Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/8/12

Lorran DaCosta scored the game-winner off a feed from Mickey Bellace to lift Upper Merion to an 8-7 double-overtime win over Suburban One American Conference rival Wissahickon Saturday at the third annual HEADstrong Rivalry Games Saturday at Widener University.

The all-day event honored the memory of Ridley’s Nick Colleluori and raised money and awareness for blood cancer. Colleluori passed away in November of 2007 after a lengthy bout with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The Rivalry Games featured high school varsity and JV games, several youth games and a thrilling college game between host Widener and Albright. First-year Albright took the game, 11-10. (See story.)

Joe Mintzer led the Vikings (3-2, 2-1) with five goals while Troy Minnich was a standout in goal with 18 saves. The Trojans fell to 2-5 overall, 1-3 in the league.

Ridley 9, Radnor 6

Ridley (6-1, 3-0) scored the game’s final three goals to claim the Central League game.

Dalton George scored three goals and Jim Gormley and Kyle Bush each had a goal and an assist for Ridley. Ben Junior paced Radnor (4-3, 2-1) with three goals and Shane Shapiro added a pair.

Interboro 12, Archbishop Carroll 8

The Bucs (3-3) exploded for seven goals in the second period to rally from a 2-1 deficit to defeat their Catholic League rival.

Brian VanWyk had three gooals and an assist while Christian Fisher, David Hearn, Dan Hopson and Dylan Mollica each had two goals. Jake Herrmann added a goal and two assists and Steve Lee made 10 saves.

Chip Byrne had three goals for Carroll while Tim Keith and Ryan Boornazian each scored a pair and Adam Baer was a standout with 17 saves in goal.

Also Saturday, Spring-Ford (6-1) toppled Perkiomen Valley, 13-4, in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/19/12

This is one of a series of previews for the 2012 Philly lacrosse season

Upper Merion

Coach: Brady McCormick (5th Season)

Last Year’s Record: Record 10–7, SOL American Runners–up

Notable Loses:
Conor Crowe (Washington & Jefferson) – 1st Team All SOL-A
Luc Minnich (Immaculata) – 2nd Team All SOL-A
Wes McDowell (Delaware Club) – 1st Team All SOL-A
Robby Boyk – 2nd Team All SOL-A

Key Returnees:
Mickey Bellace – Attack – Senior
Ricky Clairmont – Defense – Senior – 3rd Team All SOL-A
Lorran DaCosta – Midfield – Senior – 2nd Team All SOL-A
Austin Edelman – Defense – Senior – 1st Team All SOL-A
Brandon Henderson – Defense – Senior – HM All SOL-A
Trevor Kupecky – Attack – Junior – 1st Team All SOL-A
Jake Keszczyk – Midfield – Junior – 3rd Team All SOL-A
Chris Jordan – Midfield – Sophomore
Andrew McQuirns – Defense – Sophomore
Joe Mintzer – Attack – Sophomore
Kevin O’Sullivan – LSM –Sophomore
Mikey Zadroga – Midfield/FO – Sophomore HM All SOL-A

Coach’s Outlook:
“The class of 2011 was a very important class to the UMHS lacrosse family. They were the first 4 year varsity (team went from club to varsity in 2008) class and contributed heavily to our success. A lot of younger players will need to step into meaningful roles on the team but I expect them to perform well. Our core continues to be very strong and we strive to make each season the most successful one yet.”

North Penn

Coach: Rick Smith (2nd year)

Last Year’s Record: 6-12 overall, 3-9 League

Notable Loses: Greg Olsen (Def), Sean Adams (Def), Dan Kohler (Att), Chris Anton (Att), Drew Schmitz (Mid)

Key Returnees:
Mike Tappen (G) 12
Matt McConaghy (Def) 10
Vince Ruggieri (Def) 12
Tyler Maroney (Def) 11
Chris Young (Att) 12
Kyle Heinig (Att) 11
Matt Brayd (Mid) 10
Ryan Dwyer (Mid) 12
Dan Gross (Mid) 12

Others to Watch:
Alex Kopcho (Att) 11
Adam Wreath (Mid) 11
Shamar Bowman (Mid) 11
Tyler Worman (Def) 9
Scott Keffer (Att) 9
Sawyer Koch (Mid) 9
Zack McKelvie (Mid) 9

Question Marks: “ Our depth will play a role in determining how successful we are this season.”

Strengths: “Our players work ethic is our strength. The players show up every day determined to get better and to be competitive in a league full of talent.”

Overall Outlook: “As a coaching staff we expect our team to be competitive in every game. Because we lack in depth, every player is going to be counted on heavily this season. We have a good core of returning players and there are plenty of opportunities for the young players coming up. It is going to be an exciting year for us, and we want our players to enjoy success.”

Chris Goldberg

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/14/12

Upper Merion senior goalie Ally Frymoyer has committed to play Division II lacrosse at Shippensburg University.

