Welcome to the FIRST EVER New Orleans Lacrosse Report!
The high school New Orleans lacrosse season has been rolling on for a few weeks, and it’s only getting better!
Over the weekend many games were played, however, few were close. The defending State Champions flexed their muscles hard while they strolled through their games. As did a few contenders looking to knock them off this season and end their run of not losing an in-state game since 2013.
2/19
St. Paul’s 14, Ocean Springs(Ms) 8
Arline High 14, Bishop Gorman(TX) 4
2/20
Jesuit 14, Loyola Shreveport 1
Jesuit 14, St. Thomas Moore 4
Mandeville 16, South Bossier 0
Friendswood(TX) 10, Brother Martin 8
North Shore 12, Destin (FL) 5
Byrd 9, Catholic Baton Rouge 1
Cpt. Shreve 16, Bishop Gorman(TX) 1
Cpt. Shreve 19, Tyler (TX) 7
Holy Cross 6, Lafayette 1
2/21
Brother Martin 10, Byrd 4
Dutchtown 17, Holy Cross 3
MCLA
The MCLA in Louisiana is looking good with the ULL Ragin Cajuns looking to break into the top 25 nationally currently sitting at #27 in Div 2 with a 6-1 record. The LSU Tigers have also gotten off to a good start with a 4-2 record.
2/19
UL Lafayette 15, Sam Houston St. 5
2/20
Georgia Southern 11, UL Lafayette 10
LSU 10, Texas 5
2/21
UL Lafayette 10, St. Louis U 6
Texas A&M 12, LSU 11
The NOLC Mens Club had an early morning game against Tulane on Sunday where they used their experience and skill to get the win 16-11 over the young Tulane club.
Game of the Week
The game of the week comes out of the MCLA div.II with the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns taking on the St. Louis University Billikens at Cajun Field.
The game was hard fought, and with the ULL offense getting off to a slow start the game looked to possibly be rough one for the Cajuns as the Bilikens took an early 2-0 lead. The defense played strong throughout the game along with key saves from So. Goaltender Michael Olivio to keep the game with in reach while the ULL offense was finding their rhythm. Soon the Ragin’ Cajuns would get rolling to pull ahead of the Bilikens and never looked back.
St. Louis did all they could to make it hard on the crew from ULL however, the Cajuns were able to rage on behind a team leading 3 point day from Jr. attackman Tanner Castanga, as well as a few other multi goal performances from the rest of the team in their 10-6 win to put the season record at 6-1. Next ULL will travel to Georgia to take on Columbus St. and #14 Kennesaw St.
Team Captain and Jr. Attack, Tanner Castanga had this to say about the game,
“ We knew that playing out of conference games would be much tougher for us without the AQ in the LSA D2 and the injuries we had through the three game weekend. It was our first test on how the team would react to adversity. Before the game coach told us,”Things are better well done than well said”. To bounce back and take a huge win against St. Louis University helps us become motivated as we travel to Atlanta to play #14 Kennesaw St.”
Official stats can be found here.
Louisiana Lax Original – Mike Wallace
This weeks and first ever Louisiana Lax Original is Michael Wallace. I currently play with Mike at the NOLC mens club in New Orleans and I thought he would be a great first L.L.O. Mike was born in New Orleans, LA in 1963 and has lived here all of his life. This makes him a true home grown Louisiana lacrosse player.
He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1981 and received a (BBA) from Loyola University in 1985. He currently works for Liberty Bank and Trust Company. With the NOLC guys he is known for his face off abilities, fearlessness to take it to the crease, and being a great teammate. I decided to go ahead and ask him some questions to kick off the first ever Louisiana Lax Originals.
Trey: How long have you been involved in lacrosse?
Mike: I have been playing lacrosse for the past 35 years.
T: What/who got you into the game?
M: I was introduced to the game by Lawrence Williams (former NOLC member) in 1981 at the age of 17.
T: Who taught you most about the game?
M: I think there was a host of NOLC members back in the day that taught me a great deal about the sport. The one person that stands out is Phil “Boss” Niddrie, whom I still play with today.
T: What do you think of lacrosse in Louisiana when you started compared to where it is today?
M: When I started playing at 17 the only option for me was the club team, which was a great learning experience. It was baptism by fire which made me work harder to learn the game and earn valuable playing time. The sport has really grown throughout the state especially at the youth level. With the influx of youth programs, high school teams and clinics, the sport has a bright future. I am glad to witness the expansion of lacrosse in the state.
T: What is your favorite thing about/part of playing lacrosse?
M: I enjoy the fast pace of the game and the strategies involved. I particular like facing off, because I feel I have an advantage because of my size. I enjoy playing with my teammates on the field of battle.
T: What else do you like to do when you’re not playing?
M: I enjoy cycling.
T: Anything else you want to add about lacrosse or the lacrosse community?
M: I feel that lacrosse has been a great addition in my life. I have learned many things through relationships from lacrosse. It is truly a brotherhood.
That’s it for this week! I’ll be back in the future with another New Orleans Lacrosse Report!
