Moeller Lacrosse at the Collegiate Level
It is no secret that Moeller lacrosse is a powerhouse program that often sends many athletes to play at the collegiate level. With a state championship in 2017 and many regional championships in recent years, Moeller has been a prime destination for athletes to play their high school careers. Today, I have two phenomenal athletes with me who were both all-state honors and All-American honorees: Joe Ginnetti and Brennen Hickey. Both are now teammates playing for Cleveland State, which is having a great year. Cleveland State is 3-5 with notable wins against Bellarmine, Wagner, and Canisius.
I asked Brennen about his favorite memory at Cleveland State so far. He said, “My favorite memory at Cleveland State was when we beat Bellarmine at home. It was our first win of the season, and it was against a team that we have grown a rivalry with over the years.” Hickey finished that game with one goal in what has been the team's best win yet this season. Brennen has picked up a starting role from the beginning and has not disappointed fans, scoring five goals and an assist in just eight games played.
I then asked how the transition has been from playing at a high-caliber high school to playing collegiately. He replied, “The transition has been pretty smooth. There is a difference in the skill level and the size of guys at the Division 1 level, but I have adjusted to it.” Over the past season, the Vikings switched conferences from the ASUN (Atlantic Sun Conference) to the NEC (Northeast Conference). Last year, the Vikings reached the semifinals of the ASUN Conference championship, marking a milestone in program history.
Lastly, I asked Brennen, “You are playing in a new conference. How far do you see the team going this year?” He replied, “Yeah, I see us going far. I think we can win the conference this year. I don’t think it will be easy by any means, but out of all the teams, we are the most experienced and put together.” The Vikings started conference play 1-0 with a big win against Wagner over the weekend.
Photo courtesy of: Cleveland State
The next spotlight is on Joe Ginnetti, who has played both football and lacrosse at the Division 1 level. Joe entered the transfer portal this summer, switching from Air Force football to pursue lacrosse at Cleveland State. I started by asking Joe how the transition was from playing football at Air Force to playing lacrosse at Cleveland State. He responded, “It is a huge difference between the time commitment of football at the academy and lacrosse at Cleveland State. Both are huge responsibilities and are full-time jobs, but the extra time that the academy demands is significant. Leaving Air Force was a huge decision, but it truly was the best decision for me, as I was chasing my dreams of playing Division 1 lacrosse. There are no wrong decisions when it comes to college in my opinion. It's all about learning more about yourself, giving any and every opportunity a shot, and how you adapt to the challenges life throws at you.”
Joe has already made an impact on the field as a defensive midfielder, with a goal, an assist, and three caused turnovers. Lastly, I asked about the atmosphere surrounding the lacrosse team and if it reminded him of his time at Moeller. He stated, “Absolutely, the atmosphere of the Cleveland State lacrosse team reminds me of my time at Moeller. The team is great and although it can be a lot more serious, in the end, it’s a bunch of guys playing the sport they love. The team becomes close through the struggles of everyday workouts and practice, the joking that takes place in the locker room, and the bonding outside of the commitment we endure. I see a lot of similarities in the environment of Moeller because of the high expectations and competitive nature of the school. The drive for success in both scenarios creates an environment of growth that I love.”
It is evident that both of these guys have a great passion for their sport. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming games and conference play later in the season.