New England Lacrosse Journal‘s Chasing The Goal Seamans Media

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 Journey02:44 Coaching During COVID-1904:54 Challenges of Coaching High School Lacrosse12:30 The Role of Video Production in Lacrosse19:29 JV Coaching Stories30:31 A Scrimmage Lesson31:09 Varsity vs JV: Proving Yourself31:43 Small Things Matter in Lacrosse32:34 Game of Execution33:18 Coaching Philosophy and Experience34:11 D1 Bracket Analysis35:36 Massachusetts Lacrosse Drama48:30 Division 2 Bracket Insights54:11 Concluding Thoughts and Predictions

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 Move02:52 Coaching Journey: From Brookline to North Andover05:35 Coaching Philosophy and Style11:34 Impact of Coaching on Players' Lives16:19 Challenges and Realizations in Coaching20:26 Adapting Coaching Methods21:43 Season Overview and Tournament Discussion22:40 Reflecting on Last Season's Challenges22:56 Building a Strong Schedule23:10 Current Season Performance23:20 Team Composition and Key Players23:54 Game Highlights and Key Matches24:51 Player Development and Future Goals25:36 Coaching Strategies and Adjustments29:13 Offensive Tactics and Plays34:47 Defensive Strategies and Zone Attacks37:44 Upcoming Game Against Bedford40:40 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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/