July 8, 2008
by Steven Russolillo, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
Adam Ghitelman describes himself as an average, regular college kid. The University of Virginia rising sophomore said he enjoys playing video games such as Guitar Hero and Halo 3, earned decent grades during the fall semester and spends much of his time partying with friends.
But when it comes to lacrosse, there is nothing average about Ghitelman's game.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound standout goalie practically rewrote the record books at Cold Spring Harbor High School in Syosset, N.Y. He was a starting goalie for Virginia until yielding to fifth-year senior Bud Petit midway through the 2008 season, and he's representing the United States in the 2008 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) Under-19 World Championship.
In high school, Ghitelman was a three-time US Lacrosse high school All-American and two-time Nassau County Player of the Year. He set school records with 780 career saves and 60 career victories. As a junior, he led the Seahawks to their first-ever state championship.
His consistency at Cold Spring Harbor carried over to his performance at the U.S. U-19 team tryouts last summer at UMBC, where 23 players emerged from a field of 120 of the nation's top players.
"Over the course of the tryout, he was just very, very consistent," said Team USA head coach Chuck Apel. "That's certainly what you want when you go to a tournament like this. We're going to play a lot of games in a short amount of time, and you're going to especially want your goalies to be consistent."
Virginia head coach Dom Starsia said Ghitelman's ability to direct the defense with his communication skills and initiate the transition game made him stand out among other goalies during the recruiting process.
"His stick work is excellent, and his ability to pass the ball and recognize the guys that are open is unique for somebody his age," Starsia said. "I distinctly remember thinking, `Man, we can really take advantage of that in our system.'"
Ghitelman developed his passing skills and field awareness at a young age under the guidance of Long Island Lizards head coach Jim Mule, who gave Ghitelman intensive goalie lessons for three years when Ghitelman was a middle-school student. Mule said the two would spend hours improving Ghitelman's passing and stick-handling skills, a rarity for an athlete in middle school.
"Most goalies at that age just want to practice getting shot on," Mule said. "He's just an extremely hard worker, very dedicated and has always focused on being the best."
In addition to Ghitelman's passing ability, he developed an aggressive reputation of frequently coming out of the cage and taking the ball down the field. He even scored two goals during his junior season, including one in the 2006 state championship victory.
While the offensive-minded style was successful in high school, Ghitelman said he learned the hard way that college lacrosse is much different than high school ball.
"In the first week of practice I tried to take the ball out of net, but I got demolished," he said. "I don't even bother to try and run up the field anymore."
Ghitelman battled for the starting goalie position at Virginia with Petit and sophomore Mark Wade. Petit played on the 2003 U.S. U-19 team during the summer before his freshman year. However, he suffered an ankle injury during the tournament and decided to redshirt the 2004 season.
Petit said it is an extremely gratifying feeling to be able to represent America in a lacrosse tournament. In addition, he told Ghitelman to be prepared for all the free merchandise he's going to receive.
"It felt like Christmas," Petit said. "I told him to get to know the guys on the other teams so he can trade free stuff with them. It's cool; I still have my England lacrosse vest."
Both student-athletes said the competition for the starting position did not affect their friendship. Petit made 17 saves in Virginia's NCAA semifinal loss to Syracuse.
"He's kind of taken me under his wing," Ghitelman said.
Petit admitted the relationship between the two is not as bad as he thought it would be, adding he enjoys giving advice to the up-and-coming goalie.
When Ghitelman won the starting position, he had the daunting role of leading the team as a freshman -- a task that may scare many youngsters, but doesn't seem to faze him.
"I'm kind of a little leery of stepping up when I haven't even earned my stripes yet," Ghitelman said. "But once I step on the field, I have to be a leader. Being a freshman is not going to stop me from leading the team to the best of my ability."
Starsia added Ghitelman possessed the perfect blend of "humility and confidence," and expected his team to respond well to Ghitelman, even if he was just a freshman.
"My team responds to him when he's in the goal," Starsia said. "People like playing in front of him. He's one of those kids that expects to succeed from the first day he steps foot onto the field."
Apel picked up on Ghitelman's character, as well.
"Adam's very composed and confident in the way he's playing. Some goalies dive around and roll around a lot, but he's just very solid in what he's doing and plays very confidently," Apel said.
Mule is already dreaming about Ghitelman's possible future in the MLL.
"He's the best goalie I have ever worked with," Mule said. "Who knows, I could one day be drafting him for the Lizards. If that day comes true, it would be awesome, a great thrill."
