Attack
St. Ignatius Attacker Billy Mattimore. Photo by LaxBuzz
With an attack unit which was comprised of all Division I recruits at Saint Ignatius Prep, Mattimore shined the brightest in 2009. Alongside Carlton Fisher (Lehigh) and Will Fredericks (Loyola), Mattimore was the quarterback and led the Wildcats to an impressive 21-1 record in addition to a No. 1 ranking in the state from LaxPower. Mattimore was a jack of all trades, finishing this season with 67 goals and 57 assists for 124 points along with 29 groundballs. One of the team leaders in addition to co-MVP with Fisher, Mattimore was a unanimous selection for All American in California and is heralded as one of the best to ever play in the Golden State. In the fall, Mattimore will attend Bucknell and bring his impressive resume to a surging program.
Eric Law, senior, Arapahoe Warriors, CO
Arapahoe High School emerged as one of the best teams in the Western region, behind their playmaking attackman. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound attackman had a remarkable year even though every team tried everything in the book to stop him. Not only did Law lead the team with 90 points on 61 goals and 29 assists, but he also contributed six game-winning goals for the Warriors. Law was a four-time first team all-state selection and was named an All-American this past year for his outstanding play. The next destination for Law is Salisbury University where he will play for the Seagulls and try to win anational championship for the Division III powerhouse.
Frazier Cavness, senior, Kent Denver Sun Devils, CO
Even though Kent Denver did not repeat as state champions in Colorado, Frazier Cavness did all he could this season to make that possible. The 5-7, 160-pound attackman was a 2009 All-American and leading scorer for the high-scoring Sun Devil offense. Known for his quickness and playmaking, Cavness will be heading to the northeast to play lacrosse at Dartmouth under new head coach Andy Towers in the fall.
Midfield
Peter Baum, senior, Lincoln Cardinals, OR
One of the most heralded talents to ever come out of the Beaver state is Peter Baum. The 6-1 180-pound Baum is an explosive dodger–especially from the midfield–and has been the focus of the Cardinal offense the past few years. Baum was voted the team’s Most Valuable Attackman, first team All-Conference, and was the highest vote getter for All-State and All-American. It was a memorable season for Baum as he scored 84 goals and handed out 38 assists for 122 points, while scooping up 73 groundballs. Against Washington powerhouses Mercer Island and Bainbridge Island, Baum had seven- and eight-point games respectively. Colgate University gets a proven winner next year as Baum looks to put Oregon on the lacrosse map.
Landon Carr, senior, Curtis Vikings, WA
It was no surprise to any opposing team that Landon Carr was the focal point of the Viking offense. Despite all the junk defenses thrown his way, Carr still finished his senior year with 37 goals and 28 assists for 65 points in addition to 73 groundballs. Known for his speed and athleticism, Carr initiated the offense for the Vikings and was voted the offensive MVP in addition to All-State and All-American. Washington is a rising hotbed for lacrosse and Carr hopes to elevate his game to the next level at the University ofMaryland in the fall.
Face-off Specialist
Cory Wojciechowski, Bonanza Bengals, NV
In his only season at Bonanza, Wojciechowski led the Bengals to their third straight Southern Nevada championship. After transferring from Legacy, the multi-dimensional midfielder made plays in every way possible for the Bengals in 2009. He won a majority of his face-offs, scored goals in transition, and even contributed on the defensive side of the ball. Wojciechowski will take his game to Mount St. Joseph in the fall.
Defense
Spencer Peterson, senior, La Costa Canyon Mavericks, CA
Opponents must be glad Spencer Peterson is graduating in 2009 after all the time he spent on the field. The athletic long stick midfielder covered the opposing team’s best player, and excelled in transition for Dallas Hartley’s squad. The accolades were countless for Peterson in 2009 as he was named Team MVP, first team All-North County Conference, first team All-CIF San Diego Section, All-American, and La Costa High School Male Athlete of the Year. Peterson was a vacuum on groundballs scooping up 131 in addition to his 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points. He also doubled as the team’s primary faceoff man winning 66 percent of the team’s draws. Peterson should be a great fit for Duke, which is known for their athletic defenseman.
St. Ignatius Defenseman Kevin Downs. Photo by LaxBuzz
Kevin Downs, senior, St Ignatius Prep Wildcats, CA
Nothing is more impressive than a shutdown defender who simply annoys offenses, and that was Kevin Downs this season. Matching up against the opposing team’s best player, Downs is a fundamental defenseman combining great footwork and tenacity. A groundball machine for head coach Chris Packard, Downs recorded 43 groundballs and caused 37 turnovers. Mt. Saint Mary’s gets a proven winner in Downs as he hopes to continue his success at the next level.