Ally Frymoyer log:

Ally Frymoyer

High School: Upper Merion

Graduation Year: 2012

Position: Goalkeeper

College Choice: Shippensburg University

Club Affiliation: Aftershock Lacrosse

Major lacrosse honors: 4x Varsity letter winner, Suburban One second team All-league x2, Suburban One Honorable Mention, Varsity Captian, Upper Merion Club lacrosse goalie coach, 2010 Philly Showcase All-Star team

Academic Honors: National Honor Society, Honor Roll, CAST Citizenship Award, UM Football water girl x3

What will you major in/study? Communications/Journalism

Why did you choose Shippensburg? “The three main things I looked at in my decision were if they had my major, the coach/team and distance. Ship had everything I wanted starting with the academics and ending with the team. The team was welcoming and Coach (Ashley) Manion made me feel like I truly was supposed to be a Lady Raider.”

What is your HS team’s outlook for the season? “I am super excited to kick-off my senior season. We lost many key players last year. We had one of our best seasons last year but came up a game or so shy of playoffs but I feel we have a lot of potential as a team to build up and come out this year really strong. I think we definitly could make it to playoffs but we just have to play hard and stay positive.”

Additional Comments: “First and foremost, I would like to thank my Mom. She has helped me every step of the way. Even though that is what a mom’s job is but she really goes above and beyond for me. My brother Shane because growing up I have always looked up to him playing sports, also I always admired watching his desire to play his sport. I would also like to thank all the people who inspired me to never give up, my Aftershock Coaches (Jen Medaglia & Kirsten Mayberry) and Upper Merion Coaches (Angie Yanocha & Steph Bean).”

Chris Goldberg

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/9/12

Upper Merion senior midfielder Lorran Dacosta has committed to play Division III lacrosse at Whittier College (CA).

Whittier is coached by Downingtown High grad and LXM/PRO player Brian Kelly.

Lorran Dacosta log:

Lorran Dacosta

High School: Upper Merion

Graduation Year: 2012

Position: Midfielder

College Choice: Whittier College, CA

Club Affiliation: Dukes L.C, Black Bear, PYLA

Major lacrosse honors: Suburban One American Conference second team, 2011

What will you major in/study? Business Management

Other info: Whittier is coached by Downingtown High grad Brian Kelly (entering fourth year as coach).

Why did you choose school? “I want to pursue an acting career outside Los Angeles. I have been an extra in one film called the convenient truth, and currently I’m building my resume, taking the role as a cop in the movie ‘Can I get justice?’ and as Robin for a college film – ‘Batman Anarchy.’”

What is your HS team’s outlook for the season? “After we had some Thursday practices, we’ve started to get our act together. Once the season comes, we’ll definitely have a solid team.”

Other comments: “I want to thank Coach John Christmas, who worked with me a lot during summer programs. I also wish to thank (Upper merion) Coaches (Brady) McCormick and (Roman) Kupecky.”

Chris Goldberg

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/7/11

Upper Merion senior defenseman Austin Edelman has committed to plat Division III lacrosse at Cabrini College.

Austin Edelman log:

Austin Edelman

High school: Upper Merion

Graduation year: 2012

Position: Close defense

College Choice: Cabrini

Club Affiliation: Team Philly Elite

Major lacrosse honors: First team All Suburban one American; Defensive MVP, Played for Philly at National Lacrosse Classic; All-Times Herald Second team

Academic honors: Distinguished Honor Roll, takes AP Courses, National Language Honor Society

What will you major in/study? Education (History)

Why did you choose school? “I liked the small school feel and campus. I did my overnight and got to meet the whole coaching staff and team and it wasn’t long after that I decided that’s where I wanted to go.”

What is your HS team’s outlook for next year? “The Suburban One American Conference is always competitive with Plymouth Whitemarsh, Wissahickon and Upper Dublin and I think we can come out on top. We graduated a number of players but a bunch of new guys are ready to step up.”

Other comments: “I want to thank my parents and friends for helping me and supporting me; my high school coaches and high school teammates and my club coaches.”

Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/28/11
Staff Report

Washington & Jefferson freshman goalie Conor Crowe (Upper Merion) is a rare two-sport athlete.

Upper Merion grad Conor Crowe is a member of the Washington & Jefferson water polo team and recently scored four goals in one game. He also will play lacrosse in the spring. (Courtesy of Washington & Jefferson Athletics)

Crowe, a First Team Suburban One American choice last year and a four-year starter for the Vikings’ lacrosse team, will be playing lacrosse in the spring. Currently, he is a regular for the W&J water polo team. Recently, he scored four goals to help the Presidents rout Salem International, 17-8. He has eight goals this year.

Washington & Jefferson finished its regular season at 7-9 and now closes its season in the Southern Division championships at Princeton Nov. 4-6.

Crowe was a standout water polo player at Upper Merion. He was also a key member of the Vikings’ lacrosse team that won its first Suburban One American Conference title (shared with Wissahickon) in 2010.

Crowe set numerous records at Upper Merion in the goal, including saves in a game (23), career saves and career wins.

