There’s a particular aspect of professional lacrosse I have always noticed, and that is there’s multiple leagues with the same names participating. Numerous athletes play two different styles (indoor and outdoor) at opposing annual frequencies. Even more participate in Canadian leagues.
This is the biggest attraction, and yet largest flaw, for lacrosse.
For many, including myself, it is very challenging to follow a player across leagues, year round, who they’re playing with on which team, etc. NFL, MLB, NBA are all one team, one annual season times, and the media and leagues do very well with organizing who is going where and relaying that to the public.
For those diehard lacrosse fans, also such as myself, the multiple leagues ensures year-round lacrosse entertainment with familiar faces/names. I love the fact there’s lacrosse action all the time, but I hate that the same players play on different teams in different leagues. It’s too much to follow if I’m following other sports, as well.
With that said, I see the benefits to playing nonstop and in different styles. I’d like to talk about the Ohio Machine and their roster members who, while waiting for MLL to start up, are gearing up for the 2014-2015 NLL season.
Dominique Alexander enters the NLL exactly one year younger than I, at 23 years old. The Machine picked him up from Ohio State in the 2013 Collegiate Draft. He participated in both the MLL 2013 and 2014 seasons (graduated college 2013). Dominique wore #23 while playing midfield, dominating the defensive front at 6’2″ and 188 pounds.
Alexander’s strengths are on the defensive side of the ball. He is a loose/ground ball recovery machine (isn’t that convenient) and loves to body up on opponents. Very aggressive and agile, Alexander is able to stay between the offender and the cage in most instances.
For the Minnesota Swarm, Dominique also dons #23 whilst playing defense. He was selected in the 2013 Collegiate Draft but didn’t participate in 2014. The Swarm may look for more of a presence from him this season.
Marcus Holman initially attracted loads of attention at UNC where he played attack and racked up 133 career points (84 G, 49 A). After graduating in 2013, he played 10 games with the Ohio Machine and still stood fourth on the roster standings in points.
While at UNC, Marcus played under his father Brian Holman, assistant coach for the team. His father (Brian) was a goalie at Hopkins from 1980-1983. Therefore, it’s obvious Marcus’ success comes from his early exposure and good fatherly coaching throughout his life.
Holman has signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Swarm. As far as I know, this will be his first ‘real’ indoor exposure. However, I think he’ll thrive and take away numerous new skills. For a very young player, Holman shows a lot of promise.
Logan Schuss is yet another Ohio Machine player picked up by the Minnesota Swarm.
Schuss is the same age as Holman, and was drafted just one pick ahead of him (Schuss 11th overall, Holman 12th overall), and also grew up around lacrosse in British Columbia. Schuss played in numerous Canadian leagues and attended Ohio State from 2010-2013, where he stood out by setting almost every school record that’s important to his position (points, goals, assists, etc.).
Last year with the Swarm, Schuss racked up 73 points as a lefty forward.
Kiel Matisz is the next installment in the ‘partnership’ between the Ohio Machine and Minnesota Swarm. In two seasons with the Swarm, Matisz went to one postseason.
Matisz is a 6’5”, 210lb., transition powerhouse for the Swarm, and midfielder for the Machine. Coming from Stoney Creek, Ontario, he has played lacrosse his entire life. He has 108 career points with the Swarm, and was drafted in the 2012 Collegiate Draft by the Hamilton Nationals.
Chad Wiedmaier along with the Machine plays NLL for the former Philadelphia Wings, now New England Black Wolves. He plays defense for both teams.
Wiedmaier grew up in New Jersey and went on the play NCAA at Princeton. In 2012, he was drafted by the Hamilton Nationals and played the season with them. Now with the Machine, he’s a consistent defensive presence.
Last year for the Wings, Wiedmaier even found the goal a few times on top of his defensive abilities.
For the players who participate with the Machine and Swarm, they’re in a good position to play together year round, bettering their communication and anticipation of one another’s movements. Not a minute passes that they won’t be on the same page.
There’s the obvious, that skills learned in indoor can be applied to field play anytime and are preferred skills such as stick protection, aggressiveness, and ball control.
