Rochester Chapter Sponsors Level 2 Training
November 30, 2018 - 
The Rochester chapter of US Lacrosse is, once again, offering an educational program for coaches of both the men's program and the women's program on Sunday, December 9th at Gates Chili High School.
This time the programs are for Level 2 coaches, who have already taken the Level I course. "The Level 2 curriculum is geared toward coaching players who have an understanding of the basic skills and objectives of the game. Coaches also will learn how practice planning fits into overall tactical objectives for their season. Coaches will receive detailed instruction on building the tactical elements of their team based on overarching principles for offense, defense and transition."
The program will run from 8:00AM to 4:00PM and pre-registration is required at the National web site. The cost for participants is $25.00 with the local Chapter helping with the cost.
Gananda Looking for Games
November 30, 2018 - 
The Gananda School District is looking for two varsity games for both the boys and the girls teams and two JV games for the girls team for this spring.
Contact John Tichacek, Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education, at JTichacek@gananda.org if interested.
The Ivy League Gets DiGiovanni
November 27, 2018 - 
Pittsford junior midfielder Ben DiGiovanni has announced his commitment continue to study and to play lacrosse at Dartmouth College after his graduation in 2020.
Last year, as a sophomore, the lock-down midfielder gave the Panthers twenty-six points in fifteen games and was named to the MC-D2 honorable mention list.
In the off-season Ben plays club lacrosse for Sweetlax Upstate and is also a member of the Sweetlax National program. He attended the Maverik Showtime in both 2016 and 2018, was named to the All-Star Game at the 2017 Sweetlax Summer Invitational and was previewed as a top player to watch at the NLF Power 18 Event, featuring some of the best players in the class of 2020.
Ben has been with the Sweetlax program since the 6th grade and has been a member of the 2020 team from its inception.
He plans to study either medicine or economics at Dartmouth.
Emmick Signs for St. Bonaventure
November 20, 2018 - 
Jacob Emmick signed his national letter of intent to study and play lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University in a signing event at Penfield High School yesterday.
The senior attackman scored fifty-seven points (27g-30a) last season, his second on the Varsity, as he helped the Patriots to their first Section V Championship since 2012. Highlights from his junior year must include his team leading 2g-3a performance in a 9-7 win against West Islip early in the season. He was one of six Patriots earning over thirty points last year. For his efforts, Jake won second team All-League honors (MC-d1).
St. Bonaventure is adding an NCAA Division I team this season after playing intercollegiate lacrosse form 1989-1993 when they moved to club status. Coach Randy Mearns was appointed as Head Coach in 2017 and spent a year pulling together a team for the 2019 season. Jake will be joining Austin Blumbergs (Penn Yan) who is a freshman on the 2019 team.
Victor Celebrates Four with NLIs
November 20, 2018 - There were ten student-athletes at the Victor national letter of intent signing today and four of them were defensemen on the boy's lacrosse team.
Sutton Boland honored his earlier verbal commitment to Penn State University when he signed his NLI. The senior defenseman is a two-time Section Five All-Tournament Team member in Class B. Last year he was honored with a first team All-League patch in Monroe Count (D-1). He also led the Blue Devils in both ground ball production with 87 and in take-aways with 17.
Riley Hauf signed his national letter of intent to study and play lacrosse at Mount St. Mary's University. (Maryland). Last year the defenseman picked up 19 ground balls and recorded seven take-aways. The Mountaineers are an NCAA Division I team playing in the Northeast Conference.
The University of Tampa picked up senior defenseman Ben Yacovonis. The Spartans are an NCAA Division II team playing in the Sunshine State Conference. Currently playing are: Jordan Bobbo (Fairport), Alex Starr (Pittsford), Joe Carey (Thomas) and Max Lambert (Victor).
Cameron Yost is a senior defenseman who signed his NLI for Canisius College in Buffalo. The Golden Griffins are an NCAA Division I team playing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Currently playing are Dylan Joy (Gananda), Brady D`Hont (Penfield), Jacob Buck (Churchville-Chili and Anthony Pezzimenti (Victor).