Chris Goldberg

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/15/11

Upper Merion rising junior attackman Trevor Kupecky has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Hofstra University.

Upper Merion's Trevor Kupecky has committed to Hofstra

Kupecky collected 34 goals and a Philly-high 61 assists this year while earning Suburban One American Conference First Team honors.

Kupecky played in the EPSLA Showcase this year and attended Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip Rising Junior Camp. He also played on the Philly Under Armour Underclassmen squad in July and then made the All-Star team at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic.

Kupecky, who also considered Duke and North Carolina, plays club lacrosse for the Duke’s L.C.

Kupecky, a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll, was impressed with Hofstra coach Seth Tierney and the location of the school on Long Island.

“I like the area because it’s close to New York City and the beach and I like how lacrosse is the main sport at the school,” Kupeckysaid. “The playing facility and practice facility are great. And once I met Coach Tierney, I decided it was the right place for me.”

Hofstra always a contender in the Colonial Athletic Association, went 13-3 last year and reached the CAA finals while also advancing to the NCAA tournament.

“The team is very successful and it will be exciting to play a lot of games at home in Philly,” said Kupecky, noting the Pride play in a league with Drexel, Delaware, St. Joseph’s and Penn State.

Kupecky is known for his playmaking and passing skills. He has piled up an amazing 139 assists in two seasons at Upper Merion. As a freshmen, he played a key role in helping the Vikings win their first Suburban One American Conference title.

“When I was a freshman, we had a lot of good shooters so I made it my goal to get them the ball,” he said. “I wanted to make everyone better on the team. Growing up, that was my way of playing.”

Kupecky believes Upper Merion can challenge for a league title and a state playoff berth in 2012.

“I think we should have a really good season,” he said. “We lost a couple key players, but everyone is going to get better and we’d like to go pretty far in the district playoffs.”

Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/10/11

Two high-profile Philly boys’ lacrosse players have given commitments for Division I colleges.

Upper Merion rising junior attackman Trevor Kupecky has committed to Hofstra and recent Emmaus graduate Dan Kinek (midfielder) has committed to Michigan.

Kupecky had 34 goals and led the Philly area in assists with 61 in 2011. Kupecky was a First Team Suburban One American Conference pick and has an amazing 129 assists in two seasons.

Kupecky, who like Kinek plays for the Duke’s Lacrosse club, also has an impressive ledger of accomplishments on the recruiting scene. He played in the EPSLA Showcase this June and attended Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip Rising Junior Camp. He played on Team Philly at the Under Armour Underclassmen Games and also on the Philly team at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic this year when he made the All-Star team.

Kupecky, who helped Upper Merion claim its first Suburban One title in 2010, also considered North Carolina and Duke.

Kinek, who will spend this year as a post-graduate at Avon Old Farms (CT), led Emmaus to the Lehigh Valley Conference championship and was named league MVP. He compiled 70 goals and 24 assists and scored over 200 goals in his career.

He was a First Team All-Phillylacrosse,com pick and was MVP at the Dan Carr benefit game at the Philly Showcase in November.

Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/14/11

Greg Merrill pumped in six goals to set a school freshman scoring mark and senior Eric Gartner added five goals to pad his impressive totals as visiting Great Valley claimed a 16-8 non-league boys’ lacrosse win today over Upper Merion.

The Patriots finished the regular season at 14-4, closing with 11 straight victories. They finished fourth in the Ches-Mont League with an 8-3 record and are awaiting their seed for the District 1 tournament. The brackets will be determined tomorrow at Harriton High.

Timmy Lamb added three goals for Great Valley while Dan Buchholz and Noah Joseph each scored once for Great Valley, which made a dramatic improvement from a 7-11 season in 2010. Nick Dipiano had seven saves and Peter Hayes added three saves.

Gartner, a midfielder headed to Villanova, broke into the 200 career point club (only done two other times in GV history) vs. Kennett on Thursday in an 11-5 win. His career totals are 150 goals and 59 assists for 209 career points.

Attackman Greg Merrill, with his second goal against Upper Merion on Saturday afternoon, broke the Patriot freshman scoring record previously held by Sean Thompson (class of 2001, Ithaca College). Merrill currently stands at 71 points for the season (49g, 22a) as the Patriots enter the PIAA District 1 playoffs. Merrill’s older brothers, Brett (class of 2007), and Jeff (class of 2008), hold the Great Valley career point and goal scoring records, respectively.

Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/29/11

Gryphin Kelly scored three goals and Colin Joka added a pair as visiting Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Upper Dublin, 6-5, today to take a major step toward a Suburban One American Conference boys’ lacrosse championship.

The Colonials improved to 9-0 in the conference (10-2 overall) with three games to play. The Cardinals fell to 6-3 in the league and 7-5 overall. Upper Merion is in second place at 6-2.

Upper Merion 18, Cheltenham 7

Luc Minnich had six goals and an assist and Trevor Kupecky collected five goals and five assists to pace the Vikings to the Suburban One American win.

Chris Goldberg