This Blog will provide information, updates and video for REID LEVEILLEE #22, Defenseman and Long Stick Midfielder for Longmeadow High School and
Team Central Elite Super Jr. Red.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Two Longmeadow teammates highlight class of five Western Mass All-American selections

By Jack Flagler | jflagler@masslive.com
on May 29, 2014 7:08 p.m.



The Western Mass. Coaches Association selected five All-American players from the region, including Westfield junior goalie Jake Cupak and Mount Greylock junior midfielder Michael McCormackaccording to Bruce Lerch from BostonLax.net. 
The other three selections are Longmeadow senior Reid Leveillee, a repeat choice, his teammate, senior midfielder Drew Kelleher and South Hadley senior midfielder T.J. Fitzell.


Leveillee, a two-time All-American, is one of the senior leaders of a Longmeadow defensive unit that rarely allow attackmen much room to find shooting space on keeper Matt Draymore's net. Longmeadow has allowed fewer than four goals per game this year while they put together a 20-1 record. Leveillee plans to play lacrosse next year at Connecticut College.




LINK TO FULL STORY:
http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/4013084700291188233/two-juniors-two-longmadow-teammtes-highlight-class-of-five-western-mass-all-american-selections/

Friday, May 30, 2014

REID LEVEILLEE, ALL AMERICAN SELECTION 2014

Western Mass. All-Americans Announced

05/29/2014, 1:45pm EDT
By Bruce Lerch
BostonLax.Net

The Western Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches have announced their All-American selections for the 2014 season. Special thanks to Minnechaug coach Russ Mooney for providing the list. Each player selected as an All-American from the ISL and MIAA East, Central and West regions will receive an automatic invitation to the Second Annual BostonLax All-American Game, to be held on June 16th at Boston University's Nickerson Field at 7 p.m. Western Mass. All-Americans Drew Kelleher, Longmeadow, Midfield/Attack, Sr. Reid Leveillee, Longmeadow, Defense/LSM, Sr. T.J. Fitzell, South Hadley, Midfield, Sr. Jake Cupak, Westfield, Goalie, Jr. Michael McCormack, Mt. Greylock, Attack, Jr.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Defense, Consistency Keys for No. 2 'Meadow Lax - Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston.Com

LONGMEADOW, Mass. -- It didn’t take long for first-year Longmeadow boys’ lacrosse head coach Ryan Liebel to figure out the kind of talent he had for the 2013 season.

“When I was at tryouts, I just said to myself, ‘This is awesome.’”

For the then-25-year-old coach, an alumnus, himself, of Longmeadow and a standout at UMass-Amherst, his return home was truly an ideal situation. After a season as the head of Belchertown lacrosse, Liebel returned to his roots, taking over the Lancers program last season.
The bar was set extraordinarily high for both coach and team in that first season, as the Lancers capped an undefeated season as Division 2 state champions. With that, Liebel was named Coach of the Year by ESPN Boston.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, however.

With little surprise, the No. 2-ranked Lancers (?) have started the season unbeaten yet again, improving to 4-0 with a 9-5 win over No. 8 BC High. Yet, after the Saturday matinee at home, Liebel was still ruminating over the things that aren’t quite right with the Lancers early on.

“We had some very big role players from last year who’ve graduated,” Liebel said, “so we’re still kind of finding out where everybody fits the best.”

Namely, the Lancers lost an All-American level midfielder in Keegan Dudeck, who scored more than a few timely, important goals in their state championship run last year.

But, for the most part, Longmeadow’s core returns in tact this season, starting at the faceoff “X” with one of the state’s best draw men in Drew Kelleher.

“The faceoff and transition game is absolutely huge in terms of setting the tone for the game,” Liebel said. “So when you have the chance to have a faceoff guy like Drew Kelleher, it’s absolutely unreal to have, especially at a time like now, when our offense is struggling with things like time of possession.”

Watching Longmeadow any time during the last season-plus, it becomes immediately evident that the Lancers thrive on defense and the transition game. Hardly a motion is wasted, moving the ball from the defensive half of the field and through the midfield. It’s what Liebel has prided the program on, and it comes with the continual repetitive motion of practice drills.

