This past month the UConn Men's Lacrosse program held their annual alumni game and it was one of
the best turnouts in recent memory, with four decades of alumni
participating. After the game alumni, parents, and players gathered for
a post game tailgate with an impressive spread thanks to the teams
parents association. Check out the below link for a helmet cam video from the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-KeblRBHo&feature=youtu.be
Marine and Afghanistan War Veteran Greg Caron Speaks with UConn Men's Lacrosse Team
Corporal Caron was evacuated to Camp Dwyer in the Garmsir District of Afghanistan where his situation turned for the worse. He underwent emergency surgery and doctors made attempts to save his right arm. Throughout the night, Caron received multiple units of blood and military doctors stabilized him enough to enable him to be transported to a higher echelon of care at Bagram Airfield Hospital in Afghanistan. Thankfully, the medical team was able to do enough to save his right arm, but Caron still does not have full function of the arm and he cannot grasp anything with his right hand. He spent many months recovering and rehabilitating at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Corporal Caron was kind of enough to spend some time with the team this past Monday."I want to run again some day and told each player to take every day as it comes and be thankful for what you have" he stated. "I remember Greg playing soccer at Ellington High School with my son Ryan" Coach Scordato added. "He was a 2 time all state performer and still holds many scoring records"
Second-year men's lacrosse coach Paul Scordato has rounded out the Huskies coaching staff with the addition of Daniel Hand standout Marc Paolini. “Marc really impressed the coaching staff throughout the interview process” said Scordato. “He is very enthusiastic and is ready to step in and take control of our defensive unit. I think he will be an asset to our staff and program”
Paolini was a defensive standout at Daniel Hand High School located in Madison, Connecticut as well as a team captain and three year starter. After high school Coach Paolini went on to coach at his alma mater where he would be named Associate Head Coach. During Paolini's tenure at Daniel Hand the Tigers enjoyed several standout seasons including a 2006 team that went 20-2 and was ranked number two in the state.
“I have always loved the game of Lacrosse and I have always wanted to coach at the college level” said Paolini. Coach Paolini will work primarily with the Huskies defensive unit and will also assist in scouting and practice planning.
The UConn Men’s Lacrosse program is proud to announce that Henry Peterson has joined the Husky coaching staff as an assistant coach. Peterson, a 2012 UConn graduate, has been an important member of the Men’s Lacrosse program for the last three years.
“Henry did a great job for us last year as a senior midfielder. I think he will be an asset to our coaching staff and program” said second year Head Coach Paul Scordato. “Because he was part of last years successful season and is familiar with our systems and players he can help us continue to grow as a program” Scordato added.
Peterson transferred to UConn his Sophomore year and instantly "took on a leadership role" according to Scordato. Peterson's primary responsibilities will include assisting in offensive game planning as well as practice preparation and travel coordination.
This past weekend the Huskies took part in the inaugural BeanShot Tournament in Boston. The event, sponsored by the Boston Cannons and Muscle Milk, pitted four of the best MCLA teams in New England against each other in an exhibition tournament. UConn would ultimately fall in the first round to New Hampshire, with the Wildcats then losing to Northeastern in the championship game. Despite the first round loss the team had a great experience and both Muscle Milk and the Cannons put on a first class tournament. For pictures from the event see the below link:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403218579728784.114678.131553223561989&type=1
Kevin Canavan has been named an MCLA All-American, and is UConns first player to receive this honor since Defenseman Chris Yarsawich in 2001. Canavan also received the PCLLs Offensive Player of the Year award. In addition 7 Huskies were named to the PCLL All-Conference team:
1st Team -
Kevin Canavan - Attack
Derek Flynn - Attack
Jon Sherman - Goal
2nd Team
Charles Ogalin - Attack
Dominick Fusco - Defenseman
Honorable Mention
Mike Horne - Attack
Pierce Busby - LSM
Offense Player of the Year - Kevin Canvan
MCLA All-American Team
PCLL All-Conference Team
Back in the early 1980s, Paul Scordato was the head coach at New Haven when
the Chargers were a varsity team. He had good success with the program, so much
so that he was offered the head job at Division I Vermont. It was at this point
that his soon-to-be wife uttered a couple of questions that would change
Scordato's life.
What's this coaching thing? Aren't you going to get a real job?
Scordato turned down the Vermont gig and entered the private sector, his wife
smiling all the while.
"From that day, I've always regretted it and wondered where I would have
wound up if I went there," Scordato said.
Thirty years later, Scordato is taking another stab at the coaching ranks,
but this time with University of Connecticut, which operates in the MCLA
Division I. It would seem that Scordato hasn't lost any of his coaching acumen,
as the Huskies have posted a 9-2 record and are ranked No. 14 in the
country.
Scordato was hired in the offseason partly because he had an extensive
background in the Xs and Os of the game to maximize the UConn roster that is
dripping was talent. What put him over the top was the ideas he had to reconnect
the program with the parents, alums and even to the school itself, to some
degree.
