Hey, lacrosse fans, I’m Jake Schwarzmann and I’m a senior at Mount Saint Joseph High School. I am a lacrosse player and currently getting admissions and recruitment letters from colleges. My hope has always been to play lacrosse in college, and while talking to different coaches, I noticed that none of the programs are exactly the same. So I decided to talk to different coaches of different programs to see what makes their school special and sets them apart from the competition.
For my first segment, I was able to sit down and interview Assistant Coach Sean Kulczyk from Washington and Jefferson University. Washington and Jefferson is an NCAA Division III school for lacrosse and has a very young coaching staff. They are graduating two seniors this year and have high hopes for the season ahead of them. Their first game is on February 16, 2019, against Kenyon College at 1:00.
When asked what sets them apart from the other teams in their division. Coach Sean had to say that the academics are what really set them apart with 96% of the students able to get jobs within the first 6 months after graduation. Take a listen to my interview with Assistant Coach Sean Kulczyk.
The Mount Saint Joseph Lacrosse team has had a history of previous players in its coaching staff. Many of the coaches that have come through the Mount to give back to the boys have been in the same shoes as the players. They attended the same classes and had some of the same teachers, notably Mr. Jeffrey who graduated from the Mount himself in 1974. The most recent Varsity head coach, Stephen Berger, was a Mount Graduate of 2000 who spent four years coaching at MSJ.
The new varsity coach, Phillip Bates, has been coaching lacrosse for a while. He was the head coach for two years at Dallastown Area High School in PA. His overall record at the school was 29-8, and in his first year, he led his team to the York-Adams League Title.
Coach Bates on the sidelines during a home JV game – Photo Credit https://bit.ly/2O1W130
Coach Bates, Coach Stephen Jeffrey, and Senior player Cole Baker all had lots to say about the upcoming season, and their thoughts on the coaching change at the top of the lacrosse program.
One thing is certain, everyone I spoke with were all very excited to see what Coach Bates will be able to bring to the table, especially the additions to the coaching staff that he was able to bring in — a new Face-off Coach, Luther Fleming, and a head JV coach, Omar Dupree. The new additions will bring out the best in the position that they will oversee. Cole Baker remarked, “face-offs are a big part of the game and in the past, we have not had a coach dedicated solely to the position. Our face-off specialist, Cole Trippet, will be able to get the attention he needs to do the best in his position.” One place where the team did not expand vastly was the defensive staff. Coming back to support the program is Coach Jeffrey.
Coach Stephen Jeffrey played lacrosse while a student at MSJ. He then attended Randolph Macon College and returned to MSJ to teach. He also began coaching football and lacrosse. He has been able to work with most of the coaches in the lacrosse program in recent years and has been able to work with Coach Bates personally. He could only say positive things about him. “He’s a great coach and I’ve been with him for a few years and he has the coaching ability and the contacts to make it work at MSJ. He wants to be here and he loves it here and has what it takes. I know he’s excited, he knows what is expected, and it should be interesting.” With Coach Jeffrey coming back, the defense will be able to perform to the best possible outcome with the help of other coaches like Patrick Paine and Stephen Mersinger.
He’s a great coach and I’ve been with him for a few years and he has the coaching ability and the contacts to make it work at MSJ. He wants to be here and he loves it here and has what it takes. I know he’s excited, he knows what is expected, and it should be interesting. – Coach Steve Jeffrey on new head coach, Phillip Bates
The team is looking forward to the upcoming season, and one of the things that coach Bates brings to the table is his passion. He believes it is the thing that makes him a stand out coach from others. “It is what drives me, I am very passionate about the sport and as a high school player, the number one thing that my coach told me that I could do would be to give back to the game.”
Coaching is what Coach Bates lives for. He has been across the US coaching and playing the game he knows and loves. He a great addition in the coaching staff and the sky is the limit for him. Speaking with current players, it is obvious that Coach Bates cares about the entire organization, and the MSJ community is excited to see what he will be able to do in the spring of 2019.
Mount Saint Joseph Varsity Lacrosse Team Praying before the last game of the season Photo taken from Coach Berger’s twitter https://twitter.com/SBerger13/status/1021900653055156224
The 2018 MIAA Lacrosse season is upon us. The Gaels are looking to have a strong year coming up. The team returns a good amount of experienced players who are ready to suit up and play again. At the helm is Coach Stephen Berger. A graduate of the Mount, coach Berger is entering his 4th season as head coach. Although the record doesn’t always show it year in and year out, he demands the most out of his players and is an excellent role model for the team. From the before-school workouts to the countless hours of practice and film study, Coach Berger and his players are some of the hardest working people on campus.