“It really comes down to working hard in practice – lots of long practices,” senior goaltender Matt Draymore said. “Then, when we come to the games, we just have to play all four quarters.”

Adding on how the Lancers have taken on the visage of their head coach, Draymore said, “I think we all have really good relationships with him, but he’s really hard on us. He really pushes us to get better. It’s a really good combination.”

In front of Draymore, the Lancers return a deep core of veteran defensemen. Senior captain Reid Leveillee returns as a preseason All-State selection, while junior Daniel Cotnoir and senior long-stick midfielder Jack Ryan provide additional proven experience on the starting defense.

“They’re just absolutely the best role models you could hope for,” Liebel said. “Three of our five captains are defensive players and they’re what’s keeping us together right now. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think we’d be where we are right now.”

The Lancers’ attack is still rounding into shape in the early going, with returning senior attack Zach Lukas sidelined due to injury. In his absence, that’s given a few of Longmeadow’s younger options a chance to work their way into the rotation, including the younger siblings of a few of the Lancers’ aforementioned tone-setters. Sophomore Will Lukas and freshman Cam Kelleher has seen significant playing time alongside returners, such as senior midfielder Max Chipouras.

While the offense tries to find its foothold, the Lancers will rely on what has their winning streak at 29 games and counting – a commitment to defense, having surrendered less than three goals a game on average.

That, and a commitment to never becoming complacent.

“Right now, we’re just fighting to make the playoffs with everybody else,” Drew Kelleher said. “Coach pushes us really hard, he really knows how to get the best out of us. He leads a high-intensity practice every day and we know that makes us better.”

Friday, April 18, 2014

Longmeadow boys lacrosse ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts in LaxPower.com rankings

The Longmeadow boys lacrosse team is off to a 6-0 start and has an early-season marquee win on its resume after a 9-5 victory over Boston College High School last weekend.
The defending state champions are ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts in the latest edition of LaxPower’s state rankings, tied with undefeated Needham.
The site’s computer ratings are based on won-loss record and margin of victory with a 10-goal limit. Bonus points are awarded for league, division and state championships. For the full rankings, as well as an explanation of the power ratings system, visit LaxPower.com. Check out the Western Mass. top 10 rankings here.
LaxPower.com Top 20 Rankings
  1. Longmeadow (6-0)
  2. Needham (6-0)
  3. Lincoln-Sudbury (6-1)
  4. Duxbury (5-1)


    LINK TO MASS LIVE: http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/7619495508369192857/longmeadow-boys-lacrosse-ranked-no-1-in-massachusetts-in-laxpowercom-rankings/?fb_action_ids=579154299346&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like#incart_river_default

    Thursday, April 17, 2014

    From MASSLIVE.COM on April 16, 2014

    Boys lacrosse top 10 rankings: Riding a 30-game win streak, Longmeadow earns No. 1 ranking.
    1. Longmeadow (5-0): No surprise at the top. The defending state champions have run their winning streak to 30 games, rolling through their Western Mass. opponents and picking up a big win over Boston College High.

    LINK TO FULL STORY: http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/-6662693254959345016/boys-lacrosse-top-10-rankings-riding-a-30-game-win-streak-longmeadow-earns-no-1-ranking/

    Tuesday, April 8, 2014

    LANCER LAX '14 Tops S. Hadley H.S. 16-1 in Home Opener.

    FROM MASSLIVE.COM

    ...Meanwhile, the Longmeadow defense led by senior Reid Leveillee, junior Nick Crews and junior Dan Cotnoir swallowed up the Tigers attack, killing three man-up opportunities and creating turnovers to move the ball to the Lancers’ midfielders and attacking players.

    Leveillee, an All-American selection last year who has committed to Connecticut College, leads a defensive unit that returns every starter from last year’s group. Crews and Cotnoir, are also bound for Division I collegiate programs, after committing to Providence College and Bryant University.
    Collectively, the size, experience and strength of the Lancer defense made opportunities hard to come by for South Hadley Monday.

    “We only let up one shot on goal first half, I consider that pretty good, but there are always little things we can work on like talking to each other, making sure the middies know what’s going on at all times – and getting our goalie involved, telling him where guys are going,” Leveillee said.

