“When you play Section III lacrosse, you know you're playing in the toughest league in the country,” Auburn High School boys lacrosse coach Steve Crosby said.
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Le Moyne sophomore Matt Chadderdon, of Auburn, will compete today for lacrosse national championships. Chadderdon will play for the Division II title.
Le Moyne sophomore Matt Chadderdon, of Auburn, will compete today for lacrosse national championships. Chadderdon will play for the Division II title.
Then it should come as no surprise that four former Maroons will be competing for national championships today - three as players and one as a coach.
Matt Chadderdon, Matt Foster and first-year assistant coach Travis Tarr will try to seal Le Moyne's fourth Division II national title, while Matt Hoey is looking to help SUNY Cortland win its first Division III crown since 2006. The Red Dragons were runners-up in 2007 and 2008.
“It feels amazing,” Hoey said. “I came to Cortland to play for a national title. I never expected it would happen my freshman year.”
Hoey was forced to make a transition this season, switching from an offensive midfielder to a defensive midfielder.
“I learned the game is faster and some defensive tricks,” he said. “Everything counts and you can't turn it over as much.”
No. 4 SUNY Cortland (18-2) takes on No. 5 Gettysburg (16-3) at noon today at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. It's the Red Dragons ninth consecutive D-III tournament appearance and would be their second championship on three years.
This season, Cortland defeated Geneseo 14-13 to win the 2009 SUNYAC Championship. The program also surpassed 500 career victories.
“The level of competition is higher at this level than the high school level,” Hoey said.
While his approach is more defensive-minded, Hoey still scored a goal this season, while playing in 19 games.
Even though this is his first trip to an NCAA championship, Hoey isn't unfamiliar with the big stage. In 2007, Hoey delivered the game-winning extra point in overtime, giving the Auburn High football team its first Section III, Class AA state title.
But even he admits that today's game is the biggest of his life.
“It's a lot different,” Hoey said. “I played a real important role in football. Here, I don't see the field as much, but this still would be a great accomplishment. It would be the greatest weekend of my life so far.”
For Le Moyne, Chadderdon and Foster should have a greater impact for their title-seeking squad. Chadderdon, a sophomore, led the Dolphins with 35 goals, while Foster, a senior defender, was fourth on the team in forced turnovers (nine).
“Chadderdon came along and is one of the best (midfielders),” Tarr said. “He's just a pure shooter. He gets his shot off whenever. (He's) a true gamer, it doesn't matter what game it is, he is always giving it his best. Foster is the quarterback of the defense. He is the communication leader and one of the smartest defenders.”
Top-seeded Le Moyne (16-0) takes on No. 2 C.W. Post (14-1) at noon today at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Chadderdon's impact could be a major factor for the Dolphins, as his presence is felt on the field by every opponent.
“He'll have at least 10 shots and will open up opportunities for other players,” Tarr said.
Tarr was a three-time first-team All-American and is a member of the Dolphins Gold Wave Hall of Fame. He was also named the 2005 USILA All-American Player of the Year, and was a two-time Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year.
Tarr, a two-time national champion, also knows what the players are going through. He can offer his own brand of advice to the players with little playoff experience.
“You just need to stay focused,” Tarr said. “You don't want to get caught up in the moment. (You) just have to do the little things.”
All three Auburn graduates could join a long list of local champions, which includes Onondaga Community College's Michael Villano, Joe Villano and Amy Spin. The Villanos are assistants for the national champion Lazers, while Spin helped lead OCC to an NJCAA title in the program's first year.
“I've had 10 other young men receive a national title ring,” Crosby said. “It just shows what you can do. All players are very respective of the dedication and commitment it takes. We're all big supporters of all Auburn sports.”
Two other former Section III lacrosse players will compete for a national title this weekend - Syracuse's Thomas Guadagnolo, of Jordan-Elbridge, and Cornell's Kyle Doctor, of Skaneateles. The Orange will look defend their title against the Big Red at 1 p.m. Monday.
