By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/16/13
LANCASTER – Along with Phillie Elite, the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club is representing Philly this weekend in the National Scholastic Club Lacrosse Association Cup Championship at Franklin and Marshall College.
Overall, 20 club programs are competing in three age classes (2014, 2015, 2016) for national titles. Playoffs begin this morning and championship games will be held at 2 p.m. in all three classes.
HEADstrong 2016 advanced to the playoff round today. HEADstrong’s Tyler Kostack (Marple Newtown, attackman) and Seamus Glavin (Haverford School, goalie) said the tournament gives them a chance to get seen by more than 1000 college coaches, but also to spread the message about fighting blood cancer and working as a team against national competition.
“This tournament is really competitive with a lot of really good teams,” said Glavin. “There’s a lot of college coaches and a lot of college exposure.
“It pumps you up a lot (to see the coaches). You really want to play well for them and show what you’ve got. It’s helping you get to the next level. But this is also about playing with the team.”
Said Kostack: “It’s mostly about playing for the cure. People know who we are and why we wear lime green. I definitely want to get seen.
“Since there is good competition we’ll all get better together. We just want to help each other.”
HEADstrong 2015 midfielder TJ Reiley (Cardinal O’Hara) said the tourney is important for rising juniors looking for colleges, but he also is proud to see HEADstrong’s name in a national setting.
“We came here to click as a team and get some experience with college coaches here,” he said. “We want to put our names out there and show who we represent and what the meaning of HEADstrong is – just a good organization all around.
“For me, I just want to hustle, and show I want to play college lacrosse. There’s a lot of coaches. It’s a little overwhelming, but when I am on the field I don’t think about; I just play. Individually, you have to put it all on the line and never give up on a play.”
For players in the 2014 class, the race to pick a college is on. On Saturday night an All-Star Game of top 2014 players was held and one of those selected was HEADstrong rising senior Dan Buckman (Lower Merion, attackman), who had two assists in the game.
Buckman, already a three-year starter for the Aces, said he has gotten used to the recruiting scene and is trying to enjoy playing hard in a team setting.
“Team-wise, we’re looking to compete and try to get after every team,” he said. “We want to play and work harder. Individually, I want to fit into that style; work harder than the guy guarding me, take advantage of every opportunity and play smart.
“I think I actually felt more pressure (in choosing a college) last year when I wasn’t really used to it. Now I think I am used to it and realize you just have to play.
“I am not worried about who is watching. I just play every game like it’s my last.”
