2009 TEAM HILLS BOYS
COACHING STAFF
U-17
Nils Haugen
Gordon Hodgson
George Fox
U-15
Mike Conway
Brian Harris
Eric Geringswald
U-13
Anthony Cascio
Tom Neary
Tom Maloney
U-11
Frank Marino
Charles Rogener
James Mule’
U-17
Nils Haugen
(Albany, ‘95) is entering his 6th season as
the Head Varsity lacrosse coach for Hills West. Coach Haugen got
his coaching start in the Sachem School District and was the
Asst. Varsity lacrosse coach at Hills West prior to taking over
the program in 2005. He has led the Colts into the playoffs in
each of his 5 seasons as the Head Coach and the Colts have been
Suffolk County Division II Champions in 4 of those 5 years. He
has coached 4 High School All-Americans (Austin Walker, ’05,
Daniel DiMaria, ’08, John Conneely. ’08, and David DiMaria, ‘09
), an Honorable-Mention All-American (Pete DiDominicis, ’04) and
an Academic All-American (Eric Cohen, ’06). He has helped to
place many Hills lacrosse players in some of the finest academic
institutions and lacrosse schools in the country including
Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, ,Johns Hopkins, Lehigh,
Siena, Geneseo, RWU, Dowling, UMass,(Ryan Smith, class of ’06,
Senior Captain) and West Point, (Tewaaraton Trophy Finalist and
two-time first team All-American at Army, John Walker).
Gordon Hodgson
(Cortland State)
Coach Hodgson is hoping to return for the 2011 Lacrosse season.
(He has been on leave from 2006-2010 to watch his sons play at
West Islip High School). In 1999 his first year at Hills East
the team finished 5 and 10. Second year the team finished 7 and
9. Third year the team finished with 13 wins and 5 loses,
qualifying for the play-offs. 2001 also set the mark for Coach
Hodgson winning over 200 games in his Lacrosse coaching career.
In 2002 Hills East finished with a 14-4 record and an appearance
in the final 4 of the Suffolk County B championship, eventually
losing to state champion Comsewogue. In 2003 Hills East finished
with a 12 and 5 record and a “Big 6 Championship” which
qualified East for the play-offs for a third year in a row.
Hills East season ended with an overtime loss to Rocky Point in
the first round of the play-offs. Hills East also made the
play-offs in 2004 and 2005, finishing with “Big 6” honors both
years.
Coach Hodgson comes to High School East from High School West.
He took over the Lacrosse program at Hills West in 1993. That
same year the "Colts" qualified for the play-offs and won the
Class B Suffolk County Championship, the second one in the
school's history, and a trip to the Long Island Championship
game against Nassau power Garden City. Hills West Lacrosse
Teams appeared in the play-offs every year, winning a Division
Championship in 1994, Big Three Championship in 93-95 and
semi-final play-off appearances in 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998.
Coach Hodgson's overall record at Hills West was 78 wins 28
losses and 1 tie, a .728 win percentage. Mr. Hodgson was
honored by the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association as
the 1994 "Coach of the Year". He has been teaching and coaching
for the past 30 years. From 1982-92 he coached at Bethpage High
School. Three of those years were as an assistant to the
legendary Dean of Lacrosse Mr. Fran McCall. During his 8 year
stint as Head Coach Bethpage compiled a 100-38 record, 2 League
championships, 2 league Coach of the Year honors, 8 play-off
appearances, and 5 final four appearances in Nassau County.
Bethpage finished first or second in league play 7 out of 8
years. Coach Hodgson has been involved in the Empire State
Lacrosse selection process since its inception and coached the
Silver medal team in 1994. He has coached numerous all-star
games and has worked various Summer Lacrosse camps. A native of
West Islip, he graduated in 1972 from West Islip High School
where he played Football and helped, as a captain and
Defenseman, to lead West Islip to a League Championship in
Lacrosse. In 1976 he graduated from Cortland State where he
played Lacrosse for two years. In 1979 he earned a Masters
degree in Educational Administration from the University of
South Dakota. In addition to coaching Lacrosse , Coach Hodgson
was an assistant Football coach at West Islip from 1981-1994,
retiring in 1994 and a Basketball Coach at various schools.
Mr. Hodgson is currently teaching AP Economics and AP American
History at Hills East. His wife Janice, teacher of math at
Locust Valley High School, and children: Danielle 21, Edward 20,
Andrew 18 and Lorraine 16 also enjoy athletics. Mr. Hodgson
served 9 years on the West Islip School Board. He was also
Treasurer of the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association and
a Associate Director of the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse
Foundation. He looks forward to the challenges of coaching at
East and having more successful seasons!
George Fox
U-15
Mike Conway
(Bucknell)
is
the current varsity lacrosse coach and a teacher at Hills East.
