5/25/07 - MARSHALL PRIDE
2007 Varsity Team Awards

KEVIN HIA - MVP Statesmen Varsity

MICHAEL BORN - MVP Offense

KEVIN HIA - MVP Defense

JONATHAN CHAMBERS - Unsung Hero

MATT CHAMBERLAIN - Most Improved Player

BEN YAZMAN - Coaches' Award
2007 JV Team Awards

COLLIN NEWCOMB - MVP Statesmen JV

5/7/07 - Woodson High School
WOODSON TOPS MARSHALL IN PLAYOFF'S FIRST ROUND
We faced a tough first-round opponent as the District playoffs began, and played a game in which our Statesmen represented Marshall with pride, spirit and relentless determination. Unfortunately, Woodson played a terrific game (as they have against the rest of the Liberty District) and took the game by a final score of 12-1.
-- Despite the loss, View From The Stands points out what a terrific year we got from our Statesmen lacrosse program! Especially the overall improvement in the program, the success of our JV, the participation of the Marshall community, and the sense of progress being inspired by this terrific new coaching staff, led by Head Coach Adam Vasquez.
-- Thank you to everyone who contributed so much this year. Thank you Seniors. Thank you Statesmen. And keep coming back to marshalllacrosse.org as we post more and more updates with all those great pictures from Mrs. Newcomb (livened up, as they say, by View From The Stands :-)
-- I am SO looking forward to next year! Marshall Pride!

5/1/07 - Marshall High School
SENIOR NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS END OF REGULAR SEASON
I know lacrosse is called the Fastest Sport On Two Feet, but I thought they were talking about the game not the schedule :-)
-- Our Statesmen finished the regular season with a whirlwind finish of make-up games that saw us play 5 games in 8 days, including two opponents in LAXpower's Northern Virginia Top Ten.
-- On Monday we traveled to TJ for a pair of games that were played with plenty of spirit and determination, but the end results were just plain ugly. Our JV got on the scoreboard against the Colonials in the opener, but just not frequently enough. The JV game finished with a final score of TJ 9, Marshall 3. Unfortunately, the Varsity never got on track at all in the nightcap, in which put up a whopping 17 goals. Final on that game was 17-0.
-- On Tuesday we came back home for our regular-season finale against Langley--the top-rated team in the ultra-competitive Liberty District, and the number 3 team overall in LAXpower's Northern Virginia rankings. The final scoreboards were an improvement over last year's outings against Langley, but the outcomes still showed up in the loss column. Langley took the JV win by a score of 11-3 and the Varsity win by a score of 12-1.
-- But the highlight of Tuesday night was the well-deserved recognition that our Seniors received, along with their parents and families, as part of our Senior Night celebration. The LAX program at Marshall represents a key part of the GCM community. The hard work and dedication of the players--especially those who had a chance to play all four years--and the active participation of families and supporters have helped build that sense of community. And it was genuinely heartwarming to get a chance to say Thank You.
-- Mrs. Ritchey pwns EVERYONE at Senior Parents Shootout!

At halftime, all the Senior Parents took the field and exhibited their shot-making skillz during the first-ever Senior Parents Shootout!  Mr. Le (left) was definitely a gamer, but it was Mrs. Ritchey (right) who hit the back of the net the most. Sweet! (View From The Stands says this has SO gotta become a regular Senior Night event. :-) Marshall Pride!