Full Article
Due to anticipated rainfall tomorrows game vs #8 Buffalo will be held at Sherman Field. The game time, 1pm, remains the same. This game has huge implications, not only in the PCLL but nationally as well. The winning program will take the #1 spot in the PCLL and likely have a top 10 ranking nationally in the MCLA.
For the first time in six years, the UConn Men's Lacrosse team is nationally ranked. Today the MCLA released their weekly poll, and UConn came in at #23 in the nation. This is the Huskies first
Poll: http://mcla.us/polls/
Lax Magazine Poll Recap: http://laxmagazine.com/college_men/club/2011-12/mcla_poll
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and Muscle Milk have teamed up to debut a new college lacrosse tradition in New England. Lacrosse programs from Northeastern, Boston University, The University of New Hampshire and The University of Connecticut will face off in the inaugural Muscle Milk “Bean Shot Lacrosse Tournament” on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Harvard Stadium.
The one-day tournament will consist of two semi-final matches and one championship game to decide who has the best club team in New England. The semifinal matches will start at 2 p.m. on the New Stadium Turf Field and the Championship match will start at 5 p.m.
“When I interviewed for the University of Connecticut's Head Lacrosse coaching position I made it very clear to the search committee that I wanted to take the UConn Lacrosse program to another level,” said UConn Head Coach Paul Scordato. “When I was approached and was asked that UConn be a part of the first ever "Bean Shot Tournament" I immediately jumped on the opportunity. Participating in such a great event will add exposure not only to The University of Connecticut but to MCLA lacrosse in general.”
Admission to the “Bean Shot” is free and open to the public and will take place prior to the Cannons vs. Long Island Lizards game. Tickets to the Cannons match-up directly following the “Bean Shot” will be available at a discounted rate for students and alumni. Discounted tickets are $13 for access to the stands (normally $16 face value). Cannons vs. Lizards tickets must be purchased over the phone by calling 617-746-9933 ext: 2613.
The Cannons return to play after winning their first MLL Championship against the Hamilton Nationals last summer. The team looks to continue their reign atop the league as they defend their home turf against long-time rival Lizards who will be making their only trip to Boston.
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UConn Men's Lacrosse is proud to announce that April 7th will be the first ever Men's Lacrosse Alumni Day. The Alumni Day will kick off at 4pm with the 'Old Huskies Game' at Depot Field. The Old Huskies Game will pit odd year graduates on one team vs. even year graduates on the other. Following the game an alumni gathering will be held at a to be determined location. At the conclusion of the evening all alumni are invited to support the team as they take on Northeastern in a 7pm match up at Depot Field.
UConn Lacrosse Alumni Day
4pm-5pm - Old Huskies Game
5:15pm-6:45pm - Alumni Gathering (location TBD)
7pm - UConn Men's Lacrosse vs. Northeastern
Alumni interested in participating in the Old Huskies Game are asked to RSVP at the below link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDRDZmlZU3FEYTlvSkd4TWFmcEszTUE6MQ#gid=0
Please direct questions to alumni@uconnlacrosse.com
More alumni info: www.uconnlacrosseassociation.com
The New England Lacrosse blog is featuring a multi-part series previewing the UConn Men's Lacrosse 2012 season. Click the below links to read the feature.
Men's Lacrosse Season Preview Part 1 - The New England Lacrosse Blog
Men's Lacrosse Season Preview Part 2 - The New England Lacrosse Blog
John O’Leary has joined the UConn Men's Lacrosse team for 2011-12 after two seasons as offensive coordinator at Bacon Academy. O’Leary was a three-year starter on attack at Saint Anselm College, compiling 92 goals and 127 points in his career placing him fifth all-time.
A standout player, O’Leary led Saint Anselm to their best season on record his junior year when the team went 11-3. The Hawks advanced to their first ever NE-10 Conference Final Four
appearance that same season. He was a two-time NE-10 All-Conference selection and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Saint Anselm along with an MBA in International Business
Development from the University of Hartford.
Upon graduation, O’Leary founded Silver Sound lacrosse along with his brother. Their team
has competed in the Glastonbury Lacrosse tournament as well as the Lake Placid tournament in
recent years. Silver Sounds has won three Glastonbury tournament championships (2005, 2008
and 2009).
He has also served as head coach for the north squad twice in the Nutmeg State Games leading
players from Glastonbury, Newington and West Hartford to the Silver and Bronze medals. In
the summer O’Leary is still active, playing in summer leagues and various tournaments. In 2004
he won the PVLL with the Glastonbury Whalers and still plays with the team every summer.
O’Leary comes from a strong family of lacrosse: his younger brother, Brian, was also a two-time
NE-10 All-Conference selection on attack at Saint Anselm College who remains the all-time
leader in assists with 152 and is second in career points with 210.
O’Leary is an adjunct faculty member at Goodwin College and currently resides in Glastonbury
with his wife Sarah.