Every Member Gets Chance To Play For Eastside Lacrosse

Wednesday - May 13, 2009
By Jack Danilewicz
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Eastside members Taylor Bergstrom, Ted Marr, Josh Kitchcock, Lincoln Liesemeyer and goalkeeper Alex Schab defend against a Miliani team in a recent Hawaii Youth Lacrosse Association game at Kapiolani Park. Eastside lost the game 7-3. Photo courtesy of Barry Marr.

As with any sport, members of the Windward-based lacrosse team Eastside can’t predict wins or losses, but they can predict the playing time they will get from game to game.

Eastside coach Barry Wood makes it known that he’s an equal-opportunity employer on the playing field.

“We play with the idea of playing well and playing everyone,” said Wood, who carries a 20-man roster, which is the limit for teams competing in the Hawaii Youth Lacrosse Association (Prep Division).“I’ve always gotten the idea that they’re happier when they’re all having a chance to play. We make a conscious effort to get all of our players into the game.”

Lacrosse dates back to as early as the 12th century and has always been popular on the East Coast. In recent years, the sport has seen its popularity multiply, especially in the West, according to Wood, who was born and raised in Hawaii before attending college and playing lacrosse at Kenyon College in Ohio.

“Lacrosse is one of the most elegant, gracious and beautiful sports that exists, and it has a long history,” said Wood. “The skill and finesse required to play at higher levels is something to behold.”


 

In Wood’s case, many of his players come to the program new to the sport.

“For the vast majority, it’s their first time,” he said. “It would certainly be better if they could learn younger. Some who transfer in with families affiliated with the

military have played quite a bit, and there’s a significant difference in skill level. One of the beauties of the game of lacrosse is that if you work to get better, you will get better.”

On that note, Eastside takes a disciplined approach to its three workouts a week, which are held at Lanikai Elementary School.

“You play like you practice,” he said. “If you practice well, you will play well.”

Wood’s Eastside team currently competes in a six-team league (club format) with teams from Punahou, Iolani, Kapolei, Mililani and a team that competes under the banner of Wolfpack and is akin to Interscholastic League of Honolulu member Pac-Five. While wins have been hard to come by for Eastside this season,

Wood stops well short of measuring success merely by wins and losses.

“Part of our mission statement is to honor lacrosse,” said Wood, whose coaching staff includes Cesar Acosta and Ray Schab. “Our approach is pretty basic. We’re concerned with safety, having fun and playing the game as it was intended to be played.”

At the prep level especially, the H.Y.L.A. is unique in that players can play alongside student athletes from other schools.

Lincoln Liesemeyer is a student at Punahou but plays for Eastside, although the Buffanblu also has a team of its own in the league. A junior, Liesemeyer leads the Eastside team along with senior Matt Burkhalter (Assets) and sophomore Josh Hitchcock (Kalaheo).


“Lincoln has a lot of desire to improve - he strives to get better all the time,” Wood said of Liesemeyer. “Josh is a first-year player, but he has all of the attributes and he’s very coachable.

“Matt is a premier athlete,” he added of Burkhalter. “He has the skill and desire and a great attitude. He works hard in practice and in games. I wish I had 20 like him.”

Next season, Wood will be looking to replenish his lineup with 10 seniors expected to complete their eligibility Sunday in Eastside’s season finale versus Kapolei at the University of Hawaii. (Game time was to be announced after press time.)

“I’m anxious to have more youngsters play,” Wood said.

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