He began coaching at Hills in 1992. Michael was a three sport
athlete while earning the “All Around Athlete Award” at Bethpage
High School. After leaving Bethpage, he became a four year
starter and team captain at Bucknell University. As a long
stick midfielder, he was a two time All Patriot League
Midfielder and the “Patriot League Player of the Year” in 1992.
After college, Conway continued playing club lacrosse, earning
All-club honors multiple times. He was invited to try out for
Team USA in 1998. He has since served as captain for Team
Ireland in two world games in Perth, Australia 2002 and London,
Ontario 2006. Michael was also a Nassau County Lacrosse
Official for five years. Thanks to the support of his wife
Maureen and daughter Erin, he continues to play competitive
lacrosse.
Brain Harris (Brockport)
Is a graduate from Hills East in 2002 where he played
midfield. Coach Harris played four years at SUNY Brockport where
he was a team captain and a recipient of the coach's
award. Coach Harris has also bee coaching the JV at Hills East
since 2008 with outstanding results.
Eric Geringswald
(Washington College)
is a graduate of
Hills West and has been coaching young lacrosse players since
his graduation from Washington College in 1985. Eric was an all
conference player at Hills West. Eric was a junior college All
American at SUNY Farmingdale and was selected to the all
tournament team at the Junior College National Championship
Tournament in 1983. Geringswald went on to Washington College
where he was a two year starter and team captain on a national
champion runner up in 1984 & 1985. After college Geringswald
played at the highest club lacrosse division for 8 years.
U-13
Anthony Cascio
(Dowling
College)
Graduated Bay
Shore High School as a three year varsity starter and was a 4
year starter at Dowling College. Anthony was a 2 time captain at
Dowling College and won the Presidential award winner as the
most outstanding male student-athlete at Dowling College (1995).
Anthony was the President of the senior class of Dowling College
(1995) and earned his BA 1995 and MS in 2000. In 1996 Anthony
created the lacrosse program at LaSalle Military Academy.
Anthony was an Asst Coach at Dowling College where he was the
Defensive Coordinator from 1997-1998 for a team that was ranked
as high as 2nd in the country and possessed the
number 1 rated defense in the country. In 1999 Anthony began his
coaching tenure at HHH West where he led the program for 5 years
and assisted for 5 more. Anthony coached 4 All-Americans during
his tenure and many players he coached have moved on the some of
the best colleges and universities in the country. Anthony was
featured in Lacrosse Magazine (Bridge Issue) for
recognition of introducing the sport of lacrosse to minorities
at the high school level. Anthony has been a head coach for our
Team Hills U-15 and U-13 teams since the programs inception.
Tom Neary
(Dowling College ’96) has coached in Half Hollow Hills
since 1997. He is the current lacrosse coach at Candlewood
Middle School. Coach Neary has been successful in developing
the skills necessary for Half Hollow Hills Middle School
athletes to compete on the Varsity level. Coach Neary led the
2003 Candlewood Team to a 10-0 record.
Tom Maloney (CW
Post)
is the JV
Assistant Coach at Hills East. Tom attended St. Anthony’s High
School and won the CHSAA title there in his senior year and was
recognized as one of the top 25 high school teams of the 2000
decade. Tom attended Nassau Community College where he was a two
year starter and played in the final four of the national
championship tournament. Tom earned First Team All Region at
Nassau and moved on to CW Post where he earned an academic and
athletic scholarship. While at CW Post Tom’s teams were ranked
as high as #2 in the country. Tom was a captain and two year
starter at CW Post. Tom has coached with the Long Island
Express.
U-11
Frank Marino (Cornell ‘93) is a 1988 graduate of Ward Melville
High School and has been coaching lacrosse on the high school
and middle school levels since graduating from Cornell
University. Frank was a two-time all-county defenseman in high
school and was captain of the gold medal winning Long Island
lacrosse team at the Empire State Games in 1987. While at
Cornell, Frank was elected captain of the varsity lacrosse team
his senior year. He was a role player his first two seasons
seeing time at close defense and defensive long stick midfield.
He was a starter at close defense for his final two seasons at
Cornell. Frank was the head junior varsity lacrosse coach at
High School West from 2003 to 2006. He had a winning record in
all four seasons and was awarded the Suffolk County Division II
JV Coach of the Year his first season in 2003. He is starting
his second year as the varsity assistant lacrosse coach at High
School West
in 2010 and will be in charge of the defense.
Charles Rogener
(Sienna) is a 2005 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High
School West, is a starting midfielder for a Division I program
at Sienna College and was ranked in the top 15 in the nation for
face-off wins as a freshman.
Jim Mule’ (St.