Sonny Imburgia signs Binghamton NLI
November 20, 2018 - 
Sonny Imburgia signed a national letter of intent for Binghamton University at a signing event at Pittsford yesterday.
The senior attackman will start his fourth year on Varsity with a record of 59g-29a. In in sophomore year he was named to the All Tournament team in Class A and he was named to the second team All-League in 2018.
Among his junior year highlights: A 2g-2a game in the Panthers 8-7 win over Schroeder, a four goal game against Canandaigua and a five goal game against Hilton.
He will join Pittsford Alum Jon Perotto on the Bearcat roster with Head Coach Kevin McKeown.
Jon Gaglio Signs for Wheeling Jesuit
November 20, 2018 - 
Jon Gaglio signed a national letter of intent as he plans to study and play at Wheeling Jesuit (West Virginia).
The McQuaid Jesuit senior goalie has a two-year record of 231 saves (51%) after posting a 53% season last year with 664 minutes in the goal. He was a first team All-League (GRALL) goalie in 2018.
Highlights for last season certainly must include a 71% save day in the Knights' win over Penn Yan, his 62% day in their win against Canandaigua and his 59% day in McQuaid's win against Archbishop Curley in April.
Wheeling Jesuit Head Coach Landon Delprince will start his fourth year at the helm after a four-year stint as a player for the Cardinals where he was one of the top scorers in program history. The Cardinals are a Division II team playing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Fingar and Petersen Sign for Albany
November 20, 2018 - 
Jack Peterson and Conner Fingar signed national letters of intent to study and play lacrosse at SUNY Albany after graduation next spring.
Peterson is a defenseman with the Mustangs and has been playing on the Varsity for four years. Penn Yan is an independent team, so awards are limited, but Peterson was named to the D&C All Greater Rochester Honorable Mention list last year. He is using the winter to get ready for lacrosse after a successful senior season in football where he was named Finger Lakes East All Star and Lineman of the Year. He hopes to study business at Albany.
Fingar, a midfielder, will start his fifth year with the Varsity with a record of 11g-60a after scoring sixty-eight points last year. He was named the MVP of the Class D tournament all-star team after posting fifteen points in the tournament. He was also named MVP, as a sophomore, in the 2017 tournament.
Great Dane Head Coach, Scott Marr, has done well with Section Five alums. Currently playing are Peter Schwab (Penfield), Pat Barrow (Victor) and Michael Kozar (Fairport).
Stevie Katz Signs for Hurst
November 20, 2018 - 
Stevie Katz signed his national letter of intent to study and play lacrosse at Mercyhurst University after graduation next spring.
The senior defenseman/long stick midfielder scored five goals and two assists last season. He won second team All-League honors (MC-d2) as an LSM. The Titans were 16-3 last year behind strong defensive play that allowed only 133 goals against.
Mercyhurst University is a magnet for Section Five players. Head Coach Chris Ryan (Irondequoit) has eight current alum: Ben Smith-Wilcox (Canandaigua), Justin Sale (Irondequoit), Mike Coholan (Irondequoit), Justin Sale (Irondequoit), Matt Sherman (Irondequoit), Jarrett Cook (McQuaid), Nicholas Mabe (Thomas) and Ryan TerHaar (Churchville-Chili).
2018 Hall of Fame Class Dinner
November 3, 2018 -
The Greater Rochester Chapter of US Lacrosse held their twenty-fifth Hall of Fame dinner Friday night at the Burgundy Basin Inn in Pittsford.
