From current team information, to details on former players that suited up in the blue and gold, from insight on future 'Cats to a place for you to put your two cents in... this is the place to be for all Wildcat lax fans. Welcome to the den!
• A new WGlax.com site is on the way!! Stay tuned for a bigger and better site featuring even more information and content coming in early April.

West Genesee Wildcats: 2002 State Champions!!!
 picture galleries
[ gallery page 1 ] [ gallery page 2 ] [ gallery page 3 ]

• Weather Woes
Thursday nights contest against Corcoran has been postponed due to the recent return of winter here in Central New York. The game will be re-scheduled at a later date. Also, Saturday's 1:30pm (4/5) home game against Baldwinsville has been moved to Liverpool high school starting at 5:00pm..


• West Genesee completed yet another successful trip to the annual Danial Hand Jamboree in Madison, CT on Saturday March 29th. The Wildcats kicked off the day with an early morning contest against perennial Baltimore powerhouse Loyola. The 'Cats played to a 2-2 tie at the half with their starters but eventually fell to the Dons by the score of 7-2. The second game saw the Wildcats dominate all facets of the game in a state title rematch with downstate power Northport for a 12-1 victory. West Genesee's third game was a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the St. Anthony Friars where many underclassmen stepped up and contributed to the second half come-from-behind win. Genny closed out the day with a 5-2 win against the preseason number-one ranked Farmingdale Dalers. Great way to gear up for the season guys!!

• Two current 'Cats have recently made commitments to continue their educations along with playing lacrosse on the collegiate level. Senior net minder Casey Rotella will be in front of the cage playing for Herkimer, while senior defenseman Chris Bulawa is flying high after recently commiting to the Air Force Academy.

• Congratulations to former Wildcat PJ Burns who was named Athelete of the Week by the St. John Fisher Cardinals

• Brine Lacrosse errantly ran an ad in the March 28th Inside Lacrosse edition promoting a meeting between 6-time state champion Ward Melville Patriots and the "defending" NY state Champion Northport Tigers. The lacrosse manufacturer and publication have both since appologized for the error.

• The 2003 West Genesee Wildcat Lacrosse schedule poster from WGlax.com is now available. The 11" x 17" four-color limited edition posters will be available for $6 each or 2 for $10 at the concession stand during Wildcat home games. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the West Genesee lacrosse program. Grab one...or two for that matter for a refrigerator near you.

Final 2002 National Coaches/Computer Rankings
1 Landon MD 19-0
2 West Genesee NY 21-2
3 Boy's Latin MD 20-2
4 Northport NY 21-1
5 Ridley PA 22-0
6 Loyola MD 16-3
7 Deerfield Academy NE 16-0
8 Farmingdale NY 18-2
9 Georgetown Prep MD 19-4
10 Shoreham-Wading River NY 21-1
11 Delbarton NJ 20-2
12 Somers NY 22-1
13 Cold Spring Harbor NY 18-2
14 Ridgewood NJ 19-2
15 Fairport NY 20-2
16 Duxbury MA 25-0
17 Birmingham-Seaholm MI 23-1
18 Masspequa NY 16-3
19 Comsewogue NY 20-3
20 St. Mary's MD 12-8
21 Syosset NY 14-3
22 Henninger NY 17-3
23 Chaminade NY 16-3
24 Darien CT 18-3
25 Salisbury School NE 13-2
26 Ward Melville NY 15-3
Wildcats announce 2003 schedule

• The defending state champions will begin their quest to defend their title with a games against Southern Tier's Horseheads on 3/22 and at Jamesville-Dewitt on 3/26 before heading off to the annual Daniel Hand Tourney in Connecticut. The remaining games are as follows:

4/1 -Penn Yan (scrimmage)

4/3 - at Corcoran

4/5 - Baldwinsville

4/8 - at Liverpool

4/11 - Fayetteville-Manlius

4/17 - Nottingham

4/19 - Skaneateles

4/22 - at Baldwinsville

4/25 - at ESM

4/29 - Liverpool

5/2 - at Fayetteville-Manlius

5/6 - CNS

5/8 - at Oswego

5/13 - Central Square

5/15 - Auburn

5/17 - Watertown

5/20 - Henninger

Calabrese and Dabrowski feeling "Blue"

• West Genny's Brian Calabrese and Drew Dabrowski and their families better get used to wearing the color blue for at least the next four years as the two Wildcats have announced their college destinations as they enter their senior season .