    LINK TO FULL STORY:  http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/7649724780027320815/longmeadow-boys-lacrosse-impresses-in-16-1-victory-over-south-hadley-despite-injury-to-zach-lukas/

    LANCER LAX '14 Fast Break vs S. Hadley H.S.

    Monday, April 7, 2014

    SUPER 7 SELECTIONS 2014 MASSLIVE.COM

    Boys Lacrosse Super 7: Longmeadow gets three nods after undefeated state championship season

    The 2014 boys lacrosse Super 7 features three players from state champion Longmeadow and two from Western Mass. runner-up South Hadley. It’s tough to figure out how a team is supposed to improve upon an undefeated state championship season, but if such an achievement is possible, Longmeadow might be the team to do it. The Lancers return most of their key players from the 25-0 team that defeated Medfield in the Div. II state championship, including three players on MassLive’s Super 7.

    REID LEVEILLEE, LONGMEADOW, SENIOR, DEFENSE
    Leveillee was one of four Western Mass. players to earn a U.S. Lacrosse All-American selection last year, and the only returner to earn the distinction. The two-time first team All-Scholastic selection was vital to the undefeated season for the Lancers, drawing the assignment of the opponent’s best attack player most games.

    LINK TO FULL STORY: http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/8473686427348770665/longmeadow-boys-lacrosse-earns-three-super-7-nods-after-undefeated-state-championship-season/?fb_action_ids=10203819048144594&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B670803509640079%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%22s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like%22%5D#/3

    Tuesday, July 30, 2013

    Division 2 Central/West All-BostonLax Team

    Player of the Year

    Keegan Dudeck, Longmeadow Sr. - Although he was only 4th on the Lancers in scoring with 38 goals and 55 points, Dudeck was at his best in the biggest games, scoring 5 goals in the state championship.  He will play at WNEC next year.

    Attack

    Hunter Burdick, St. John's Shrewsbury Sr. - Burdick scored 34 goals and 72 points this past season.  He will play at Nazareth College next spring.
    Evan Marcus, South Hadley Sr. - Had 49 goals and 106 points while leading South Hadley to the WMass title game.  He will also play at WNEC next year.
    Tyler Reilly, Grafton Sr. - Reilly scored 66 goals and 116 points for the Indians, and totaled 495 in his career at Grafton.  He will play at Keene State next fall.
    (At-Large) Drew Smiley, St. John's Shrewsbury Jr. - Smiley scored 95 points while leading SJS to the CMass title.  He is committed to the Naval Academy.

    Midfield

    Keegan Dudeck, Longmeadow Sr.
    Kieran Presley, Amherst Sr. - Also a star on the football field with his athletic ability, Presley will take a PG year at Loomis Chaffee.
    Bryan Rotatori, Grafton Sr. - Rotatori scored 32 goals and 74 points for the Indians despite being locked off in nearly every game.  He also took facoffs and led the team in ground balls.  He will play with teammate Reilly at Keene State.
    (Face-off) Drew Kelleher, Longmeadow Jr. - Kelleher was not only dominant at the face-off X, but also added 38 goals and 59 points for Longmeadow.  He is currently uncommitted.
    (2-way mid) Matt Lacroix, Westfield Sr. - A two-time All-American, Lacroix did it all for the Bombers, contributing 32 goals and 54 points, playing defense and taking faceoffs.  He will play at Springfield College.

    Defense/Goalie

    Aidan Fox, St. John's Shrewsbury Sr. - Fox led the Pioneer defense to its first CMass championship in 3 years.

    Reid Leveillee, Longmeadow Jr. - A great cover defenseman, Leveillee usually covered the opposition's best attackman on his way to being named All-American.  He is currently uncommitted.

    Brennan Pierce, Algonquin Sr. - Pierce is a large, physical presence at close defense who also showed great footwork this season.  He will play at Washington College next spring.
    (LSM) Mike Halloran, Algonquin Sr. - Halloran stepped in following Tim Hanlon to give Algonquin two straight 1st-team LSM's.
    (Goalie) Giles Ober, Algonquin Sr. - An All-American, Ober was stellar again all year for the T'Hawks.  He will play at Babson next spring.

    Coach of the Year

    Ryan Liebel, Longmeadow - In his first year at Longmeadow, Coach Liebel led the Lancers to an undefeated season and their first state championship since 2008.  And with only 3 senior contributors, the future is bright.

