WPSLA "OLD NEWS" - SPRING 1998

PITTSBURGH, PA - May 13 - For the first time in the history of its 12-year program Mt. Lebanon will compete in the 'A' Bracket at the Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association Tournament, this weekend, May 15-16, at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. The #2 seeded Blue Devils (17-2) will take on #3 Brother Rice in the first round at 3:30. Mt. Lebanon beat Brother Rice earlier this season in a 9-8 O.T. thriller in Mt. Lebanon. Sewickley Academy gained the 4th seed in the 'A' Bracket and will take on top-seeded Upper Arlington at 3:30. This is also the first time two teams from Western Pennsylvania have been in the Championship Bracket. In other games of local interest, Franklin Regional gained the #7 seed and will take on the #6 seed Worthington-Kilbourne at 5:30 in the 'B' Bracket, and #14 seeded Shady Side Academy meets the #15 seed Birmingham-Seaholm at 3:30 in the 'D' Bracket. - Rick Bojalad, Coach - Mt. Lebanon

MURRYSVILLE, PA - May 5 -After leading by only one goal at halftime, Mt. Lebanon (15-2) went on a 7-0 run in the third quarter and held on for a 13-8 victory over Franklin Regional, in a key W.P.S.L.A./M.S.L.A. contest.  Blake Beachler led all scorers with 5 goals, 2 assists, while Kee Won Song contributed 4 goals, 1 assist for the Blue Devils.  Franklin Regional (10-2) was led by Steve McConahey (3,0), and David Free (3,0).  Incidentally, Beachler eclipsed another milestone this past week, scoring his 200th career goal.  - Rick Bojalad, Coach - Mt. Lebanon

PITTSBURGH, PA - Apr. 28 - Mt. Lebanon assumed the the top spot in the W.P.S.L.A. standings Tuesday night, knocking off Sewickley Academy 10-5.  It is the first time in the history of the series Mt. Lebanon has beaten Sewickley at Mt. Lebanon Stadium.  After trailing early 2-0 Mt. Lebanon stormed back on an 8-0 run while keeping Sewickley scoreless for over 29 minutes. While Mt. Lebanon's top guns Blake Beachler (3-1), K.J. Song (2-1), and K.W. Song (1-2) all contributed to the cause it was unsung hero Andy Ho whose 4 goals led all scorers for the Blue Devils. Goalie Pete DeSantis led the defensive stand making 13 saves in the contest.  The win improved the Blue Devils' W.P.S.L.A. record to 6-0, 12-2 overall. "The last two games we really have played our best ball of the year.  We have made a conscious effort recently to eliminate our mental errors in the defensive end and it really showed tonight. Our defense was very efficient, keeping Sewickley's time of possession down while committing only 2 personal fouls." - Coach Rick Bojalad

PITTSBURGH, PA. - Apr. 21 - We regret to inform everyone of the death of one of our friends, and lacrosse official. Francis Delmastro passed away on Monday, April 20,1998.  Francis suffered chest pains before last Thursday's lacrosse contest. He was a loyal friend and dedicated official not only to Allegheny Lax Officials Assoc. but to all the young men Francis came across over his broad officiating career. He will be  missed by us all. - Neil P. Haines, Official

PITTSBURGH, PA. - Apr. 20 - Peter Tulk, WPSLA Secretary, was informed today that the WPSLA All America allocation will be increased this season. The league will now be allowed two All Americans and one Academic All American.

BETHEL PARK, PA - Mar. 25 - Friday, March 20, Bethel Park scrimaged Norfolk Academy and won 6-2, Hampton Roads Academy (lost 3-6), and Franklin Regional (lost 4-6) In actual exhibition games on Saturday, Bethel Park lost to Hampton Roads Acad 8-3. In the game 1997 All League middie Dave Mihalcik was lost for 2 weeks with a concussion and returning starter Matt Mason injured his foot. After a couple of guys took minor bumps against Davidson-Hilliard (Oh), BP finished the game with only 6 short sticks avaliable, and lost 6-2. On Sunday Bethel Park lost to Tidewater 4-3 in OT. "All in all though, we had a great time, and played very well, " commented Bethel Park coach, Ken Sines. "We were overmatched at times, but never stopped fighting, and were complimented by many coaches, on our hard play." Ken Sines, Bethel Park

PRE-SEASON RANKINGS
Results of the coaches' pre-season poll
Feb. 5 - Just a reminder that the WPSLA Coaches Clinic will be held this Sunday Feb. 8 at 12:30 p.m. at Shadyside Academy in the gymnasium.  Please invite all of your coaches.

To all Coaches, Athletic Directors, and Team Reps (from Sam Shannon): The dates for lacrosse coaches First Aid and CPR classes have been set for Saturday, Feb. 14 at Mt. Lebanon High School and Saturday, Feb. 28 at North Hills High School. You may attend either date and eard both certificates. Class schedule for each site will be the same. Arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 AM for check in (bring $35 check made payable to Ralph Pagone) This covers either morning or afternoon session, as well as those attending all day.

These classes are open to all lacrosse coaches (and any of thier colleagues, spouses, etc.) needing either to update either certification for the upcoming lacrosse season. These certificates are mandatory for coaches in boys high school programs (and may soon become required for coaches in girls lacrosse as well).
  1. It's the right thing to do for yourself and the kids in your program. If an emergency should occur during a practice, game or travel, would you, as the responsible party, have the confidence that you'd know what to do - and what not to do?
  2. We have an excellent instructor, Mr. Ralph Pagone, a qualified paramedic with over 20 years experience, who is now a professional instructor. While there is an exam at the endof both classes, his instruction and course content is designed so that anyone who makes the effort to follow and understand the course WILL achieve these important credentials.
  3. Our CPR certification (through the American Heart Association) is good for two years versus one year for the Red Cross Course.
  4. The special rate Mr. Pagone is offering for this Lacrosse Coaches class is $35 for one or BOTH certifications - compared to $60 or more if arranged through other agencies.
Please confer with your staff then advise Sam the names of your attendees and which date. Please leave both dates open to facillitate scheduling.

The "Red Cross First Aid Manual" will be available on class days, for an additional $13.50 (it is advised that you purchase one to keep with your team's medical kit. CPR-Barrier Protective Masks will also be available for your medical kit.. They ensure that saliva, vomit, etc. is not transferred between rescurer and patient. Throw away type ($4.00) or professional ($20.00) which is washable and should last a long time.

Thank you!

Sam Shannon
491 Duquesne Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
412-343-8797 (evenings)

BALDWIN, PA - Jan. 7 - This year the team is under new coaching, the new coach is an old Baldwin Lacrosse star, and was the old coach of Upper St. Clair's Junior Varisty team. His name is Eric Gottschalk. Eric is assisted by another Baldwin Lacrosse great, Steven Faingnaert. Eric was an All City goalie in his Senior year at Baldwin and Steven was his Crease Defensemen. In the past Baldwin Lacrosse has not had a good reputation in the Pittsburgh area. This year Eric and Steven hope to change that. Submitted by: Clint Wyckoff, Baldwin Lacrosse

PITTSBURGH, PA - Dec. 10 - The coaches of the WPSLA voted yesterday to support the creation and maintanence of a web site to serve the Western Pennsylvania area lacrosse community. The site is to maintained by Jeff Dreisbach, Lacrosse Coach, University High School, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Coaches are requested to send their schedules to Jeff ASAP. Non WPSLA games may be included for interest.

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