by John Selby ‘15
The 2013 Saint Ignatius Varsity Lacrosse team is a team of brothers. You can either take this statement figuratively or literally, and you would still be correct. Literally, the team is composed of three sets of brothers: the Mulach brothers, Pat ’15 plays Long Stick Middie and Mike’13 plays Middie; the Maruna brothers, Jacob ’14 plays Middie and Alex ’16 plays Middie/Defense; and the Avdey brothers, Mike ’13 plays Attack , Matt ’16 and Steve ’16 (twins) play Middie. Figuratively however, this team’s chemistry is special.
The relationship that any team develops throughout the course of season is a very important aspect of that team. It is what makes a team a TEAM. Good chemistry can really help the team through a tough time or it can help a team continue an outstanding season. In this team’s case, it is helping them continue one of their best season’s ever. As of May 23rd, the team is 14-1, with their only loss coming against one of the best teams in the state, the Hudson Explorers. Many of these wins having been dominating performances such as a 13-1 win over Shaker Heights, an 11-1 win over St. John’s Jesuit, a 13-4 over Saint Charles’ Prep, a 14-4 win over Westlake High School, and a 13-6 win over St. Edward. No doubt this team had question marks coming into the season. Three main leaders from last year’s team Brett Hornung ‘12, Max Rennillo ‘12, and Rustom Khouri ’12 all graduated, and the team would need new leaders. Well, they got them in C.J. Haag ‘13 (Goalie), Jake Maruna’14 (Middie), and Garrett Joseph’13 (Middie). These guys are accompanied by some excellent players like Mike Avdey ’13, Danny Hennessy ’13, and Joe Cillo ’13 who build an overall solid team on offense and on defense. Haag and Cillo lead the defense which Coach Pat McManamon ‘96 describes as, “a huge catalyst in games to get our offense going. Avdey and Hennessy lead the team in points, and Avdey has the highest shooting percentage on the team at 46%.
Coach McManamon certainly has a talented team on his hands. He believes one of the team’s main keys to success this year is their offensive balance as he describes, “No longer can teams just shut off one of our players; if they do, someone else is there to step right in and make them pay.” He is also very proud with the team’s mental toughness and fight. “We never give up in games and will keep fighting to the last whistle.”
This team for sure has a number of young and exciting players, but this is not the only aspect of the team which makes them great. The team’s chemistry is unmatched. “We love to joke around with each other at practice which keeps us loose but everyone knows when it’s time to be serious” says Pat Mulach ’15 (Long Stick Middie). Yes, the team literally is a team of brothers, and brothers fight. However, when asked about playing with his brother, Pat adds, “It helps for sure because of the sibling rivalry; neither one of us wants to get beat by the other.” While this is true, brothers are also there for each other and always have each others’ backs.
The 2013 Varsity Wildcat Lacrosse team certainly is special. They work extremely hard and practice TOGTHER six days a week, for they know that what they put in as a team now will benefit them as a team later. The potential for this team is very high as they continue their outstanding season and look to make a deep push into the playoffs. OHSLA postseason play kicks off with a May 25th game against the winner of Wadsworth and Brecksville.
