40 Thieves (HS JUNIOR VARSITY)
Our JV High School program is designed to help both the freshman and sophomore players who are transitioning from middle school to a high school program, as well as current HS juniors and seniors that need more focus on fundamental development and basic offensive and defensive concepts. There will continue to be a large focus on stick skills and foundational lacrosse IQ development, including off ball movement and introductory slide packages, in order to build a foundation for more advanced development at the varsity level.
By High School we expect advanced players to understand core offensive/defensive principles and have very sound stick skills. However, we will continue to drill them on a daily basis, push the girls to train/play faster and develop the ability for the stick and legs to operate independently of each other when running on the field. Odd-man and small-sided drills remain a critical part of our player training, and at this age players should be making the skip passes and mastering their ability to move off ball and find seams in the defense. Defenders will do both team and individual drills to understand and begin to master off-ball positioning, approach to the ball, dictating the path of a dodger, slide and recovery. Players will be taught more advanced team concepts and team offense and defense will remain “principle based” but those principles will become more complex.
Head Coach: Jenna Dingler
Jenna Dingler is currently in her fifth year as the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach for Manhattan College. Prior to Manhattan, Jenna served two years as Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Caldwell University.
Jenna’s collegiate career took place at Lock Haven University. As a junior, she was named an IWLCA First Team All-American selection and helped lead Lock Haven to back-to-back NCAA Division II Championship game appearances and a pair of PSAC titles.
Jenna graduated with a degree in recreation management from Lock Haven in 2016, before earning her master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in sports administration and coaching from Montclair State University.
Assistant Coach: Katie Comerford
The all-time Villanova record holder for points, goals and assists, Comerford left her mark on the Wildcat lacrosse program. Over the course of her career, she amassed 264 points, 153 goals and 111 assists. Comerford also holds three spots on the all-time season point totals, with the 2nd, 3rd and 10th most points in a single season. The same goes for assists, as she totaled the 3rd, 4th and 6th most assists in a season in program history. All five years as a Wildcat, she led Villanova in points, and finished three seasons leading the team in goals and assists as well. Her performance on and off the field was recognized year after year with multiple BIG EAST weekly awards, All-Conference nominations and numerous academic awards.
In High School Katie was a two-time Hudson Valley All-American at the illustrious Yorktown HS… She helped the Corn Huskers advance to the NYSPHSAA State Finals her senior season… Earned four varsity letters under head coach Ellen Mager. She was a Scholar Athlete and Honor Roll student who also played soccer and field hockey.
- Advanced Stick Skills Every Practice. All Drills are designed to mimic game situations and create an environment for multiple reps.
- Positional Training with an emphasis on individual development.
- Odd-numbered Situational Play with a focus on developing lacrosse IQ.
SCHEDULE
FALL 2024
ULAX GAMES
Saturdays
9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19
2-5PM
Manhattan
Robert Moses Playground
FULL TEAM PRACTICE
Sundays
9/8, 9/22, 10/16, 10/27
10am-12pm
Brooklyn
BBP / Pier 5
BROOKLYN PRACTICE
Mondays
9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4
6-8:30pm
Brooklyn
Major Owens Center
MANHATTAN PRACTICE
Thursdays
9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/10/, 10/17, 10/24, 10/30 (Wed), 11/7
6-7:30pm
Manhattan
Stephen Gaynor School
TOURNEYS
Warwick Applefest
Monday 10/14
Platinum Games
Sunday 11/10
WINTER 2024-25
BROOKLYN PRACTICE
Mondays
12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10
6-7:15pm
Brooklyn
Major Owens Center
MANHATTAN PRACTICE
Fridays
12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7
6-7:30pm
Manhattan
Stephen Gaynor School
SUNDAY SIXES
12/8, 12/15, 1/5, 1/12, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 3/2
bet 6-7pm (1hr games)
Brooklyn
Major Owens Center
SPRING 2025
Full Team Practice
Sundays
3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
Time / Location TBD
(1) Shooting Clinic
(1) Goalie Clinic
Note: players are not expected but are welcome to play in both weekday practices- Brooklyn and Manhattan!