With more than one hundred and fifty in attendance, teammates, friends and family along with many members of the Hall of Fame, gathered to induct five individuals, and two teams into the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Chapter President, Al McLiverty welcomed the fans and families and introduced a seventeen current Hall of Fame members in attendance which included, Tim Pease (2017), Don Wright (2017), Mike Riorden (2016), Terry Corcoran (2015), Scott Schwind (2014), David Wilbur (2013), Patty Queener (2012), Mike Simon (2009), Rich Curtis (2009), John Johnson (2008), Mark Rice (2008), David Moore (2006), Paul Wilson (2005), Paula Summit (2004), Harry Queener (2004), Peter Burkardt (2003) and Frank Mangione (2001).
After dinner Mike Riorden took over as Masters of Ceremonies with help from Scott Schwind. Mike Riorden reviewed each inductee's accomplishments as and the audience followed along in the program. The inductees then gave their speeches and received their awards. (program available here). Pictures from the event.
STORY CONTINUES
Rule Changes for 2019 Announced
September 27, 2018 - The NFHS Rules Committee has announced their list of rules changes for 2018 and have been approved by the FHHS Board of Directors. 
Over a dozen changes have been made starting with three in the equipment section, three in the play of the game section, six in the personal foul section and four in the technical foul section.
Some of the interesting changes include:
- Beginning in 2021 goalie chest protectors must meet NOCSAE safety standards.
- A new definition of a shot which states that it must be made when the ball is parallel to or above the goal line extended. It also states that the shot can be from a stick or can be kicked or otherwise physically propelled.
- A goal is not counted if, at the end of a period, under certain conditions.
- The "over and back" rules has new definitions about what can happen on the center line.
- There is a strengthening of the rules that relate to checking a player including the area of "blindsiding".
- Contact with the head or neck not incurs a three-minute non-releasable foul and could result in an ejection.
- A coach on the filed who obstructs play can receive an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
- There are definitions for holding that state what is and is not permissible.
The full press release is available here. You can also see information on the NFHSA website.
Craig Lapiane New Coach at Hilton
August 25, 2018 - 
The first coaching change for 2019 has been made as Hilton Head Coach Sean Roche has been replaced with Craig Lepiane.
A graduate of Irondequoit High School in 2004 Craig received All-American honors at MCC, where he set scoring records. He then moved on to Ithaca College where he was named an All-American twice.
More recently he has been worked for the IMG Academy and in 2017 was named the Upstate region Manager for 3dlacrosse.
Coach Lepiane will be the sixth coach of the Cadets since their first year in 2003 under Pete Richie.
2018 Season Wrap Up
June 14, 2018 - Section Five lacrosse saw some changes in teams as Greece combined four schools into the Greece Storm and Livonia joined with Avon to form the Lakers. The Rochester city schools combined to form East United. With the changes and combinations, there were thirty-five teams and 942 players. Fairport carried the largest roster with forty players and Batavia had the smallest with sixteen.
There were, once again, four classes for the sectional and NYS tournaments. Three of the four top seeded won their championships. Victor (#1) beat Thomas (#2) in two overtimes in Class B. In Class C Geneva (#1) defeated Wayne (#2) and in Class D, Penn Yan (#1) won their twenty-third title as they had a victory over Aquinas (#6). The Little Irish beat both Pal-Mac (#3) and Gananda (#2) in dramatic fashion to make the finals. In Class A, Penfield (#2) beat Fairport (#1) by a single goal (9-8) to win their first championship since 2013.
The first game of the season was played on March 22nd, when Bath defeated Notre Dame 16-3. The last regular season game was played when Fairport beat Corning 6-4. The 308 regular season games were played and helped to determine the league championships. In Monroe County it was Victor (MC1), Webster Thomas (MC2) and HF-L (MC3). Gananda was the Finger Lakes Champion and McQuaid Jesuit won the GRALL title.
At the end of the year, the Section Five Head Coaches met to select post-season awards. The coaches selected their All League players. Then, after reviews of over thirty nominations, they selected six US Lacrosse All-Americans and six All-Academics. Named All-Americans were Reese Burek (Fairport), Trevor Ford (Thomas), Garrett Ruff (HF-L), Alexander Mabbett (Victor), Brady McDermott (Brighton) and Chayse Ierlan (Victor) who was named for the second time. Named US Lacrosse All-Academics were Jack Billitier (McQuaid), Mitchell Cain (Victor), Jacob Buck (Churchville-Chili), Austin Blumbergs (Penn Yan), Matt Hill (Thomas) and Erik Jakobsze (Schroeder).
