This was perhaps one the strangest and exciting seasons of college lacrosse in a long time. Complete with upsets and dramatic finishes all across the division.  Memorial Weekend treated us to a “Cinderella Story” in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; an unseeded team that reached the final game and pushed overtime, before finally bowing to 5^th seeded Duke, in a dramatic overtime ending.

Born in London England, raised in Victoria BC, Lewis Ratcliff has became and continues to be a household name in our sport. It has been 9 years since he was drafted by Calgary in 2001 making his professional debut. 2 Mann Cups, an NLL title and close to 1,000 points (WLA & NLL combined) later #42 is still doing his thing. This year Lewis Leads the league in scoring (14g) and is 4th in points (29) through 5 games. WALAX got a chance to ask Lewis a few quick questions before this weekend’s game. The Washington Stealth host the visiting Minnesota Swarm this Friday February 5th, 8pm @the Comcast arena in Everett, WA.

A Couple of weeks ago, we had a two of the Stealth's newest guys come out for a weekend to hang at Breakaway, do a clinic for TYLA, and one for Walax in the North Sound.  As cool as it is for Washingtonian Lacrosse folks to experience this sudden boon in Lacrosse expertise, I now know, it is equally as cool for them.  Enter Chris O'Dougherty.  Finishing his last year as a Scarlet Knight of Rutgers in the Spring, he is the returning team MVP.  Chris was drafted by the Stealth to play in Everett.  In addition to being a great Defensemen in the field game, he is passionate about box, and helping others enjoy the gift of Lacrosse.

Issaquah Lacrosse began in 2002 and has since built its name as one of Washington’s top lacrosse programs.  They quickly reached the pinnacle of the Division II ranks with a State Championship in 2004.  Then they ascended to the top of Division I with back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.  In eight seasons, thirty players have been named to All-State teams and Travis Wright was the program’s first All-American in 2008. 

2X College All American while attending Georgetown and NLL and MLL Rookie of the year. 2006 World Champion for team Canada earning all tournament and defensive MVP honors. Back to back defensive player of the year honors in 06 and 07 for Rochester and may have more groundballs than any other person in NLL history when all is said and done (over 200 groundballs this year).  Walax got a chance to speak with the 09 Portland Lumberjack ALL-Star right before play-off time.

Montgomery Bell's Head Coach took a moment to catch up with Walax about their West Coast swing all the way from Tennessee to Seattle for the Northwest Invitational.  Suprisingly, Coach John Harvey relates similarities to the Lacrosse environment in Seattle.  Though Issaquah went to Georgia last year, this is the furthest south a high school Lacrosse program has EVER travelled to Seattle.  Read on to find out why this trip was important to Coach Harvey and his 3-0 Lacrosse team and learn a little about him as well.

Brian Kelly, MLL pro player, Whittier Alumni and High School teacher, is taking the helm after being an assistant at Whittier for the past two years.  Often, a change in leadership during the season may adversely affect the morale of a team.  After catching up with Coach Kelly, Whittier looks ro return to its 2003 form.  Here is what Coach Kelly had to say:

Vashon Island's Eric Davidheiser, who currently is playing for the Hill School in Pennsylvania, is heading to Penn State next year. Walax caught up with Eric to get his thoughts on his decision and talk..but of course.. Lax!

Steve Panarelli is a stand out defenseman for both the NLL and MLL. He is a collegiate all-american and a National Champion from Syracuse University. Steve was in Seattle for the first time this summer working a Walax camp at The University of Washington. Walax got a few minutes with Steve as he was preparing to go to Training Camp in Boston.  Formerly playing for the Dragons and the Stealth, the Strong Island native moved it back to the East Coast after a year in the West.  Here is what he had to say: