success as student-athletes encompasses far more than physical training and skill development. It necessitates a holistic approach that acknowledges the pivotal role of mental health in athletic achievement. By fostering a supportive environment and equipping athletes with the necessary tools and resources, teams can empower their members to thrive both on and off the field
Utah Utes
Utah took back to the road this week as they returned to Milwaukee to take on Marquette. In what became a defensive battle, Utah secured back-to-back wins to wrap up their non-conference season with a 9-8 win. The win also marked the 100th career win for Head Coach Andrew McMinn.
Utah struck early with goals from Moyer and DiPonio, giving Utah a quick 2-0 lead. Jordan Hyde also scored in the first quarter as Utah took a 3-1 lead. Both offenses opened up in the second quarter, as the Eagles and Utes would each score back-to back multiple times. McMahon and Overly pushed Utah ahead 5-2, and then a pair of goals from Stines would help Utah hold a 7-6 lead at the half.
Both defenses continued their strong afternoon in the second half, but it was Cody Hart with a goal to push Utah’s lead back to a 2-goal difference, at 8-6. Marquette scored later in the period, and then immediately in the fourth to tie the game at 8, the first tie of the game.
In the fourth, it was a save by Lenskold that eventually led to an opportunity for MJ McMahon that he would score on with 7:22 left to play. A late save by Lenskold would help seal the victory for Utah as improved to 3-0 all time against Marquette.
It was a great way for Utah to close out the non-conference portion of their season. Utah outshot Marquette 33-31, and forced 8 of Marquette’s 19 turnovers. Lenskold continued to show great growth in his sophomore season as he finished with 10 saves on 18 SOG, for a .556 save percentage, his second straight game with a save percentage > .500.
With the win Utah improves to 2-3 and will get a week off as they prepare for their ASUN conference opener at Bellarmine on Saturday, March 16.
MCLA Action
Division I
#5 BYU finally got the 2024 season underway when they hosted Arizona State Saturday. They say good things happen to those that wait, well the wait for the 2024 season for BYU ended up being very good as BYU slammed ASU 23-7. It was a strong season debut for the #5 ranked Cougars. No official stats have been reported yet.
BYU will host Northeastern Monday before heading to Vegas next weekend to play Nevada and Green Canyon
Utah proved to be rude hosts of the #7 Northeastern Huskies this week. Not only did they welcome to top-ten Huskies to Utah “Spring weather”, but they also let the Huskies leave with their third loss of the year, a 13-12 overtime victory for the Utes. It was the Freshman Griffin Buhrmann that scored the game-winner in OT as he helped propel Utah to two straight victories.
Utah will enjoy a bye weeks before heading out to Oregon for battles with Oregon and Oregon State next weekend.
#4 Utah Valley had a two-day home stand hosting top 25 teams this week, Arizona State and Northeastern. The Wolverines confidently beat Arizona State 19-16 on Friday, and then had maybe their strongest win of the year defeating #7 Northeastern 9-3 at the Geneva Fields in the uncomfortable March weather. Northwestern scored first to go up 1-0, but five straight Wolverine goals saw UVU take a 5-1 lead at the break. The Huskies scored a couple to get to within 3, but UVU regained momentum going up 9-3 before Northeastern called it.
UVU will host Utah Tech next weekend at Geneva Fields.
Division II
#20 Utah State had two scheduled home games this week, hosting No 22 College of Idaho and Southern Utah. The Aggies notched a 18-10 win over the Coyotes. The Aggies top scorers continued to find the back of the net as Bryson Fell scored 3 goals, and Freshman Caleb Taylor (who leads USU with 7 goals this year) scored a pair in the win. An impressive day for Bostin Preisler, including a .583 save percentage helped stifle the Yotes offense enough for USU to secure their third win of the year.
The Aggies will head out to California this week, taking on Cal State San Marcos, San Diego, and UC San Diego
Utah Valley Women’s Lacrosse had a triumphant outing during their recent trip to Arizona. On March 1, 2024, they faced off against Arizona State, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 10-6. The game showcased Utah Valley's adeptness on the lacrosse field, as they effectively executed their game plan with skillful plays and cohesive teamwork.
Additionally, Utah Valley University displayed their strength in a thrilling match against Grand Canyon, resulting in a 17-12 victory. The game was a testament to the resilience and determination of both teams, with Utah Valley demonstrating their prowess throughout the match. Despite Grand Canyon's fierce efforts, Utah Valley maintained their momentum and secured the win with a series of well-executed plays.
Standout performances from players like Paige DeVries and Layla Cates from Grand Canyon added intensity to the match, but Utah Valley's cohesive team effort ultimately prevailed. The game highlighted the competitive spirit and skill of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting lacrosse season ahead.
Utah Team tryouts are scheduled for March 23rd from 8-11am at Brighton High’s Turf Field (indoor or outdoor, weather dependent) and interested players must register for tryouts online with an active USA Lacrosse membership.
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