Varsity lacrosse is alive and thriving in Rhinebeck, with help from the entirely student-run Friends of Rhinebeck Lacrosse. And they make it all look like fun.
Take the mid-May Mid Season Medley, a two-day youth lacrosse tournament for area teams from all over the Hudson Valley. Friends of Rhinebeck Lacrosse raises all the funds for the Rhinebeck High School varsity lacrosse team, through such venues.
“It all began during my freshman year, when I decided to finally get lacrosse going in our local area,” says Rhinebeck High School Junior Roan Gideon, the founder and president of Friends of Rhinebeck Lacrosse. “ For the past three years, Friends of Rhinebeck Lacrosse has raised all of the funds for the high school program, helping to grow this great game. Our semi-annual tournaments also help to promote the youth game, as 5th to 8th graders from all over the Hudson Valley participate.”
The tournament May 18 and 19 featured teams from Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Hyde Park, Goshen, Millbrook, Washingtonville, Warwick, Cornwall, and Highland. Additionally, for the first time ever, there was a girls’ division, which played Sunday.
“We’ve run our boys’ tournaments for three years now, and have been planning for a while to expand into the girls’ game,” Roan said. “It’s fantastic to see how we, as players and tournament organizers, can support the growth of our game as well as the girls’ lacrosse.”
On May 18, the boys’ teams competed in a U13 and U15 bracket, each playing four games, with the championship being played between Warwick and Millbrook in the U13 division and Goshen and Northern Dutchess in the U15. Warwick won in the U13 bracket and Goshen in the U15 bracket.
Player Ryan Olmstead of Millbrook, a third-year player, said the tournament was a good way to get a “feel for playing in high school.” Zach Ripp of Warwick added that the tournament was “really fun” and that “lacrosse means as lot to me because you play with friends and you challenge yourself plus the whole team”.
One of the most fun challenges of the Mid Season Medley is the traditional “shootout” on Rhinebeck Varsity Goalie Andrew Speers, where players take turns shooting on the high school goalie much like in a soccer penalty shootout.
On May 19, the girls’ teams fought hard through the rain, with the championship game between Highland and Warwick. A long and bitter double-overtime battle ensued, as each team struggled to score the Golden Goal one-goal victory. Ultimately, the Highland ladies pulled through, winning 7-6 in 2OT. U15 Warwick coach Tara Jordan said, “We’re so thankful for what was a great tournament. The team practiced and played hard. They showed great sportsmanship on and off the field. We’re thrilled lacrosse is getting more recognition and we are already making plans for next season. Thank you!”
Next up in July will be the Summer Sizzler, the next Friends of Rhinebeck Lacrosse youth lacrosse tournament. For more information or team registration, contact Roan Gideon at 845-242-4597.
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