From Kansas to California in 24 hours, The Lax All Stars Fireside Chat series continues. Pittsburgh High School fall ball photos. Shoe Game and more.

Today’s Fireside Chat is with Cal Poly’s Matt Graupmann, a sophomore attackman from San Diego. Last year, Graupman led the Mustangs with 41 goals.

412: Have you started using a 2010 stick yet? What are your thoughts on how they might change the game?

Graupmann: I have started using the 2010 STX Super Power. I like it because it is similar to my Proton Power. My boy Olivier Schmied strung it up just right, so it has excellent hold even with the wider throat. I think the biggest effect it will have on other players is the hold of their stick.

412: Cal Poly has always been a player on the national stage. Do you think 2010 is the year the Mustangs can go deeper into the tournament?

Graupmann: Coach Lea is preparing us to take a run at the title. We return a solid amount of players from last year’s squad and with some solid new rookies; we are working toward another WCLL title and advancing further into the national tournament. There are many teams playing on a high level and this year we are striving to get reach that point.

Graupmann (middle) celebrating the WCLL title with his teammates.

412: Last year you lead the team in goals, but top assist man Colin Mason was listed as a senior academically. Is he coming back this spring?

Graupmann: I am very happy to say that Colin is coming back. He is the leader of our offense and has great field sense and vision. Combined with Olivier Schmied, Andrew Haviland, and some new talent our attack is going to be a strong point of our team. After playing together for a year, our chemistry is improving every practice.

412: It doesn’t seem like WCLL teams travel or have to travel that much. Do you have any big trips this spring?

Graupmann: Playing in the WCLL is convenient because we can group games when we have road trips up to the bay area. I am very excited about this year’s schedule because we are able to host Chapman, Florida, and Florida State. During spring break, we are making a trip to play Simon Fraser and University of Washington. Raising the level of competition will help us evolve as a team and prepare us for big games.

412: What was the biggest change for you coming from San Diego to the MCLA ranks?

Graupmann: San Diego is an area that is hot with talent. Playing at a high level in high school at Poway allowed me to play against and learn from some of the best teams in the west like St. Ignatius, Cherry Creek, La Costa Canyon, San Ramon Valley, and Coronado. The MCLA is bigger and faster than high school ball. The speed of the game was the hardest thing to adapt to.

Are the Mustangs poised to take home another WCLL title?

412: What was the toughest game for you last year? Why?

Graupmann: The toughest game would have to be UCSB. They are one of our rivals and shut our offense down completely, it hurt. It was a turning point in our season and one of the games we learned a lot from.

412: What are your personal goals for 2010?

Graupmann: In 2010, I want to work on being a more complete player. My desire is for the team to succeed. Whatever I need to do to contribute to the team wining would be my personal goal. Although, I wouldn’t mind scoring a couple of goals here and there.

Good luck to Matt and the Mustangs this year.

Photos from a high school fall ball tournament in 412ville

Come on guys

My former squad receiving instruction from new head coach Mike Ermer, who left the d3 coaching ranks to take over at MTL. Our goalie just committed to Brown, nbd.

Seneca Valley, who runs this particular fall ball tournament, is known for two things.

1) Being Laxpower forum all stars producing such gems as “We’re easily the best team of ALL TIME even if we have never won a title.”

2) Serving a walking taco at all their lacrosse functions

What’s a walking taco? Imagine if Taco Bell and a lemon aid stand had a baby. And then that baby tried to start its own business selling these:

Taco meat, lettuce, cheese, salsa…in…a Frito bag

I’ve had one in my entire eating career and I proceeded to hallucinate for 45 minutes after consumption. Walking tacos were invented as a form of torture in Vietnam POW camps, according to research I made up for this post.

Just looking at that picture makes my insides nervous.

Shoe Game, a few of my favorites

the most classic Air Max 95

breast cancer awareness models

New Fall Out Boy (they’ve lost their minds)

Notes

• Are you buying your Pitt lacrosse gear?
• Flip is running his journal again. CSU beat up CU in fall bizzer action.
• CSU’s spring schedule
• Tennessee’s spring schedule
• Maverik t-shirt design contest obviously stolen from STX. No honor among thieves.
• It’s up the Yankees to ruin Philadelphia’s hopes and dreams