Calabrese will be joining former Wildcat Dave Powers while playing defense for the University of Delaware Blue Hens in 2004. Meanwhile, attackman Drew Dabrowski has decided to lace up his cleats just up the road playing for Coach Dave Pietramela's John's Hopkin's Blue Jays. Dabrowski led the Wildcats in scoring as a junior with 33 goals and 37 assists.
Cassalia is Greyhound Bound

• Congratulations go to senior midfielder Matt Cassalia on his comittment to Loyola College to continue his lacrosse career and education! Cassalia goes on to join former 'Cats Steve Brundage, Kevin Burns and Bernie Cannon playing for Coach Bill Dirrigl's Greyhounds.

Three-year starter Cassalia earned All-America honors after leading the Wildcats to the New York State title in 2002. He scored 51 points a junior and won 72 percent (184 of 254) of his faceoff attempts.

1st Annual John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament

• Sunday August 18th marked the beginning of an annual tradition in honoring the memory of former West Genesee lacrosse player John Pepper who past away in 2001. Lacrosse teams from across the Central New York area came to compete in 3 diiferent divisions at the Richard Frisina Fields in Camillus.

Players were treated to a clinic by former West Genny and Syracuse Orangeman John Zulberti and former SU player Paul Gait as well as an insirational message from former Cornell coach Richie Moran.
• Future Wildcat AJ Luczka of WGMS keeps a close eye on a player from Jamesville-Dewitt . J-D went on to win the 5th/6th grade team championship.
• Former West Genesee/SU lax player John Zulberti and lacrosse legend Paul Gait gave pointers to all those in attendance.
• Future Wildcat Colin Crawford heads upfield against Skaneateles while playing for Coach Mike Schattner's team.
• Andrew Solamon, brother of current 'Cat Michael-Paul Solamon, received some one-on-one pointers from Paul Gait.
Wildcat Lacrosse Teams Honored

• The West Genesee Boys and Girls Varsity teams were honored together on July 30th in a special ceremony celebrating their 2002 state lacrosse championships. On a beautiful evening at Wildcat Stadium, team members received various individual and team awards and special recognition as "Wildcat Day" was proclaimed by state senator John DeFrancisco in front of hundreds of fans and relatives. Also in attendance were former Wildcat and current Syracuse University coach John Desko, State Assemblymen Hal Brown, Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro, Town of Camillus Supervisor Mary Ann Coogan and various other school administrators.

Below: Girls varsity captains Kelly Fitzgerald and Meghan O'Connell flank
Boy's captains Mark and Mike Conklin
New Look Wildcats in 2003??

• Rumour has it that the current style uniforms used since the early 90's are about to be replaced as a reward for capturing their 11th state championship. Athletic Director Tony Pascale made the announcement during the New York State Champions Awards ceremony.


2002 boys lacrosse wrap up

A total of 152 boys participated in and contributed to the continued success of the West Genesee lacrosse program in 2002. The Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman and both Middle School teams combined for an amazing overall record of 75-4! Great job guys, keep up the great work in 2003!

• The future of the varsity Wildcat team looks bright as the West Genny Junior Varsity boys closed out their 2002 season undefeated at 18-0 under Head Coach Tom Donahue and Assistant Coach Jim St. Croix. Look for many of this years players to return as the varsity stars of the future. "This was one of the most dedicated, hardworking groups of young men I have ever coached. Their perfect record (18-0) is a great reward for them. Congratulations on a great season."

• Coach Clark Martin's West Genesee Freshman boys lacrosse team finished their season undefeated at 12-0. Talent, skill and depth at all positions resulted in overall balanced scoring led by middie Brian Griffin and attackman Jeff Ryan. Both goalies were strong in the cage while Mark Ciszenski anchored a great defensive unit Coach Martin stated " An excellent season...this was one of the most coachable and dedicated freshman teams. Due to their hard work and willingness to improve, they achieved an undefeated season. With continued hard work this tem has a lot of potential.

• Coach Rick Chapman's West Genesee Middle School team consisting of 33 7th and 8th grade players enjoyed a fine sesaon finishing 12-1. Chapman stated; It was great watching the team develop throughout the season including many7th graders who stepped up and took on leadership roles as well. It was very nice working with such a fine group of young men everyday during the season."