    LINK TO STORY : http://www.bostonlax.net/news_article/show/271621?referrer_id=455086-news

    Monday, July 29, 2013

    From The Longmeadow News

    Leveillee’s determination to keep the offense from the net is well-documented. Smiling, he described his defense strategy pretty simply: “I try to make sure my guy scores zero goals.” 
    However, he gave voice to something both stated numerous times—that they were part of a larger group, in their eyes, of equal talent. “But I also want to make sure everyone else’s guy scores zero goals."
     

    Full Story at :

    http://www.thelongmeadownews.com/goal-oriented/

    Tuesday, July 2, 2013

    ESPN Boston Boys' Lacrosse All-State team

    Honorable Mention
    Dom Abate, Sr. M, Beverly
    Tommy Bannan, Sr. G, Hingham
    Kevin Bletzer, Jr. M, Catholic Memorial
    Rogers Boylan, Sr. D, Dover-Sherborn
    Evan Boynton, Sr. D, Concord-Carlisle
    Mike Carbone, Sr. A, Marshfield
    Tucker Ciessau, Sr. A, Scituate
    Matt Comerford, Sr. G, Reading
    Pat Cronin, Jr. A, BC High
    Matt Crowell, Jr. M, Medfield
    Mark Dente, Sr. A, Reading
    Kevin Farrell, Sr. FOGO, Billerica
    Chris Frye, Sr. A, Walpole
    Andrew Gallahue, Jr. A, St. John's Prep
    Henry Guild, Sr. M, Lincoln-Sudbury
    Carson Hart, Sr. M, Wayland
    Keifer Heckman, Sr. A, Peabody
    Eamon Hunter, Soph. LSM, Lincoln-Sudbury
    Joe Igoe, Sr. M, Framingham
    Reid Leveillee, Jr. D, Longmeadow
    Giles Ober, Sr. G, Algonquin
    Kieran Presley, Sr. M, Amherst
    Brian Rotatori, Sr. M, Grafton
    Drew Smiley, Jr. A, St. John's (Shrewsbury)
    D.J. Smith, Sr. G, Billerica
    Robert Treiber, Jr. G, Medfield
    Luc Valenza, Sr. D, Foxborough
    Tyler Weeks, Sr. D, Andover
    Sam Wheaton, Sr. G, Minnechaug

    Coach of the Year -- Ryan Liebel, Longmeadow

    LINK TO FULL STORY :http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/25121/espn-boston-boys-lacrosse-all-state-team-2

    Leveillee, Gurzenski receive All-American Honors, Liebel named Coach of the Year



    US Lacrosse recently announced their annual award recipients from Western Massachusetts. High school varsity lacrosse coaches from across the region gather at the end of the regular season to vote on these awards.

    Reid Leveillee named “All-American”. The junior defenseman was one of only four players to receive this honor from Western Massachusetts and is the only junior in the group. Reid had an outstanding year as a close defender, anchoring one of the best defenses in the state. Reid is the 39th player from Longmeadow High School to receive this honor since the program started in 1970.

    Noah Gurzenski named “Academic All-American”. The senior goalie was one of only two players selected this year to receive this honor from Western Massachusetts. Players are chosen for their outstanding performance in the classroom, as well as their contributions on the athletic field. Noah has always been a leader in both. His efforts in cage during the Western Mass semi-finals vs. Amherst, was one of the finest performances ever by a Longmeadow goalie. Ryan Liebel named “Coach of the Year”. It was the obvious choice that first year Longmeadow Coach Ryan Liebel receive the “Coach of the Year” award after he led the Lancers to a perfect 25-0 season and the programs 19th State Championship in boys lacrosse. He set high goals for the team and demanded much from his players. His ability to teach, motivate and inspire these young men lead to them exceeding everyone’s expectations. Congratulations to all !!!

    Friday, June 28, 2013

    Final Nike/US Lacrosse National High School Boys' Top 25 Poll Ranks LONGMEADOW #25 !!

    LINK TO FULL STORY: http://www.laxmagazine.com/high_school/boys/2012-13/nike_us_lacrosse_national_high_school_boys_top_25