4/24/07 - Marshall High School
GCM BEATS JAGUARS, SPLITS WITH HIGHLANDERS
On back to back nights, the Statesmen LAX squads came out firing!
-- Monday night wwe saw the make up games against the Jaguars from Falls Church and ... WOW. After a two-week layoff since our games against Woodson, the JV squad opened up with a monster 14 goal effort and the defense held Falls Church scoring to exactly ZERO. That's the first shut out earned by a GCM squad in FOUR YEARS.
-- The Varsity came out with good intensity, but at the end of the first half the score was knotted up at four apiece. I have no idea what happened during the half, but the Statesmen who came out for the second stanza were just amazing! Within minutes, our Statesmen scored three unanswered goals, and by the end of the quarter had put in 5 goals to the Jaguars' 1. Final score for the Varsity was 9-6, Statesmen.
-- At home against McLean, our JV had a tougher time of it, but stepped up big when it counted most and finished with a sweet 7-4 victory over the Highlanders. Our JV squad now has five wins, two ties and only one loss on the season.
-- The Varsity finale against McLean was another tight affair. Our Statesmen started great, scoring the game's first two goals and taking a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter, however, went McLean's way, the answered with two goals of their own and the score at the half was deadlocked at 2-2. The second half, unfortunately, was wide open and the Highlanders put up a HUGE shots-on-goal count. Kevin Hia? Oh man, he was the talk of the night! He was blocking shots right and left. View From The Stands guessed he blocked forty. Our Stats Guy said it was really twenty. The McLean coaches said he's the best goalie they've faced all year!
-- Eventually, the shots total wore us down and the final scoreboard was Ugly Betty again ... McLean 6, Marshall 3. EVERYONE played with heart and determination.
-- No rest for the weary. Thursday we're back on the road again, for the Madison game! Be there, Statesmen fans, be there!

4/9/07 - Woodson High School
WOODSON SHOWS WHY THEY'RE IN LAXPOWER'S TOP TEN
Oh man, I thought the Groundhog didn't see his shadow this year. Winter was supposed to be over by now!
-- Unfortunately, the weather wasn't the biggest problem facing our Statesmen LAX squads, or for our hearty band of loyal followers, as we traveled to WT Woodson. Nope. Tonight the real problem was a Cavaliers offense that played ball control, showed great stick handling, and kept pummeling goalkeeper Kevin Hia with shot after shot after shot. The 15-1 final score might not show it, but View From The Stands tells me that Kevin probably had about a million saves in this game. (OK, maybe VFTS misplaced a decimal point or two, but no doubt about it--Kevin stood in there and played a whale of a game in net.)
-- Our JV squad came into tonight's game with 3 wins and 2 ties - hoping to keep the undefeated streak alive. But man, these guys were good! We had our hands full just holding 'em to a still-within-striking-distance 4-0 lead at the half. Unfortunately, the second half was all Cavaliers. John Geiger had a good day in goal with 7 saves, but we were outdone by Woodson's efficiency in collecting ground balls. We put up a goal in the 4th to make it a 10-1 final.
-- Welcome to the buzz-saw that we call the Liberty District schedule! Once again, the Liberty is packing LAXpower's Northern Virginia Top Ten. And Hayfield (who we played a couple of weeks ago) is ranked #4. Tonight we saw again what the level of competition is like at the top of this Region.
-- Of course our Statesmen played with guts and determination throughout the game, and our defense was under constant pressure from the opening whistle. We showed a ton of spirit and pride out there tonight--especially against a tough opponent like Woodson, and especially on the Caveliers' home turf--and our Statesmen put just everything on the line.
-- The schedule gives us a short breather, but then we face Langley two Fridays from now - April 20. (Buckle up!) It's a home game so BE THERE Statesmen fans! Marshall Pride!
[ Pictures and more ... ]

