New England Lacrosse Journal‘s Chasing The Goal

Kyle and Owen interview Matt Chandik, the Director of Communications for Dynamic Sports Management and Social Media Director of the National Lacrosse Federation. The discussion covers Matt's journey from writing for his college newspaper to becoming a key figure in lacrosse media and event management. They explore the intricacies of handling large-scale lacrosse events, the impact of social media on the sport, and how authentic storytelling can set apart lacrosse content. 
 
Topics
01:30 Meet Our Guest: Matt Chandik
02:21 Matt's Journey into Lacrosse Media
06:33 Challenges and Rewards of Lacrosse Event Management
13:25 The Reality of Lacrosse as a Career
24:43 The Rise of High School Sports Edits
25:58 Challenges of Social Media Content
27:04 The Importance of Quality in Sports Clips
28:15 Engagement and Follower Dynamics
30:07 The Evolution of Sports Media
31:17 The Future of Lacrosse Media
43:59 Memorable Lacrosse Moments
47:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen sit down with Mike Silipo, the new head coach of St. Sebastian's lacrosse team. The podcast explores Silipo’s transition from a successful tenure at Boston University to taking the helm at St. Sebastian's. They discuss the intricacies of coaching at different levels, the importance of simplicity in strategy, and the nuances of the face-off and shot clock in modern lacrosse. Silipo shares insights on team dynamics, his approach to player development, and his philosophy on coaching both on and off the field. This episode also touches on the rich lacrosse culture in Massachusetts, the relationships among rival coaches, and the unique challenges and rewards of high school coaching. Join them for an in-depth conversation about the journey of building a lacrosse program and preparing young athletes for success.
 
Topics
00:56 Welcome to Chasing the Goal Podcast
01:57 Interview with Mike Silipo: New Head Coach of St. Sebastian's
02:44 Coaching Philosophy and Experience
04:00 Transition to High School Coaching
06:30 Offensive Strategies and Player Development
08:39 Challenges and Adaptations in Coaching
21:00 The Importance of Face-Offs in Lacrosse
23:53 Box Lacrosse vs. Field Lacrosse
24:20 The Importance of the Ride
24:40 Differentiating Midfielders and Attackmen
25:44 Training and Player Development
27:40 Rivalries and Mental Warfare
29:26 Motivational Tactics and Coaching Stories
31:58 Balancing Relationships and Performance
40:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Kyle and Owen, along with guest Marty Bowes, discuss various aspects of coaching youth lacrosse. Marty shares his experiences working as the Director of Coach and Player Education at Mass Youth Lacrosse, his journey into the role, and the importance of coach education. The conversation covers practical strategies for coaching youth players, such as implementing a three-second rule to promote quick decision-making and off-ball movement, and the significance of rewarding unselfish play. They also address common challenges faced by youth coaches, including managing skill level differences and dealing with overzealous parents. The episode highlights the importance of maintaining positivity, creating a supportive environment for players, and embedding the rich history of lacrosse in coaching practices.
 
Topics
02:10 Guest Introduction: Marty Bowes
02:25 Marty's Role at Mass Youth Lacrosse
04:30 Challenges of Coaching Youth Lacrosse
05:50 Coaching Techniques and Strategies
15:20 Parental Involvement in Youth Sports
22:56 Promoting Team Play and Skill Development
29:55 Team Dynamics and Parental Expectations
30:42 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development
32:49 The Value of Assists in Lacrosse
33:42 Encouraging Team Play and Unselfishness
44:42 The Importance of Off-Ball Movement
54:06 Youth Coaching and Positive Experiences

Brooks coach Ian Speliotis joins Kyle and Owen. They discuss the challenges of logistics in off-season, the importance of family support, the excitement of college lacrosse, and the personal story behind Owen's allegiance to UNC. Speliotis shares insights into his background, his journey from being a student at Brooks to his coaching stint at Culver Academies, and his return to Brooks. They emphasize the importance of culture, commitment, and community in building a successful lacrosse program.Speliotis highlights a signature win against Rivers that marked a turning point for the team and outlines the recruiting approach focused mainly on the Northeast while welcoming talent from across the country and beyond. The conversation encapsulates the passion and dedication required to elevate a lacrosse team within the competitive landscape of the ISL.
 