• Coach Eric Howes' Camillus Middle School team continued to improve throughout the season. Says Howes, of his 32 Wildcats..." This CMS team captained by Chris Schmidt, JD Hovater and Jaren Woeppel finished with 12 wins and 1 loss. The team looks forward to combining with WGMS at the high school next year." Special kudos go to Chris Schmidt and JD Hovater who were awarded the Billy Wademan Coaches Award.

Where Are They Now?

• Ever wonder what happened to a former team mate or where a former Wildcat eventually ended up after graduation? Check here for former players that are continuing their educations and have made their way to the playing fields of various colleges.

If you know of a former Wildcat presently playing in college not listed here or would like to be included in future "Where Are They Now?" updates, please e-mail the laxmaster

• 'Cats in College

Looking for a Breitling replica Swiss watch, here are reviews of the top three choices.

''99 Corey Miceli - Washington College
'99 Mike Borsz - Hobart
'99 Kevin Burns - Loyola
'99 Greg Conklin - Navy
'99 Brian Joy - Hobart
'99 Ryan Spillett - Lemoyne
'99 Andy Renshaw - Broome
'99 Kevin McElwee - Vermont
'99 Ryan McCarthy - Clarkson
'99 Bryan Deegan - Colgate
'99 Joe Pensabene - Ihaca
'99 Dave Griffin - RIT
'99 Dave Cost - Hamilton
'99 Chris Sauro - Hartford
'00 Rory McCarthy - Faifield
'00 Steve Brundage - Loyola
'00 Matt Prior - Mount St.Mary's
'00 Steve Lykudis - Syracuse
'00 Kevin Fischmann - Utica
'00 Mike Begley - Navy
'00 Bernie Cannon - Loyola
'00 Doug Needham – Cornell
’00 Dylan Macro - Alfred
'01 Mark DeGroat - Towson
'01 Pat Rielly - Navy
'01 Dave Powers - Delaware
'01 Mike Baraco - Washington & Lee
'01 Brad Ciszewski - Clarkson
'01 Adam Cost - Springfield
'01 Eric Roberts - LeMoyne
'01 Brian Murphy - Clarkson
'02 Devin Burgoon - Ithaca
'02 PJ Burns- St John Fisher
'02 Chad Clark - Sacred Heart
'02 Mark Conklin - Hobart
'02 Mike Conklin- Hobart
'02 Alex Cost - Cazenovia
'02 Rob Lemos - Georgetown
'02 Dean Mancini - Massachusetts
'02 Jim Mullaley - Mercyhurst
'02 Zack Forward - Cornell
'02 Matt O'Connell – Cortland
'02 Jake Bebee – Hobart
'02 Matt Woolshlager- Herkimer
'02 Andy Zysk- Ithaca


Past 'Cats

• Wglax.com will feature monthly bios of former Wildcat players that have long since hung up their gloves and put away the stick an active player (or maybe not).

If you know of a former Wildcat you would like to see here or would like to be included in future "Where Are They Now?" updates yourself, please send e-mail to laxmaster

Click here to view the Past 'Cats archive containing more featured former Genny players!

This months Past 'Cat is.......

•••• Seamus Grooms/ Midfield / Class of 1994

Most memorable Wildcat lacrosse moment(s)
Beating Ward Melville 5-2 in the 1994 State Championship game.

Anytime Billy Alexander was around!

Shaving Coach Messere's head (I think we started this tradition, I could be wrong)

Watching 4-5 members of the 2002 Wildcats that I coached at Shove 8 years ago beat NorthPort at Hofstra

After graduation I....
Played Midfield at Princeton 1995-1998

Most memorable college lacrosse moment(s)
Won National Championship '96,'97,'98

Tight playoff games with 'Cuse in the Final Four, Lost to 'Cuse in the Dome freshman year in the Quarterfinals

Fall tournament game against the 1998 USA World Team (we almost beat 'em),

Watching MTV spring break episodes while writing my darn thesis in Holiday Inn hotel rooms far from sunshine (STILL haven't ever had a Spring Break).

Where am I now?
I Live in New York City just off Union Square and work for Wachovia Securities in Institutional Sales

Still try to play lacrosse for the New York Athletic Club

No family yet (except for the crazy parents who've forgotten all their children have left WG and still go to all the games!)
Click here to view the Past 'Cats archive

• go to Cat Scratches Archive
• go to Cat Scratches page 2
WGlax.com Home of West Genesee Wildcat Lacrosse Sitemap