Kyle and Owen share their experiences from a summer packed with lacrosse tournaments and coaching. Kyle, broadcasting from a hotel in Scarborough, Maine, discusses his summer schedule, highlighting various tournaments like the New Hampshire-Vermont All-Star Game and the Legacy Tournament in Devens, Massachusetts. He also touches on the evolving dynamics of club teams and recruiting trends. Owen recounts his coaching stint with the Eastern Mass Hawks, detailing the challenges and joys of coaching 2026 players. The duo also explores the importance of fitting in the right college both academically and athletically, shares insights on handling social media in recruitment, and offers tips for parents in the recruiting process. The episode wraps up with a preview of Kyle's upcoming coaching stint at the Lake Placid tournament and news of a coaching change at Clark University.

Topics

00:42 Summer Lacrosse Tournaments Recap

01:49 New Hampshire vs Vermont All-Star Game

02:51 Coaching and Tournament Experiences

05:39 Advice for Lacrosse Parents and Players

07:21 Service Academies and Early Commitments

14:10 MIAA vs ISL All-Star Game

21:27 New England Lacrosse Showcase Insights

26:38 Parental Expectations and Player Performance

26:57 NLS Tournament Highlights

27:45 Challenges of Coaching JV Teams

28:50 Commitment Updates and Recruiting Trends

31:45 Coaching Experiences and Reflections

34:00 Club Coaching Insights and Anecdotes

36:44 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

47:04 Upcoming Coaching Events and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen welcome Ralph Nelson, a key figure in Maine's lacrosse landscape. It’s a comprehensive conversation revolving around the foundation and growth of Maine's lacrosse community. The trio discusses the successful creation of a summer league for college athletes, the challenges faced in organizing it, and the overwhelming buy-in from players. Ralph shares his coaching journey, from his initial role at various schools to building the lacrosse program at Waynflete School. The discussion also touches on the logistics of maintaining a lacrosse team in smaller schools, the challenges of balancing a tight-knit player community, and exciting plans for a fall high school league future.

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production.

Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

Topics

00:49 Introducing the Guest: Ralph Nelson

02:40 Maine Lacrosse Summer League: The Origin Story

04:16 Challenges and Logistics of Running the League

06:24 Community and Player Buy-In

19:35 Ralph Nelson's Lacrosse Journey

23:14 Balancing Social Life and Lacrosse

23:29 Early Coaching Career

23:52 Challenges of Coaching Lacrosse

24:41 Transition to Club Coaching

25:49 Building a Lacrosse Program

27:32 Struggles with Team Numbers

30:39 Coaching Philosophy and Challenges

41:02 Future Plans and Initiatives

The guest is Winchester High School head lacrosse coach Phil Reuland. The conversation covers several topics including the trials and tribulations of coaching, the impact of injuries, and the importance of adaptability in coaching strategies. Coach Reuland shares anecdotes from his extensive coaching career, emphasizing the need to tailor strategies to the strengths of the players, highlighting memorable wins, and discussing how the sport has evolved over the years. They also touch upon the unique challenges faced by public schools in the evolving landscape of lacrosse, particularly in contrast to private and prep schools.

Topics

01:17 Welcoming the Guest: Coach Phil Reuland

01:35 Coach's Lacrosse Journey

03:39 Transition to Coaching

05:18 Challenges and Achievements as a Coach

11:13 Impact of COVID on Lacrosse

14:41 Public vs. Private School Lacrosse Dynamics

23:18 Future of Lacrosse Divisions

26:35 Challenges of Managing Lacrosse Injuries

27:15 Impact of Injuries on Team Dynamics

33:07 Memorable Wins and Coaching Highlights

36:51 Coaching Philosophy and Strategies

45:41 Adapting to Changes in Lacrosse

52:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts