WHS boys lacrosse team a success on the field and off
The Wooster High boys lacrosse team took on various community projects in the offseason including volunteering with Goodwill. “I think it is important for the kids to give back to the community that has given so many opportunities to them,” WHS head coach Reid Delaney said.
The goal for Wooster boys lacrosse coach Reid Delaney is a simple one — get his players used to responding in unfamiliar situations.
That includes both on the field and off.
Delaney’s Generals are off to a red-hot start to the season, thanks to a host of veteran players leading the way, with a 12-2 record entering a May 8 game at Avon and their regular-season finale on May 11 against Avon Lake.
But it’s the impact the program has outside the lines Delaney feels is most important.
Building team camaraderie started way before the first practice of the season or even the first on-field workout in the preseason.
Instead of straight skill work and conditioning, Delaney and his staff have used their community service projects to develop that idea of working together to accomplish a task.
Whether it’s washing dogs for the humane society, working games and helping with the setup and teardown of the Parkview Elementary, or coaching athletes in the Adaptive Sports of Ohio program, that idea of not having to accomplish a task alone has helped this group of talented players become one unit — something that should benefit them in the upcoming Region 5 playoffs and beyond.
“From a lacrosse perspective, this is a great time for the kids to bond and get to know one another,” Delaney said. “We have kids in every grade level participating in other sports and some attending the career center. These volunteering opportunities allow the kids to meet and develop relationships with their teammates and coaches that they may never see at school or in their social circles.
“By establishing these connections before the season, we are all able to get to know one another and learn more about our teammates. This in turn allows these kids to motivate and compete against one another without any issue.
“I think it is important for the kids to give back to the community that has given so many opportunities to them. Wooster is a wonderful place to live, and we want to see the success of the town continue, and if we can help, even in a small area, we should.”
Like a drill in practice that pushes his players, volunteering has helped teach the players in a variety of ways.
“These events push the kids out of their comfort zone,” Delaney said. “They will eventually enter the workforce and be in positions where they will need to effectively communicate and take care of problems on their own. These volunteering opportunities give them those experiences and will create a lasting impact on them while also doing great things for community.”
When his players are not setting up wreaths for veterans at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery or pitching in at the Kiwanis Book Sale, they’re winning games on the lacrosse field.
No team in Region 5 came into the season with as much experience as Wooster, and it has showed in the first half of the season as the Generals have won nine of their first 11 games — four of those victories coming by two goals or less.
To Delaney, the first month of the season has taught him a couple important things about this team.
“Their maturity and resilience,” he said. “When we are in these close games, our boys have been there before, and they know what they need to do. When the playoffs begin, the games are going to be close, they are going to be physical, and we have the experience to know how to handle those situations.”
One thing that sparked the team’s early-season success was a victory at Toledo St. Francis DeSales at the end of March. Trailing 11-7 with less than eight minutes in regulation, Wooster rallied with a five-goal outburst for a key regional win.
“During that win the boys realized that no matter the score, we could always come back,” Delaney said. “Getting a big comeback win over a great team helped established that first bit of real confidence and belief that we can make a deep state tournament run.”
Leading that charge has been a pair of All-Ohioans in Cooper Laughlin and Liam Harwood. Both lead the squad in offense — Laughlin tallying 37 goals and nine assists and Harwood adding 27 scores and 11 assists — but it’s been far from a two-man show.
Sophomore Drew Thomas has had a breakout season with 15 goals and 12 assists through the first 11 contests while guys like juniors Braylon Dawson and Braeden Flint have added some experience to the effort.
Ethan Shetler and Jake Haas have combined for 57 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers over the first half of the season, which, along with the play of midfielder Charlie Williams, has helped the Generals defense pull off wins over the likes of Medina (8-6), Massillon Jackson (9-8), Olmsted Falls (12-4) and previously undefeated University School (9-8).
Combine that with sophomore goalie Liam Ozar, who has a save percentage of 63%, and Logan Beery winning 80% of his faceoffs (137-of-172) and it’s no secret why the Generals have been a tear.
“It’s buy-in and chemistry,” Delaney said. “Everyone on the team wants to be here. We have 31 guys who love coming to practice each day and competing.
“The boys have put their individual stats aside and are focused on wins.”