3/30/07 - Stone Bridge High School
SB: JV KNOCKS OFF BULLDOGS, QTR 4 UNDOES VARSITY
Both squads traveled to Stone Bridge on another gorgeous night for lacrosse. Our JV took the opener over the Bulldogs, 9-4, but our Varsity got zapped with a fourth-quarter blitz that gave Stone Bridge the win in regulation, 8-5.
-- Our JV wasn't originally scheduled to play tonight, but a last minute change by Stone Bridge sent us scurrying to try to get as many of our players there, dressed and ready to go. Which was a good thing, because the Bulldogs played us tough. Frankly, they've got some really fast players and we ended up scurrying just as much during the game as we'd done before the game. View From The Stands says our players stepped up Big Time and you could see the squad start to come together and "click"--both on offense and defense. Final score on this late-scheduled matchup, Marshall 9, Stone Bridge 4.
-- The Varsity played another tight game--carrying a 5-5 tie deep into the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs. But with the clock winding down in regulation, the Bulldogs broke through with what turned out to be a game-turning goal. Suddenly, our Statesmen had to gamble at every opportunity and the Bulldogs capitalized. And let's give 'em their due ... as we rolled into the fourth quarter, the Stone Bridge squad seemed to tap into an extra reserve. Their passing was crisp, the footwork was solid, and in a matter of minutes the 5-5 tie balooned to an 8-5 deficit.
-- We're off on Spring Break next week, but that doesn't mean "we're off" ... practices are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and of course Saturday. Be there!
[ Pictures ... ]

3/27/07 - Marshall High School
SL: JV ROMPS, VARSITY LOSES IN DOUBLE OVERTIME
Here's the quick and dirty from the South Lakes games: View From The Stands says this was a huge heartbreaker. Our Statesmen played absolutely great, putting everything on the line in a game that saw five or six lead changes. After taking a lead into halftime, our Statesmen found themselves down by two as time was running out in regulation. With an amazing comeback, our Statesmen evened it up at the very end to force the game into overtime.
-- TWO overtimes later, a critical penalty call puts us a man down and the Seahawks got the goal to win the game with an 8-7 final score.
-- While this is an improvement over last year's effort at South Lakes, it sure leaves you wanting a rematch. Like today. :-)
-- The JV saw a much different game. The Statesmen scored early and scored often. It wasn't any one particular aspect of our game or our skill levels. Instead, View From The Stands tells me, it just seemed like the Statesmen wanted it more.
-- Apparently, a LOT more. Heart and determination count for a lot out there. It seemed like we were picking up all the loose balls and running out every missed shot to keep possession in their side of the field. We put a ton of shots on goal, and that's a pretty good formula for success. Keep the ball, get shots on goal, and you're gonna have a pretty good chance of having a scoreboard look like this one. Final score in the JV game - Marshall 13, South Lakes 4.
-- Way to go Statesmen! You did us proud out there -- both squads. Friday is Stone Bridge. AT Stone Bridge. Be there Statesmen fans!
[ Pictures ... ]

3/23/07 - Marshall High School
HOME OPENERS--VARSITY FALLS, JV EARNS TIE
When the 2007 schedule showed five straight away games to start the season, Statesmen fans were really looking forward to March 23 and our first home games of the year. Unfortunately, what the schedule didn't tell us was that the Hayfield Hawks would bring a team that's shown dramatic improvements over last year. In fact, they're now in LAXpower's top ten for the entire Northern Region!
-- And wow. The Hawks put on a display of stick handling like we haven't seen in years. You've really got to give 'em their due--they played great and definitely earned this 13-1 victory over our Statesmen.
-- View From The Stands points out some real positives that our fans should take away from the game. Obviously, most of the game was played on our side of the field--which puts a huge amount of pressure on the defense and threatens to really tire you out. But our Statesmen never let down. Our enthusiasm was high throughout--we played with that look of rock solid determination that makes you proud to be a Statesmen, even when the scoreboard isn't going our way.
-- The bad news is that our starting goalie and Senior Co-Captain Kevin Hia got hurt partway through the third quarter. Fortunately, backup goalie Jon Geiger (look for his number on your JV roster) stepped up and finished out the game against a barrage of shots from an extremely talented Hayfield squad. Jon really started to "earn his stripes" out there ... the hard way :-)
-- The JV game was another defensive battle--the second low-scoring tie in as many games! And what a match. Statesmen fans need to show up early to catch this JV squad in action. These guys are playing with heart and pride and determination. View From The Stands tells me that a critical Statesmen goal was ruled not-a-goal partway through the contest--which obviously had a big effect on the 2-2 final score. As it turned out we went into the final quarter down by a 1-2 score, and battled back in the closing minutes to earn the tie. Wow.
-- Our first Liberty District contest is on Tuesday, against the Seahawks from South Lakes. You don't want to miss this one Statesmen fans. (And the weather is GORGEOUS!) Marshall Pride!

3/19/07 - George Mason High School
VARSITY FALLS 9-4 TO GEORGE MASON, JV TIES
View From The Stands says it was cold and yucky out there (yes, that's a technical term :-). Definitely cold, but frankly it was the very quick Mustangs squad that really made the night unpleasant.
-- The JV battled and fought and scratched and clawed ... but we just never got it going. Fortunately, our Statesmen defense played extremely tight--check out the bone-jarring hit by middie Craig Murphy in the picture at left!--and the final score was a hard-earned 1-1 tie. (Man, can't we do a shootout or something? :-)
-- The Varsity made a couple of nice plays, but like the JV we never got on our regular game. And against a fast team like George Mason, that meant we were always a step or two behind, reaching a lot, or running just to try to get back in the play (never a recipe for success). So the Mustangs took the nightcap by a score of 9-4.
-- Hayfield is up next, and our Statesmen are finally COMING HOME for a game! ... so ya gotta be there for this one! Small school BIG HEART. Be there Marshall fans!

3/12/07 - Dominion High School
STATESMEN WIN OPENERS OVER DOMINION
Our Statesmen lacrosse program started the 2007 season on a high note, winning both the JV and Varsity season openers in a pair of non-conference contests at Dominion High School, in Sterling. View From The Stands points out that these were also the first wins for first-year head coach Adam Vasquez and his team of enthusiastic and talented assistant coaches.
-- Our JV squad took the first game of the night by opening up a huge lead over the Titans, and then building on it. Final score - Marshall 9, Dominion 1. This is a great start for the JV, which added 6 Freshmen and 1 Sophomore to the 17 players who returned from last year.
-- The Varsity battled through a very close contest in which both teams had their share of scoring streaks. Marshall jumped out to a 6-1 lead right from the very start. But then the Titans started their comeback. Slowly but steadily, the Dulles District squad started putting points on the board, while our Statesmen just couldn't get anything past the pipes at all. Dominion scored the next four goals of the game, and closed to within 1 in the middle of the fourth quarter. (Yikes is right!) But then the Statesmen Defense really picked up the pace, slamming the door shut and creating opportunities for our offense. Marshall scored the last four goals of the game, which made the final score 10-5, Statesmen.
-- View From The Stands says it was a bit of a drive to a school where we've never played before (not that far--it was just out Route 7 and before you get to 28), but a pair of hard-earned wins sure made the ride home a lot easier :-) And what a terrific group of coaches we've got out there. (If you haven't had a chance to meet them yet, check out their bios on the coaches page.) Way to go Statesmen!
-- Next up: We travel to Falls Church on Thursday. Be there Marshall fans!

3/13/07 - Marshall Pride
SUPPORT YOUR STATESMEN BY ADVERTISING IN THE PROGRAM
Ever wonder how all those families and businesses get their advertisements published in the program that's sold at every Marshall lacrosse home game? And what about those cool ads that show support for a particular player! It's just one of the ways that the community shows its Marshall Pride at every game.
-- The deadline for new ads is March 24! Click here to see the promotional flyer (it's a PDF file), which includes rates, instructions and several examples.
-- Help out your Marshall Statesmen and see your name in bold printers' ink on like a ZILLION printed programs for as little as $50! (And if they haven't been sold yet, you still might be able to score one of the primo cover locations.) (View From The Stands points out that buying a cover costs a LOT less than a Wii Video Game console.) (More like an iPod. :-) (Think about it ... one lousy iPod in return for all that fame!) If you have any questions, contact Coach Gehley.
-- Go there, Statesmen fans! Marshall Pride!