“It just shows within Section III you're capable of achieving success at any level,” Crosby said.
Section III competition gets these players prepared for competition at the collegiate level. And knowing they'll be sharing the big stage with familiar players also serves good motivation.
“I think it says how competitive we are and that we can produce good lacrosse players and people,” Hoey said.
Matt Chadderdon, Matt Foster and first-year assistant coach Travis Tarr will try to seal Le Moyne's fourth Division II national title, while Matt Hoey is looking to help SUNY Cortland win its first Division III crown since 2006. The Red Dragons were runners-up in 2007 and 2008.
“It feels amazing,” Hoey said. “I came to Cortland to play for a national title. I never expected it would happen my freshman year.”
Hoey was forced to make a transition this season, switching from an offensive midfielder to a defensive midfielder.
“I learned the game is faster and some defensive tricks,” he said. “Everything counts and you can't turn it over as much.”
No. 4 SUNY Cortland (18-2) takes on No. 5 Gettysburg (16-3) at noon today at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. It's the Red Dragons ninth consecutive D-III tournament appearance and would be their second championship on three years.
This season, Cortland defeated Geneseo 14-13 to win the 2009 SUNYAC Championship. The program also surpassed 500 career victories.
“The level of competition is higher at this level than the high school level,” Hoey said.
While his approach is more defensive-minded, Hoey still scored a goal this season, while playing in 19 games.
Even though this is his first trip to an NCAA championship, Hoey isn't unfamiliar with the big stage. In 2007, Hoey delivered the game-winning extra point in overtime, giving the Auburn High football team its first Section III, Class AA state title.
But even he admits that today's game is the biggest of his life.
“It's a lot different,” Hoey said. “I played a real important role in football. Here, I don't see the field as much, but this still would be a great accomplishment. It would be the greatest weekend of my life so far.”
For Le Moyne, Chadderdon and Foster should have a greater impact for their title-seeking squad. Chadderdon, a sophomore, led the Dolphins with 35 goals, while Foster, a senior defender, was fourth on the team in forced turnovers (nine).
“Chadderdon came along and is one of the best (midfielders),” Tarr said. “He's just a pure shooter. He gets his shot off whenever. (He's) a true gamer, it doesn't matter what game it is, he is always giving it his best. Foster is the quarterback of the defense. He is the communication leader and one of the smartest defenders.”
Top-seeded Le Moyne (16-0) takes on No. 2 C.W. Post (14-1) at noon today at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Chadderdon's impact could be a major factor for the Dolphins, as his presence is felt on the field by every opponent.
“He'll have at least 10 shots and will open up opportunities for other players,” Tarr said.
Tarr was a three-time first-team All-American and is a member of the Dolphins Gold Wave Hall of Fame. He was also named the 2005 USILA All-American Player of the Year, and was a two-time Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year.
Tarr, a two-time national champion, also knows what the players are going through. He can offer his own brand of advice to the players with little playoff experience.
“You just need to stay focused,” Tarr said. “You don't want to get caught up in the moment. (You) just have to do the little things.”
All three Auburn graduates could join a long list of local champions, which includes Onondaga Community College's Michael Villano, Joe Villano and Amy Spin. The Villanos are assistants for the national champion Lazers, while Spin helped lead OCC to an NJCAA title in the program's first year.
“I've had 10 other young men receive a national title ring,” Crosby said. “It just shows what you can do. All players are very respective of the dedication and commitment it takes. We're all big supporters of all Auburn sports.”
Two other former Section III lacrosse players will compete for a national title this weekend - Syracuse's Thomas Guadagnolo, of Jordan-Elbridge, and Cornell's Kyle Doctor, of Skaneateles. The Orange will look defend their title against the Big Red at 1 p.m. Monday.
“It just shows within Section III you're capable of achieving success at any level,” Crosby said.
Section III competition gets these players prepared for competition at the collegiate level. And knowing they'll be sharing the big stage with familiar players also serves good motivation.
“I think it says how competitive we are and that we can produce good lacrosse players and people,” Hoey said.
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