Topics
00:54 Thanksgiving and Lacrosse Talk
01:41 UNC Fandom Origins
03:07 Guest Introduction: Coach Ian Speliotis
03:25 Coach Ian's Lacrosse Journey
05:22 Balancing Hockey and Lacrosse
08:30 Experiences at St. Michael's College
14:43 Brooks School and Community
18:59 Culver Academies Experience
23:58 Reflecting on a Season Cut Short
24:28 Learning from Experienced Coaches
25:08 Building Player Relationships
25:44 The Importance of Team Culture
26:42 Commitment and Sacrifices in Prep Schools
28:00 The Prep School Experience
29:56 Community and Support at Brooks
41:01 Signature Wins and Turning Points
46:17 Recruiting Strategies and Challenges
49:08 Looking Forward to the Season

Kyle and Owen chat with Elliott Bender, a renowned box lacrosse player and coach known from Instagram and TikTok as 'The Box Lacrosse Guy.' The discussion delves into the growing prominence of box lacrosse, its distinct differences from field lacrosse, and how Bender transitioned from a player to a content creator to fill the knowledge gap for American players. Elliott shares personal anecdotes, the challenges and techniques unique to box lacrosse, and practical drills to enhance skills. The conversation also highlights the importance of finding the right program for young players and the evolution of the sport including women's box lacrosse. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and improving in box lacrosse.
 
Topics
00:31 Anecdotes and NBA vs. PLL
01:18 Guest Introduction: Elliott Bender
01:30 Elliott's Lacrosse Journey
03:35 Box Lacrosse Training and Experience
10:38 The Evolution of Box Lacrosse
12:16 Box Lacrosse vs. Field Lacrosse
19:43 Content Creation and Advocacy
27:55 The Friendly Intensity of Box Lacrosse
28:39 Women's Box Lacrosse: A Different Game
30:59 Comparing Men's and Women's Lacrosse
35:13 The Evolution of Lacrosse Gear
38:47 The Rise of Box Lacrosse Travel Teams
42:14 Essential Drills for Box Lacrosse
48:53 Conclusion and Future Plans

Kyle and Owen are joined by new Clark University men's lacrosse coach Matt Colombini. The discussion covers Colombini’s background, his coaching philosophy, and the unique experiences at Emerson College. They delve into his approach to building a competitive lacrosse culture focusing on toughness, preparation, and team-first mentality. The conversation also touches on the challenges of recruiting versatile players, the importance of not specializing too early, and the exciting prospects for Clark's lacrosse program under new leadership. The episode highlights the value of a fifth-year free program at Clark, strategic travel schedules for competitive play, and the anticipation of a dynamic new era for Clark lacrosse.
 
Topics
00:49 Guest Introduction: Matt Colombini
01:25 Coaching at Emerson College
02:43 Unique Experiences at Emerson
05:15 Transition to Clark University
06:59 Recruitment Strategies and Challenges
15:14 Core Values and Team Culture
17:09 Fifth Year Free Program
19:29 Recruitment Criteria and Core Values
21:12 Balancing Talent and Team Fit
22:55 Position Flexibility and Player Development
26:34 The Goalie's Journey
28:19 Building a Competitive Schedule
32:02 Alumni Support and Program Potential
35:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen are joined by Patrick Wallace from Goalie Gurus. The discussion covers the unique mentality and challenges of lacrosse goalies, including their psychological pressures and the evolution of goalie training techniques. Patrick shares his expertise on recruiting goalies, evaluating their performance, and the importance of mental health and leadership training. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of goaltending, the effectiveness of the 10-man ride, and the importance of athletic and quick decision-making abilities for goalies.
 
Visit www.goaliegurus.com
 
Topics
00:47 Introducing the Goalie Coach
01:25 The Mentality of a Successful Goalie
02:58 Recruiting and Training Goalies
04:57 Evolving Goalie Techniques
08:03 Challenges and Psychology in Coaching
13:42 Youth Coaching and Goalkeeping IQ
22:43 Advanced Strategies and Sub Games
25:25 The Role of LSM in Lacrosse
26:14 Specialty Positions and Their Impact
27:02 Evaluating Goalie Performance
28:20 The Importance of Game Data
28:58 Club vs. College Rules
30:07 The Evolution of Midfielders
31:58 The 10-Man Ride Strategy
34:29 Coaching Techniques for Goalies
45:01 Memorable Saves and Goalie Stories
49:15 Conclusion and Goalie Gurus Information

Kyle and Owen are joined by Carter Rice, a standout midfielder for the Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). They discuss the end of the college lacrosse season, the transition to professional play, and Rice's experiences and challenges in the PLL. The conversation also delves into Rice's time at Syracuse University, his transition from an offensive to a defensive midfielder, and his memories of high school lacrosse rivalries. Additionally, Rice shares his thoughts on playing under coach Anthony Kelly, the emotional rollercoaster of playoffs, and his goals outside lacrosse.
 
Topics
00:18 Reflecting on Playoff Season
01:02 Special Guest: Carter Rice
04:20 Transition to Professional Lacrosse
10:54 College Memories and Rivalries
21:48 Recognizing Talent: Freshman Year Reflections
22:08 Deciding to Go Pro: The Aha Moment
22:54 Post-PLL Career Plans
23:44 Branding and NIL Experiences
24:59 Coaching Aspirations and Experiences
25:44 Adjusting to PLL Rules and Dynamics
27:17 Defensive Strategies and Techniques
33:40 Funny Stories and Locker Room Tales
39:13 Chasing the Championship Dream
40:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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