1/31/07 - Marshall Pride
TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED AT BOOSTER MULCH SALE
Hold this date - Saturday, March 25!
-- The Marshall Lacrosse team will be supporting the Boosters Mulch Sale on Saturday, Mar. 25, from 8:00am-5:00pm. We will need to fill shifts thorughout the day. This is a major fundraiser for the Boosters - last year they raised approx $20,000 - and all spring teams will be participating. All players are expected to participate.
-- Statesmen families - look for details on this important fundraiser and use this as an opportunity to get your lawns and gardens ready for Northern Virginia summer!
-- Marshall Pride!

2/16/07 - Marshall Pride
IMPORTANT DATES - UPDATED!

Mondays & Wednesdays - Winter workouts 4:00-5:00 pm

Tuesdays, Thursday & Saturdays - Individual running/stick work

February 3 - First timed run 3:00 pm

February 6 - Recruiting information seminar (Chantilly High School, 7:30 pm)

February 17 - Final timed run & equipment handout - canceled

February 19 - Tryouts begin & equipment handout - 10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Mon.-Fri. - Daily practice 4:30-6:30 pm

February 24 - Saturday practice 9:00-11:00 am

February 28 - Spring Sports Parent Meeting

March 3 - Trip to 2007 Face-Off Classic at Ravens Stadium, Baltimore

March 7 - Preseason scrimmage vs. West Potomac at HOME

March 8 - Preseason scrimmage at Lee

March 11 - Potomac Lacrosse Clinic

March 12 - Season opener at Dominion

March 25 - Mulch Sale - Boosters

To be eligible for the lacrosse team, players must: 1) have a physical form on record in the Student Activities office, 2) provide an Emergency Care Card, 3) have passed at least five credit subjects the previous semester, and 4) be enrolled in at least five credit subjects in the current semester. (Naturally, equipment will not be be issued to any student who is not eligible for participation.)

2/3/07 - Dulles Sportsplex
POTOMAC LACROSSE CLINIC
Potomac Lacrosse, in conjunction with Leaders Lacrosse, will be hosting a 2 hour specialized instructional clinic on Sunday, Mar. 11, at the Dulles Sportsplex in Sterling. (Start times vary by age group.)
-- The program will be led by two NCAA LAX legends and current Major League Lacrosse All Stars, ANDY CORNO AND MATT WARD. (Corno will lead the session on face offs; Ward will run sessions about shooting.) We are excited about this opportunity and hope you can take advantage. There are limited spots for the clinic so sign up soon. The cost is $60 per player if you sign up before Feb. 28. After that the cost goes up to $75.
-- For more information, see the Leaders LAX Web site or the promotional flyer. You can register online at this link.

1/24/07 - Marshall Pride
TEAM TRIP TO 2007 FACE-OFF CLASSIC
The Statesmen lacrosse team has arranged for a group of tickets to the inaugural 2007 Face-Off Classic, presented by Inside Lacrosse, which takes place Saturday, Mar. 3, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (Ravens Stadium). This event will feature two games between the top four pre-season ranked teams in college lacrosse: #1 Virginia, #2 Hopkins, #3 Syracuse and #4 Princeton. Games are at 12:00 noon and 2:30. Tickets are $10 each and parking passes are available for $15.
-- Team members and family are all welcome (and encouraged) to attend! Tickets are limited, so make your arrangements right away. Contact Doug Gehley at dgehley@cox.net.

2/3/07 - Chantilly High School
RECRUITING INFORMATION SEMINAR
TripleEDGE Lacrosse will present a seminar about the college recruiting process on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Chantilly High School at 7:30 PM. Dennis Stewart will be the speaker.
-- Mr. Stewart is the Director of Operations for TripleEDGE Lacrosse. He has coached lacrosse at the Divison I level (Ohio State), Division III (Denison), and high school here in Northern Virginia (Bishop Ireton and Lake Braddock).
-- There is NO CHARGE for this seminar. For more information, see the TripleEDGE Web site.