The Monroe County Division 1 Player of the Year was Chayse Ierlan. Brady McDermott was the Division 2 Player of the Year. The Bob Scott nominees were Dan Taddeo (Penfield), Matt Hill (Thomas) and Garrett Ruff (HF-L). The Section Five and US Lacrosse Bob Scott Award winner was Dan Taddeo (Penfield).
The Finger Lakes Players of the Year were attackman Brett Cunningham (Gananda), midfielder Jake Gallina (Pal-Mac), defenseman Joe Camp (Wayne) and goalie Jake Drennen (Geneva). The Finger Lakes Player of the Year was defenseman Jake Drennen (Geneva).
The GRALL Player of the Year was attackman Jack Billitier (McQuaid).
East United (Class A), Canandaigua (Class B), Honeoye Falls-Lima (Class C) and Penn Yan (Class D) were awarded the Steve Morgan Sportsmanship Awards by the Genesee Valley Lacrosse Officials Association.
After the regular season, there are several championship opportunities for teams that qualify. Penfield (Class A), Victor (Class B), Geneva (Class C) and Penn Yan (Class D) were the Sectional Champions in 2018.
All Tournament teams were selected for each Class. The MVPs for A, B, C and D were Jack Cummings (Penfield), Sam Lambert (Victor), Sam Miller (Geneva) and Connor Fingar (Penn Yan).
The SportsFive Players of the Year were Trevor Ford (Thomas) in offense and Chayse Ierlan (Victor) in defense. The Sportsman of the Year was Corey Yunker (Churchville-Chili).
The final games of the year are the New York State Tournament. Section Five hosted two of the semifinals and all four Championship games at St. John Fisher College.
In Class A, Penfield lost to Lancaster (Section 6), 11-7. In Class B, Victor beat Hamburg (Section 6) 15-3 and East Syracuse-Minoa (Section 3) to make it to their fourth straight finals, where despite an exciting comeback, lost in the last eight seconds to Garden City. In Class C, Geneva lost to West Seneca East (Section 6), 8-6 and in Class D, Penn Yan beat Akron (Section 6) in overtime, 10-9. The Mustangs then defeated Chenango Forks (Section 4), 10-7, to make it to the championship round where they fell to an overpowering Pleasantville (Section 1).
At the end of the season sixty-four seniors have made college commitments. They will join the over three hundred and twenty players from Section Five who are currently playing at all college levels.
2018 NYS Championships
June 9, 2018 - Pleasantville came into the State Final game for the first time in their program history and defeated Penn Yan 16-2. The Panthers have made the State Semi Finals in the past, but this was their first time at the big game. Both teams played a close game for the first quarter before Pleasantville pulled away. The Panthers held the Mustangs scoreless for the final 36 minutes as they slowly added to their offensive count. Story Continues...
Ward Melville came to play and won their tenth NYS Title. Today, they defeated perennial rival West Genesee 15-2. The Patriots have faced the West Genesee 7 times in the State Finals and with today’s win move to 4-3 against the Wildcats. The Patriots took early control of the game with four unanswered goals to start off the game and never really looked back. They increased their lead through the final 33 minutes where they held West Genesee scoreless. Story Continues...
Garden City returned to the State Finals for the first time since 2013 when they won the title game over Jamesville-Dewitt 13-8. Today they defeated the three-time defending State Champion Victor Blue Devils. The Trojans came to win and took and early 3-1 lead that they never quite gave back. The first and fourth quarters were a flurry of activity while the middle two quarters showed a lot of testing from both teams. The Trojans were led in offensive by junior James Basile (3g) and Liam Muldoon (2g-1a). Basile’s final goal was the winning goal that was scored with 0:01 remaining on the clock. Story Continues...
