Midwest Region Games of the Week, May 1-7

By Eric S. Smith

There are some great regular-season games in the northern half of the Midwest region, but in Louisiana the postseason is here. In Shreveport, they will crown the first ever Louisiana High School Lacrosse League champion. Winning extends the season and losing only makes the summer come faster.

May 1

Brother Rice Warriors, MI (State Power Rating: 99.05 Rank: 1) vs. Worthington Kilbourne Wolves, OH (State PR: 99.20 Rank: 1)

The last time these two teams met back in 2007, it was all Warriors. This time around could be very different. Both teams have loads of talent on both ends of the field. The Warriors are led by middie Dan Henneghan and attackman Nick Dolik on the offensive end as those two have helped the Warriors average 13.3 goals per game. On the other end, not much gets by All-American goalie T.J. Yost.

The Wolves have the talent to challenge Yost and the defense. Pat Riffee, Drew Roper and Austin Wright can all get to the goal and score seemingly at will. Also, defender Lucas Wood and his mates will be responsible for Henneghan, Dolik and company. Kilbourne will be playing at home, but only two days after playing rival Upper Arlington. Fresh legs may be a major factor in this one.


Cathedral Irish, IN (State PR: 91.79 Rank: 2) vs. Carmel Greyhounds, IN (State PR: 89.77 Rank: 4)

The Irish have won three of the last four meetings, the only Greyhound win coming in the state championship back in 2005. Cathedral recently lost their first game of the season, but even in defeat the Irish can put up points. They scored 17 in an 18-17 overtime loss to Zionsville, and have averaged 18.1 goals per outing. Justin McGinnis (49 goals and 20 assists) and Tim Bolger (32 goals and 33 assists) have led this offense with their superb skill level.

The Greyhounds have also shown a great ability to score as they put up 11 goals per game. Their offense is built around two solid leaders who may not have the gaudy numbers of McGinnis and Bolger, but can certainly play. Curtis Pittman can score the ball himself with 11 goals on the year, but really excels at setting up his teammates as he has 17 assists thus far. Alex Eaton has proven himself to be more of a pure scorer with 17 goals and nine assists on the year. This one could certainly give the scorekeeper headaches.


Toledo St. John's Titans, OH (State PR: 94.34 Rank: 9) vs. Hudson Explorers, OH (State PR: 95.51 Rank: 7)

The Explorers have won each meeting between these two teams during the last three seasons, but this is perhaps the best Titans team in school history. Riley Seidel leads an offense that has averaged just below 10 goals per game. Between the pipes, St. John's has a solid goalie in Ben Connors, who will be called upon for a big game if the Titans are to change their fate against Hudson.

The Explorers' offense is paced by a deadly duo of middie Bobby Tyler and attacker Connor McMahon. On defense, Hudson is big and physical. Syracuse recruit Griffin Vehar and Cooper Charlton headline the defense, while Andrew Hoelzel is a force in the net. Scoring on him will be a challenge for the Titans, especially if they come out flat after the two-hour bus ride across northern Ohio.

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2009-04-29