Kyle DeCrispino in action against Severn last season. Kyle is a captain for the team this year and committed to Drexel. Photo Credit: Victory Views
Under Coach Berger are a number of great assistant coaches. Coach Joe Figola is the offensive coordinator for the Gaels while coaches Andrew Garthoff and Steve Mersinger run things on the defensive side. Also, helping with defense and wing play is coach Conrad Ordakowski. Finally the Gaels have coach Brent Johnson to help with recruiting. All these coaches put in an immense amount of time and effort to make sure the boys are ready to play.
Defender Will Targonski plays against Gilman in game photo from last season. Photo Credit: Victory Views
So far this year the Gaels have had two scrimmages and two non-MIAA games. They are 1-1 after losing the first game, and winning the second game decidedly against Good Counsel. In the first scrimmage, the Gaels were defeated by a talented Dematha squad. Things were better the next scrimmage as the team had a strong win against St. Peter and Paul. In the first official game, the Gaels lost a hard fought battle to a tough St. John’s team out of D.C. The team showed spots of hope though as they game out of the gate scoring the first goal quickly. Throughout the game the Gaels has a number of flashes where they looked like a top tier team, but in the end the Cadets got the best of Saint Joe. In the second game against Good Counsel, the Gaels came away with a win 12-6. Hayden Toth sealed the win with a full-field snipe at the buzzer.
Senior Midfield Griffin Corbett in action last year. Photo Credit: Victory Views
The team has a number of talented players who are ready to go out and show everyone what they’re capable of. Senior Will Targonski is a close defender and one of the leaders of the defense. He is tenacious and big, and he is hoping to have an excellent senior season. Playing at midfield is senior Griffin Corbett. Corbett is currently out with an elbow injury but hopes to be back before the MIAA games begin. He is an amazing player who is committed to play lacrosse at Jacksonville University. He looks to lead the Gaels with his quickness and shooting ability. Another college commit is senior attachment Kyle DeCrispino. DeCrispino is committed to play at Drexel University next year. He is an excellent goal-scorer who is extremely difficult to defend. He, along with Corbett and Targonski, as well as a number of other talented players, looks to lead the Gaels to a successful season this year in the tough MIAA conference.
Offensive Coordinator Coach Figola and Head Coach Berger instructs the team before the start of a game. Photo Credit: Victory Views
Under the guidance of Coach Berger and the unique talents of all the players, the Gaels are looking to put themselves in a position to compete with some of the best teams in the nation. MSJ wishes the lacrosse team the best of luck in the 2018 season.
Bryan Costabile taking a shot against Hill Academy. Photo by Rick Kosiba
This 2016 season is poised to be a great one for the Gaels lacrosse team. With a large, talented returning senior class and lots of young talent, this year’s squad is sure to be a threat. The team will travel to California over Spring Break to play three games and will stay with host families in beautiful Orange County.
This year’s senior class boats star players such as midfielder Bryan Costabile (heading to Notre Dame next year), midfielder Drew Harrison (University of Maryland), and goalie Ben Heinzman (Limestone). “I’m very optimistic,” says Costabile. “I feel like this team can go a long way. We are one of the best teams in the MIAA. We’re [very] good this year.”
Laxpower.com backs up this clam, giving the Gaels a 95.73 power rating as of 3/17. The Baltimore Sun ranks the Gaels #7 in competitive Maryland in a poll. With the challenging MIAA schedule staring up after the California trip, the Gaels are poised to go far this year.
This year’s Varsity team is being led for its second year by Coach Stephen Berger (MSJ Class of 2000). Coach Berger has breathed new life into the program with his coaching philosophy rooted in deep rooted passion for the game of lacrosse and deep pride in his alma mater. “Mount Saint Joseph helped turn me into the man, and lacrosse player, that I am today. To give back to a school that provided me with both a solid academic and athletic base is another way for me to share my passion for the sport,” he says.
This year’s team will certainly be entertaining to watch. The top three home games you should be sure not to miss are as follows:
4/5 vs Landon
4/12 vs Calvert Hall
4/29 vs Spalding (Senior Night!)
The Student Newspaper of Mount Saint Joseph High School
Jake Schwarzmann is a senior and a member of the Multimedia Journalism class. Follow Jake at 
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