July 8, 2008
This article appeared in the March 2008 edition of Lacrosse Magazine, a US Lacrosse publication available exclusively to its members. Join today to start your monthly subscription to LM.
by Steven Russolillo, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
Adam Ghitelman describes himself as an average, regular college kid. The University of Virginia rising sophomore said he enjoys playing video games such as Guitar Hero and Halo 3, earned decent grades during the fall semester and spends much of his time partying with friends.
But when it comes to lacrosse, there is nothing average about Ghitelman's game.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound standout goalie practically rewrote the record books at Cold Spring Harbor High School in Syosset, N.Y. He was a starting goalie for Virginia until yielding to fifth-year senior Bud Petit midway through the 2008 season, and he's representing the United States in the 2008 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) Under-19 World Championship.
In high school, Ghitelman was a three-time US Lacrosse high school All-American and two-time Nassau County Player of the Year. He set school records with 780 career saves and 60 career victories. As a junior, he led the Seahawks to their first-ever state championship.
His consistency at Cold Spring Harbor carried over to his performance at the U.S. U-19 team tryouts last summer at UMBC, where 23 players emerged from a field of 120 of the nation's top players.
"Over the course of the tryout, he was just very, very consistent," said Team USA head coach Chuck Apel. "That's certainly what you want when you go to a tournament like this. We're going to play a lot of games in a short amount of time, and you're going to especially want your goalies to be consistent."
Virginia head coach Dom Starsia said Ghitelman's ability to direct the defense with his communication skills and initiate the transition game made him stand out among other goalies during the recruiting process.
"His stick work is excellent, and his ability to pass the ball and recognize the guys that are open is unique for somebody his age," Starsia said. "I distinctly remember thinking, `Man, we can really take advantage of that in our system.'"
Ghitelman developed his passing skills and field awareness at a young age under the guidance of Long Island Lizards head coach Jim Mule, who gave Ghitelman intensive goalie lessons for three years when Ghitelman was a middle-school student. Mule said the two would spend hours improving Ghitelman's passing and stick-handling skills, a rarity for an athlete in middle school.
"Most goalies at that age just want to practice getting shot on," Mule said. "He's just an extremely hard worker, very dedicated and has always focused on being the best."
In addition to Ghitelman's passing ability, he developed an aggressive reputation of frequently coming out of the cage and taking the ball down the field. He even scored two goals during his junior season, including one in the 2006 state championship victory.
While the offensive-minded style was successful in high school, Ghitelman said he learned the hard way that college lacrosse is much different than high school ball.
"In the first week of practice I tried to take the ball out of net, but I got demolished," he said. "I don't even bother to try and run up the field anymore."
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"He's the best goalie I have ever worked with. Who knows? I could one day be drafting him for the Lizards. If that day comes true, it would be awesome, a great thrill."
Long Island Lizards coach Jim Mule, on protege Adam Ghitelman
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Petit said it is an extremely gratifying feeling to be able to represent America in a lacrosse tournament. In addition, he told Ghitelman to be prepared for all the free merchandise he's going to receive.
"It felt like Christmas," Petit said. "I told him to get to know the guys on the other teams so he can trade free stuff with them. It's cool; I still have my England lacrosse vest."
Both student-athletes said the competition for the starting position did not affect their friendship. Petit made 17 saves in Virginia's NCAA semifinal loss to Syracuse.
"He's kind of taken me under his wing," Ghitelman said.
Petit admitted the relationship between the two is not as bad as he thought it would be, adding he enjoys giving advice to the up-and-coming goalie.
When Ghitelman won the starting position, he had the daunting role of leading the team as a freshman -- a task that may scare many youngsters, but doesn't seem to faze him.
"I'm kind of a little leery of stepping up when I haven't even earned my stripes yet," Ghitelman said. "But once I step on the field, I have to be a leader. Being a freshman is not going to stop me from leading the team to the best of my ability."
Starsia added Ghitelman possessed the perfect blend of "humility and confidence," and expected his team to respond well to Ghitelman, even if he was just a freshman.
"My team responds to him when he's in the goal," Starsia said. "People like playing in front of him. He's one of those kids that expects to succeed from the first day he steps foot onto the field."
Apel picked up on Ghitelman's character, as well.
"Adam's very composed and confident in the way he's playing. Some goalies dive around and roll around a lot, but he's just very solid in what he's doing and plays very confidently," Apel said.
Mule is already dreaming about Ghitelman's possible future in the MLL.
"He's the best goalie I have ever worked with," Mule said. "Who knows, I could one day be drafting him for the Lizards. If that day comes true, it would be awesome, a great thrill."
