By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The Elmhurst Lacrosse 10U Titans team recently capped off its season in style.
Elmhurst won the Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association championship (statewide playoffs) with three victories over Tinley Park, Lake Zurich and Fox Valley.
Elmhurst, whose team is comprised of fourth-grade players, kicked things off in the playoffs with a 5-4 win against the Tinley Park Bulldogs and then defeated Lake Zurich Blue 6-3 before downing Fox Valley No. 3 by a 6-4 count to win the IBLA championship in Glen Ellyn.
Team players include Jack Paschen, George Redfearn, Hunter Hanselman, Socrates Kapotas, Josh Venzor, Shane Trainer, Dean Kemph, Jack Lotito, AJ Olson, Mickey Schermer, Charlie Malcolm, Kade Imburgia, Trevor Rice, Jackson Nesheim, Simon Kodosky and Drew Pettorelli.
“Some of the guys on our team had zero experience coming into the season and some had a season or two,” noted Elmhurst coach Jason Nesheim. “We had kind of an up-and-down season, but we evolved at the end, were highly competitive and looked great.”
Nesheim noted the team lost to Fox Valley earlier in a May tournament final. “They were one of our biggest competitors,” he said. “We ended up finishing second to them in May and then were able to turn the tables on them. We knew what each other’s strengths and weaknesses were going into the game. Both teams were very familiar with each other. We flipped the game on them and moved the ball around the perimeter and waited for a scoring opportunity and capitalized. It was pretty impressive to see. Fox Valley typically has strong teams. For us, it’s one team with no cuts. What our guys did is highly impressive. We went in there and competed with them and won against a highly functional lacrosse program.”
Nesheim said team chemistry was at the top of the list of positives for his group. “The best thing they did was come together as a team,” he said. “They moved the ball around.”
And Elmhurst wasn’t too shabby on defense either, Nesheim explained. “Our defense played outstanding,” he said. “Our goalie was on point completely. And then our attack capped it. We moved the ball around straight up the field. It was flawless. What won us the game is us moving the ball around so quickly.”
Elmhurst played eight league games, the May tournament and then the playoffs.
“It was great to see our team that is a mix of entry-level kids and kids with some experience come in and win games and win a tournament and do well,” said Nesheim. “To do this well at such a young age group says a lot. Our goal is get kids into the sport and eventually funnel them to the high school. Seeing young kids win championships tells you there is good talent coming up the pipeline. We’re very proud of this group.”
