Fox Valley Lacrosse

The Fox Valley Lacrosse Club (FVLC) closed out a successful 2010 Spring Season.  The club fielded over 85 athletes across 4 teams and competed throughout Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.  The growth and popularity of lacrosse is evident as the level of competition in the Midwest continues to grow every year.  FVLC demonstrated tremendous success in the Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association (IBLA) this year as the 7/8 A Team and the 5/6 Gold Team posted undefeated regular season league records (12-0 and 9-0 respectively).   Our 7/8 B Team also posted a strong league record of 10-3 and an overall record of 23-8.  2010 marked the addition of Fox Valley’s 4^th team, the 5/6 Green Team, which competed almost solely against other clubs “A” teams.  With primarily first year competitive athletes, the 5/6 Green team posted a 4-8 league record and a 4-17 overall record.  The highlight of the IBLA tournament was the 5/6 Gold team come from behind win in the semifinals against Western Springs and their victory over Orland Park to win the 5/6 IBLA Title.

In addition to each of the teams having so many memorable moments, we had many individual highlights.  The 7/8 A Team was awarded 5 Illinois Youth Lacrosse Association (ILYLA) honors:  Mike Calvello – Goalie of the Year; Jack Moran – FOGO (Face Off Get Off); Nick Wood – Offensive Player of the Year and Coach Tom Wood was recognized as the 7/8 A 2010 ILYLA Coach of the Year.  The 7/8 A Team placed 10 athletes on the IBLA All Start Team, more than any other team in the league.  Will Mann, Nick Wood, Nathan Campana, Logan Krogman, Mathew Neufedlt, Jack Moran, Riley Mann, Grant Hoyle, Michael Calvello and Sammy Sanko will represent FVLC and the IBLA All Stars at the US Lacrosse Youth National Championships in Orlando, Florida this summer.

The 7/8 B Team posted an impressive 23-8 record this spring with many memorable moments.  In the first game of the season attackman Mikey Julius scored a game winning overtime goal to defeat Wheaton Academy.  Attackman Scott LaPoe scored an impressive 4 goals to best the Michigan Warriors in a stunning come from behind 7-5 win at the Carmel Invitational.  Emery Lehman scored a thrilling Braveheart goal after 2 overtimes to beat Glen Ellyn 4-3.  Kyle Hibsch, Scott LaPoe and Emery Lehman each scored hat tricks in the team’s 20^th win of the season against Wheaton Academy.  Emery Lehman earned team MVP honors with Alex Talley and Carter O’Brien capturing Offensive and Defensive MVP honors.

The 5/6 Gold team closed out the season with the Club’s best winning percentage at 27-4.  The team captured the IBLA Championship Title, the Western Springs Tower Tournament Title with an impressive 48-1 goal differential and the Mid-Season Rip the Duck Tournament Title with Luke Sawicki being named as the Tower Tournament’s 5/6 MVP.  The 5/6 Gold Team was honored with 6 players named to the IBLA All Star team: Brendan McGinnis, Luke Sawicki, Jack Graff, Nick Lamparelli, Ross Thompson and Jeff Wik.   Team awards went to Luke Sawicki – MVP; Brendan McGinnis – Best Attackman; Ross Thompson –Best Defenseman and Nick Lamparelli – FOGO and Most Ground Balls.

The 5/6 Green Team, affectionately known as “Gang Green”, was exciting to watch as the athletes developed as lacrosse players and came together as a team.  In addition to twenty-one 5^th and 6^th graders, Gang Green fielded four 4^th graders.  The 5/6 Green team won its very 1^st game with an exciting 6-5 over-time win against Glen Ellyn.  The team’s second win came against St. Charles with a 3-2 OT victory on Wheaton North’s Turf field.  Their 3^rd and 4^th victories came with back to back decisive wins against Elmhurst.  Chase Showalter was awarded Team MVP honors; Ethan Hurst – Offensive Player of the Year; Will Toman Defensive Player of the Year; Jimmy Watson – Best Midfielder and Colin Domek – Coaches Award.

As we reflect on the 2010 Spring season, the club had many memorable moments as it traveled throughout Illinois, Indiana and Michigan and got the opportunity watch Syracuse (defending National Champions) defeat Notre Dame (2010 NCAA Champion Runner-Up) game.  Most of all they had fun and became better lacrosse players due to the dedication of our incredible coaching staff.   In the tradition of developing young athletes, FVLC announced the creation of the “Tom Wood US Lacrosse Sportsmanship Award”.   Each season FVLC will present the award to a member of the club that has displayed leadership and true sportsmanship.  As it is only fitting, the inaugural presentation was awarded to Tom Wood. Thank you to the coaches, parents and players for a great 2010 Spring Season.

 7/8 Grade A Award Winners

• Coach of the Year - Tom Wood
• Offensive Player of the Year- Nick Wood
• Face Off Man of the Year - Jack Moran
• Goalie of the Year - Mickey Calvello

5/6 Grade Award Winners

• Offensive Player of they Year - Brendan McGinnis
• Face Off man of the Year - Nick Lamparelli