Johns University) is the current Head Coach of the Major
League Lacrosse Long Island Lizards. Before joining the Lizards
prior to the 2005 season he spent four successful years with the
Barrage organization, two as a player and two as an assistant
coach. Selected in the second round (12th overall) of the 2001
MLL Inaugural Draft, Mulé was the Barrage’s starting goalie for
much of the 2001 and 2002 seasons. After his retirement
following the 2002 campaign the East Meadow native helped Coach
the Philadelphia Barrage to its first Major League Lacrosse
title in 2004. He since has been selected to be the Head coach
in the MLL All-Star Game twice - 2005 & 2006.
Mulé was also the starting goalie of the U.S. team that
defeated Canada two games to none to win the 1999 World Cup of
Lacrosse. He was a member of the New York Athletic Cub
for several years and was named to the All-Club team while
leading them to a Club Championship.
He also was selected to the Division 1 North/South game in
his senior year at St. John's University.
In High School at East Meadow Jim was a All-County recipient
and is a member of the schools Athletic Hall of Fame.
2009 TEAM HILLS GIRLS
COACHING STAFF
U-17
Lori Graham
U-13
Amanda Strack
Lori Graham
has
been the varsity lacrosse coach at Half Hollow Hills for the
past 9 years. Coach Graham is a graduate of Manhattan College.
She majored in Physical Education and has a minor in Adapted PE.
She earned her Masters Degree in Guidance Counseling
Lori was a 4
year starter on the Manhattan College soccer and lacrosse teams.
She was a two time player of the year in lacrosse in the MAAC
conference. Coach Graham was also nominated as an All- American
Candidate and was second in the nation for scoring. In college,
Lori scored 188 goals and averaged over 4 points a game for all
four seasons. She still holds the MAAC single season record for
draw controls and ground balls. She was an assistant soccer
coach for Manhattan College.
Lori coached for
LI Express for four years and has been with Team Hills from the
beginning. Lori will direct the program, players and coaches.
Amanda
Strack
has coached
soccer and lacrosse at John Glenn, Candlewood and West Hollow.
Coach Strack is a graduate of Cortland State. She majored in
Physical Education and is currently working on her Masters in
Liberal Arts with an advanced certificate in coaching.
The Commack
school district can thank a young Amanda Strack. She created a
petition and addressed the school board requesting that the
district add girl’s lacrosse to their athletic program. After it
was approved, the recruiting process began.
Amanda played
lacrosse all four years at Cortland, a team that won the
conference all four years. She was a captain in her senior year
and won the prestigious All Academic Award in the SUNYAC.
Ms. Strack is
currently a popular PE teacher in the HHH district and still
plays lacrosse in a post-collegiate league. Last year, Amanda
coached the Team Hills U13 group to an impressive 13-2 record in
tournament competitions.
Kerrin Fraser
grew
up in Colorado surrounded by high level athletes. Her dad won
the first gold medal in Greco Roman wrestling for the US Olympic
team and is currently the coach for the US Olympic wrestling
team, a position he has held for many years.
Kerrin led her
high school team to the state championships and was a standout
player in Colorado. Her accolades were on the field as well as
in the classroom. Ms. Fraser selected Hofstra University and was
a three year starter on defense. She majored in psychology and
won the prestigious CAA Commissioner’s Academic award two times.
Kerrin is the
current Strength Coach for Hofstra University for the following
sports: baseball, wrestling, Men’s and Women’s golf and field
hockey. Her knowledge in conditioning, passion for the game and
desire to coach will be an outstanding addition to the Team
Hills program.
Jen Bach
plays
attack for Hofstra University. This will be her second year as
captain of the team. Her goal is to lead the Pride into the
NCAA tournament. Jen graduates this May and will continue her
education in the health field. In 2006, Jen earned the CAA
Commissioner’s Academic Award. In high school, Jen was a
standout soccer player winning the Unsung Hero award and was
nominated for all-county and all division teams. In 2004, she
was listed on the US Lacrosse Women’s Academic All American
Team.
Liz Zorovich
is in
her first year at Hofstra University and is a member of the
division 1 women's lacrosse team. She grew up on Long Island and
played four years of varsity lacrosse. She also played
basketball and soccer. Massapequa High School was Nassau County
Class A Runner-ups in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2007 Elizabeth was
awarded All Conference, Coach's Player of the Year award and was
also a scholar athlete receiving an AP Scholar Award with
Honors. In 2008 Elizabeth received All Conference and an
AP Scholar Award with Honors again. She was also awarded the
Academic All American Award. Elizabeth is currently biology
major at Hofstra and hopes to pursue a medical career in the
future.
Janine Bright
was a
four year starter in both Commack High School and at Wagner
College. She was the captain of the high school team and two
time captain of the Wagner squad.
In high school,
Janine received the Unsung Hero award, All League and All County
Honorable mention.
Janine plays attack and has been starting since her freshman
year. She graduates in May 2009. She plans on attending graduate
school and will be a graduate assistant coach at a Division 1
school. Janine coached the U17 team last year and we are happy
to have her back again.