Brett Newman, junior, Fort Collins Vipers, CO
One of two juniors on the western squad, Newman is one of the best defenders in the western region for various reasons. The talented defenseman has started every game of his career and is the Vipers’ shutdown defender assigned to cover the opposing team’s best player. This past year he caused 32 turnovers and scooped up 54 groundballs. Newman was honored as first team All-Northern Conference, first team All-State and already verbally committed to Ohio State. The Vipers have another year with Newman, which is giving opposing coaches in nightmares heading into 2010.
Ian Gray, junior, Chaparral Firebirds, AZ
Many juniors have an impact on their team but defenseman Ian Gray was instrumental in Chaparral’s success in 2009. The heralded recruit, who verbally committed to UMBC, had 71 groundballs and five assists for the Firebirds, helping them to the Division I state championship in Arizona. As a junior Gray was selected first team All-State and anchored a defense which allowed double digits only once all season. The Firebirds will look to repeat as state champions in 2010 and Gray will be the centerpiece once again on defense to make sure history repeats in Arizona.
Goalie
Pierce Bassett, senior, Brophy Prep Broncos, AZ
It will be a tough task for whoever has to fill the shoes left behind by Pierce Bassett, who started since his freshman year for the Broncos. In 2009 Bassett was first team All-State and defensive player of the year as he guided the Broncos to a second place finish in Division I. Bassett was a human wall this season, saving 175 shots of the 233 he faced for a 75 percent save percentage. In the fall Bassett will play for Johns Hopkins, joining former teammate Hunter Rodgers as they pave the path for Arizona lacrosse.
Coach
Guy Cerasoli, Arapahoe Warriors, CO
Many people outside of the Warrior program thought they would take home the Colorado state crown in 2009. Yet, Cerasoli proved all the doubters wrong this season leading the Warriors to a 16-3 record after losing three of their first four games. The Warriors lost their season opener to Kent Denver (PR: 97.6), 8-7, followed by a 9-7 loss to Pennsylvania state champion LaSalle (PR: 99.7) and then a 7-6 overtime thriller to another Pennsylvania power Malvern Prep (PR: 96.9). After the loss to Malvern Prep, the Warriors ran the table winning their last 15 games and not allowing any opponent to score double digits. For the first-year head coach, he was not afraid to play some of the nation’s best teams on their spring break trip and it resulted in a three-win improvement from 2008, a state championship and LaxPower Western Region Coach of the Year.
Honorable Mention
Attack
Sam Snow, Bainbridge Island, WA
Daniel Shields, Mercer Island, WA
Sam Baker, Oregon Episcopal School, OR
Carlton Fisher, St. Ignatius Prep, CA
Kyle Riddle, Amador Valley, CA
Connor White, Palo Verde, NV
Andreas Haglund, Chaparral, AZ
Jayden Haws, Brighton, UT
Ryan Mix, Corona Del Mar, CA
Adam Fenenbock, Lake City, ID
Adam Fishman, Brophy Prep, AZ
Bobby Braun, Coronado, CA
Midfield
Nick Richards, De La Salle, CA
T.C. Whaley, La Costa Canyon, CA
Chace Calkin, Mullen, CO
C.J. Schmidt, Regis Jesuit, CO
Rex Sanders, Eastview, MN
Jordan Goldstein, Issaquah, WA
Cole Nordstrom, Bellevue, WA
Michael Gale, Oregon Episcopal, OR
Michael Fay, West Linn, OR
Defense
Davis Gunter, Arapahoe, CO
Kyle Hertcher, Heritage, CO
Jake Stroud, Kent Denver, CO
Nick Eggemeyer, Bishop’s School, CA
Jonny Poe, Coronado, CA
Matt Garin, Eastview, MN
Connor McClain, Issaquah, WA
Ben Smood, Lakeridge, OR
Goalies
Andrew Parker, Oregon Episcopal School, OR
Andrew Noto, Corona Del Mar, CA
Zeric Butters, Corona del Sol, AZ
Patrick Gilligan, Benilde-St Margaret, MN
When should I submit my initial personal profile to college coaches?
It was all about Baltimore today, as the Baltimore Crabs and M&D Lax took home U-19 championships for the boys’ and girls’ divisions. M&D was first up, easily handling PA Express, and then the Crabs played well for a 12-9 victory over Team Colorado. It was Baltimore’s fourth consecutive U-19 title, a record at Vail.
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