Islip came into the State Finals game after winning the first Section XI Title in their program history. They faced off against Westhill, who also won their first Sectional Title (Section III). Islip was led in scoring by Mike Bienkowski, who was named Class C Most Valuable Player. Beinkowski was demonstrative on the offense. He scored or assisted the first six goals and led his offense throughout. The Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award was given to junior goalie Devin DeGennaro who finished with 8 saves. Story Continues...
Penn Yan and Victor Advance to Championship
June 6, 2018 - Penn Yan scored eight of the last nine goals in their 10-7 win over Chenango Forks. The Mustangs return to the Finals for the first time since 2016. In 2016, they lost to Cold Spring Harbor 15-4. The Mustangs won the State Title in 2001 over Manhasset 9-8. For this year's Tournament, Penn Yan will face Pleasantville, who defeated Mattituck 20-7 in the other Semi Final game.
The leading scorer tonight for the Mustangs was Colton Smith, who finished with 1g-4a. Austin Blumbergs finished with 4g and was instrumental at the face-off to give the Mustangs possession through the second half. Overall, Penn Yan won 11 straight face-offs to finish the game. Story Continues...
Victor scored six unanswered goals in the opening quarter in their 18-3 win over East Syracuse Minoa. The Blue Devils return to the State Finals for the fourth consecutive season. The three time defending Champions will face Garden City who defeated John Jay 14-4 to make it to the Finals. The Blue Devils defeated Yorktown in 2017, Ward Melville in 2016 (playing in Class A), and Manhasset in 2015.
Victor’s scoring began 0:34 into the game when goalie Chayse Ierlan took the ball upfield and scored an unassisted goal. In Ierlan’s five years on Varsity it is only his second goal. The first was during his sophomore year vs. Cazenovia. Overall, the Blue Devils had 11 players make their offensive scorebook. Camden Hay led with 4g-1a. Sam Lambert (1g-2a), Connor Keenan (3g) and Andrew Russell (2g-2a) also added to the totals. Faceoff midfielder Tuck Hill finished 11/16 and a team leading six groundballs. Defenseman Tanner Hay led in takes with 2.
After winning their first Sectional Title in program history, Westhill moves on to the State Finals with a 17-3 win over West Seneca East. West Seneca East also celebrated their first Sectional Title this year. Westhill came into game strong and scored 10 of the first 11 goals to take a strong lead into the second half. They scored nine straight goals spanning the first three quarters. The Warriors return to St. John Fisher to face Islip who defeated Pelham Memorial 14-4 to advance to the Finals. Story Continues...
NOTE: Both Westhill and West Seneca East came to the game with white jerseys. The St. John Fisher College Lacrosse team provided West Seneca East with jerseys for the game. When the game was over the boys switch back to their uniforms for the presentation ceremonies.
Victor and Penn Yan Continue to Final Four
June 2, 2018 - Saturday: DAY IN REVIEW:Section Five had two winners in the New York State quarter finals in Buffalo today and two that finished their seasons. Penn Yan overcame a six-goal deficit to beat Akron in overtime and Victor scored the first thirteen goals and beat Hamburg 15-3. Penfield scored two quick goals in the third quarter to tie at 5-5 but eventually fell to Lancaster 11-7. After Geneva posted a 6-2 lead, West Seneca-East rallied for an 8-6 win the Class C.
One thing that both Penn Yan and Victor have in common is their steadfast belief in themselves and their ability to work back out of a hole. The Mustangs found themselves in such difficulty when Akron (17-2) scored six goals in the first half and at one points was ahead 6-1. Starting out with the first two goals, but the Tigers then scored six in a row and after a last second goal by Penn Yan, the half ended with the Tigers up 6-3. Two quick goals by Austin and Chase Blumbergs in less than a minute was followed by a couple by Conner Finger which resulted in a 9-9 tie. Both teams scored high intensity goals and Kaleb Delaney scored with 17 seconds left to force overtime. Almost three minutes of overtime ended with Austin Blumbergs scored the unassisted game winner. Pen Yan will return to St. John Fisher College on Wednesday (4:00 PM) to play Chenango Forks (Section 4) who surprisingly beat Christian Brothers Academy 9-8 this afternoon.
After a double overtime win last Wednesday, Victor had no such trouble today when they scored the first thirteen goals on their way to a 15-3 win over Hamburg (Section 6). A surprising running time started in the third quarter, when the Blue Devils went up 12-0 and starters were sent to the bench. Eleven players made the offensive book for Victor, with the leaders, Connor Keenan (3g-2a) and Sam Lambert (1g-4a). Regan Endres (7/0), Tucker Hill (6/3) and Richie Pierpont (6/0) combined for 18 face off wins. Victor will travel to Cicero North-Syracuse High School on Wednesday where, at 4:00 PM they will play East Syracuse-Minoa who earned their ticket with a 15-10 win over Vestal (Section 4).
The brackets are available:
Penn Yan wins 23rd and Victor wins in Two Overtimes
May 30, 2018 - Wednesday: DAY IN REVIEW: Penn Yan won their 23rd Section Five Title tonight with an 8-6 win over Aquinas. The Mustangs will now travel to Section 6 (All High Stadium) for a 10 AM game against Akron (17-1) on Saturday. It took two overtime periods for Victor to win their fifth consecutive Championship as Alexander Mabbett scored the game winner with a pass form Joey Pezzimenti for the 10-9 win over Webster Thomas.
Penn Yan took an early 6-1 lead and held off the late advances by Aquinas. The Little Irish scored five of the last seven goals to pull within two. The Final Aquinas goal was scored with 7:21 remaining and the final seven minutes were back and forth play with Penn Yan holding the ball and Aquinas trying to force their shots. Story Continues...
Alexander Mabbett scored with a feed from Joey Pezzimenti 1:59 into the second overtime period to give Victor the 10-9 win over Webster Thomas. This is the fifth consecutive championship win for the Blue Devils. Victor started off the game strong and took an early 5-2 in the second quarter. They continued to put up points and increased their lead to 7-3 with 9:50 remaining in the third quarter. After that Thomas put started to move. They scored four straight goals before Victor added their 8th. The Titans continued to push all the way through the fourth and into the two overtime periods. Both teams had shots at the cage in overtime and it was edge of your seat lacrosse for both periods. Story Continues...
Next up for the winners are a trip to Buffalo on Saturday where they will face the Section 6 Champions in the "Western Regional" quarter final games of the New York State Tournaments. The games will be played at All High Stadium. The schedule is:
- Class D - 10:00 AM - Penn Yan vs Akron
- Class A - 12:30 PM - Penfield vs Lancaster
- Class B - 3:00 PM - Victor vs Hamburg
- Class C - 5:30 PM - Geneva vs West Seneca East
Geneva and Penfield Win Sectional Titles
May 29, 2018 - Tuesday: DAY IN REVIEW: After a close first quarter, Geneva took off and defeated Wayne, 13-2, to capture the Class C championship, their first Section Five title since 2008. In the Class A game, Penfield held off late advances by Fairport to win 9-8.
Geneva was led in scoring by junior midfielder Sam Miller with 3g-2a. Miller was named Most Valuable Player for the Class C All Tournament Team. Geneva moves on to the State Tournament where they will face Section Six Champions which will be either West Seneca East or Eden who play tomorrow, May 30th at 7:30. Story Continues...
Penfield held off a late press by Fairport to become the Class A Champions with a 9-8 win over the Red Raiders. This is the first Sectional Title for Penfield since 2013. The Patriots and Red Raiders have now face three times in the Title Game and Penfield now has a 2-1 lead. Penfield came out in the first half and dominated the play. The Patriots scored five unanswered goals to lead 5-1 early in the second quarter. Story Continues...
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