MISSOULA – The University of Montana mens lacrosse team dropped their season opening match in Spokane this weekend by the score of 11-13 to Gonzaga University. The teams swapped goals throughout the contest but the Griz were unable to match the Zags in the end – and will have plenty of work to do in snowy Missoula this week as a result.

Finding the back of the Zag net for the Grizzlies were Griz junior attackman Pat Shelso (Memphis, TN) and senior midfielder Kent Davis (Denver, CO), who each recorded hat tricks in the match. Also registering points for the Griz were Henry Bishop, J.D. Chapman, Jordan Wade, Andrew Wenzl and Dan Finnigan. Miscues and struggles at the faceoff-X proved too much to surmount, but stretches of solid defensive and offensive play showed promise for the squad.

March 2 will find the Griz loaded up a Beachliner bus headed for Salt Lake City, where they will face sturdy RMLC opponents in the University of Utah and Westminster College. In the meantime the Griz will look to tighten up their play to well-represent the PNCLL in foreign territory to begin March.

A full gallery of images from the game will be available at GrizLax.com Tuesday evening, and the site will continue to post regular updates on Griz Lacrosse throughout the season.

]]> http://grizlax.com/griz-drop-opener-prepare-for-utah/feed/ 0 http://grizlax.com/griz-gear-up-for-gonzaga/ http://grizlax.com/griz-gear-up-for-gonzaga/#comments Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:28:40 +0000 Will http://grizlax.com/?p=1365

MISSOULA – The University of Montana Mens Lacrosse Team completed their last practice of the week Friday in anticipation of their season-opening Saturday matchup with the Bulldogs of  Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Loading a Beachliner coach bus as 8:30 Sat. morning, the Griz will look to start their 2012 campaign off on the right foot with a win against the familiar Zags.

The Griz faced Gonzaga in their last scrimmage of their fall schedule, dropping an overtime loss to the PNCLL Div. 2 foes, and will look to reverse the trend with a strong performance to start their spring. Updates on the game will available in real time on the Griz Lacrosse Twitter feed , and a postgame report and photographs will be available Saturday evening upon the team’s return to Missoula.

MISSOULA – The Griz men’s lacrosse team’s Tuesday practice  was visited by eight-year Major League Lacrosse standout and former national player of the year winner Chris Rotelli, who appeared at a clinic for youth lacrosse hosted by Missoula Elite Lacrosse at Hellgate High School this week.

Rotelli, who won the 2003 Tewaaraton Trophy as the top men’s lacrosse player in the nation while at Virginia, spoke with Griz players and coaches at the Griz’s practice in Washington-Grizzly stadium Feb. 14. Pleased to see the sport alive and strong in the Northern Rockies, Rotelli emphasized the importance of safe play and proper equipment to promote safety at the college level. “At this level you guys take and give big hits,” said Rotelli. “Make sure you’ve got a good helmet.”

Now done with his playing career and working for Cascade Lacrosse, Rotelli works to promote the sport of  west of the Mississippi.

Joe Kirkendall

Year: Freshman

Position: Defense

Ht: 5’11”

Wt: 175 lb.

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Joe is trying the transition from Defense to Midfield to vie for more playing time this season for the Grizzlies. His defensive instincts are making the transition to  offense harder than he anticipated, but with continued practice he hopes to be an asset on both side of the field. His major remains undeclared, but he’s certainly an avid outdoors men who enjoys hiking, hunting and snowboarding.

Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy

Favorite Food: Paseos

Favorite Athlete: Owen Schmitt

Sport I would play other than Lacrosse: Hockey

Celebrity Crush: Jessica Alba

A GrizLax Lapse from ScottKrueger on Vimeo.

A timelapse of a February practice at Washington Grizzly Stadium in Missoula by Griz defenseman Scott Krueger, a media arts major at the University of Montana.

MISSOULA – The University of Montana Mens Lacrosse Team began practice for their 2012 campaign with a three-hour gym practice on campus Sunday, marking the official start of the spring season. With three weeks separating the squad from their season opener against Gonzaga in Spokane Feb. 18, the Griz will focus on stick skills and conditioning to prepare themselves for the field.

The 2012 edition of Montana Lacrosse will include a number of new faces, particularly on the defensive side of the field. A thick crop of longsticks will compete for playing time, and 2010 netminder Hank Vieten (Hanover, NH) will take over starting goaltending duties from Stuart Dransfield (Woodinville, WA), who will redshirt the season. Familiar to Griz fans will be  junior captains Charlie Forsyth (Bainbridge Island, WA) and Henry Bishop (Portland, OR), as well as returning senior captain and 2011 MVP Kent Davis (Denver, CO).

Updates on the team’s progress will be available throughout the season on GrizLax.com.

Scott Krueger 

Kent Davis

Trevor Curie

Year: Junior

Position: Defense

Ht: 6’3”

Wt: 215 lb.

Hometown: Portland, OR

Trevor a new member to the lacrosse team deciding to play this year after sitting out last season. He played at Thacher High School and then transferred from Occidentao College playing one year of lacrosse. He will be looking to bolster the defense will already great experience but with his size and athletic ability he will be a great addition to the team. He enjoys hiking and floating the river which first brought him to Montana. He is currently obtaining a degree in forest with 2 years remaining of school and eligibility.

Favorite Movie: Big Lebowski

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Athlete: Terrell Suggs

Sport I would play other than Lacrosse: Basketball

Celebrity Crush: Kim Kardashion, definitely not Chloe

J.D. Chapman

Year: Freshman

Pos: Attack

Ht: 5’ 9”

Wt: 170

Home Town: Woodenville, WA

J.D. Chapman decided to bring his talents to Montana after winning last years 2011 Washington High School State Championship while receiving offensive player of the game. Chapman has adapted well to the collegiate game and received a good amount of playing time during the fall season. Chapman has shown remarkable inside finishing skills and releasing low angle shots that find the back of the net. J.D.’s major is currently athletic training and he looks forward to his first season with the Grizzlies.

Favorite Movie: Shooter

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan

Sport I would play other than Lacrosse: Football

Celebrity Crush: Jessica Beal