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posted 06/26/2009 Hi Parents,
What a great season for our select travel teams and what a difference a year can
make! Due to all the great help from our many volunteer team parents, you have
allowed Bethesda to extend our traditional spring season to a full year
offering of programs for our boys. This season, we held earlier tryouts which
allowed our travel players to participate as a team in a 12 week "Advanced
Skills Development Winter Program" prior to the spring season.
The extra development helped our boys have great spring seasons at all age
levels (summary below), playing over 30 games on average this spring. In
addition, many of our select travel players have continued on with our new
summer select teams, the Bethesda Lacrosse Bulldogs, who just finished their
first tournament this past weekend. Please continue to check our website for
coming Fall Program & Tryout details at . www.bethesdalacrosse.org
Here's a quick recap of the season:
BETHESDA U15-A:
Bethesda Lacrosse's U15-A (Juniors) team had a great season. The team finished
the season with an overall 25-6-1 record playing the toughest competition in the
Mid Atlantic region. They focused on player development---both at the individual level and as a team starting last fall. During the winter they sharpened their skills in our winter development and training practices. Outdoor practices started in January and
continued 3 times a week through the spring. During the spring outdoor season,
they participated in both spring tournaments and the Bethesda League. The
tournament schedule included six tournaments wrapping up with Baltimore's
Lax Splash Tournament and Ocean City's Beach Lax Tournament. The team had
successful off-field team-building highlights as well and an end of the season
party which was a huge hit with the kids and parents. The kids came together as
a team on the field and off providing a rewarding experience that they won't
soon forget. Thanks to Coach Lee Stillwell & Eric Russell for their coaching
dedication to the boys this year!
BETHESDA U15-B:
Bethesda Lacrosse's U15-B (Juniors) team put together their first season ever
and gave our boys a chance to play with other skilled players. While there
aren't that many full-roster B teams at the Junior levels, they held their own
against many of the area's best teams, including winning all 4 games at the
Cherry Blossom tournament. The players will be well prepared to position
themselves for playing for the U15-A team next season! Thanks to Coach Eden &
John Wilkinson for their tireless efforts.
BETHESDA U13-A:
Perhaps our biggest crown jewel this year was our U13-A (Midget) team. They finished
this year with an outstanding record of 23 wins, 4 losses and one tie and were
truly one of the top AA teams in MD.
The highlight of the season was winning the Championship in the “A” division of
the 2009 Beach Lax Festival Tournament. Bethesda won over great competitors
including Next Level, Bel Air, Geronimo, and a final victory over Club Blue in
the championship game.
Another milestone for Bethesda U13A team was making it to the Championship game
of the “A” division of Lax Splash 2009. Bethesda beat tough Baltimore teams -
Bel Air, Kelly Post, Fallston in the initial bracket and a win over Club Blue in
the semi-finals. They ran into a very talented AA Cobra team in the finals and
lost a nail-biter after it was 6-6 with a minute to go. Cobra's AA team
accounted for two of the four losses all year, but what a great runner-up effort
by the boys.
The boys also beat the two finalists that played in the Baltimore MYLA Division
A championship rounding out the best season ever and finishing one of the best
teams in MD. Most importantly, the boys had a great time! Congratulations to
Coach Marc Dubick and Doug Firstenberg and the entire Bethesda U13A team for a
fantastic season!
BETHESDA U13-B:
The U13-B (Midget) team finished with a record of 20-11-1 winning 2/3rd's of their 32
games and playing many of the best competitors in MD. In both of the year's final
tournaments (Lax Splash & Beach Lax), the boys played strong, but missed winning
in their groupings by a single goal in each tournament. The U13-A and U13-B
practiced together and had some supplemental coaching from some of the area's
Major League Lacrosse players throughout the year. From the winter development
to the final Ocean City tournament and year-end party, it was a great season of
development and good times! Thanks Coach Andrew Hosker and Doug Gansler for
leading this team's success.
BETHESDA U11-A:
Bethesda's U11 (Lightning) team also had a fantastic season. The team finished
the season with an 18-6 record playing some of the toughest competition in the
Baltimore/DC region. Our program focused on player development---both at the
individual level and as a team. During the winter, our team played in a winter
indoor recreational league where the boys sharpened their skills in a fun and
exciting format. During the spring outdoor season, they participated in both
the Bethesda League, as well as, the Baltimore area’s Harco County League. Our
tournament schedule included Baltimore's Lax Splash Tournament and Ocean City's
Beach Lax Tournament. We demonstrated our commitment to player development by
supplementing our regular practices throughout the season with skills training
by some of today's Major League Lacrosse star players. These sessions were a huge hit with the boys. Successful off-field team building highlights included a spring bowling
party and an end of season banquet. Way to go, Coach Cliff Gross & Dan Tate!
BETHESDA U9-A:
The Bethesda U-9 Tykers had an outstanding season finishing with a record of
10-3 and won the Championship title in the 2009 Lax Splash Tournament in Baltimore by
defeating Hereford 9-8 in an exciting overtime game. They also participated in
the Beach Lax tournament in Ocean City. The team improved immensely over the
course of the season as the boys were challenged to broaden their skills. In
addition to developing fundamentals, they implemented set clears and rides,
multiple defenses, and offenses. Practices were fast paced as the coaches asked
the kids to focus on becoming students of the game. Looking to the future, there
is a strong nucleus of returning players to continue the Bethesda Tyker
tradition. Thanks for head coach, Dave Zolet, and his team of coaches, Eric
Russell, Tom Morris, and Al Jenkins!
Again, thanks so much to every parent out there and, of course all the volunteers,
without your efforts none of these great experiences for these boys would ever be possible. Have a great summer and we'll be in touch soon.
Andrew Hosker
Bethesda Lacrosse Travel Commissioner
