Feedback on VLC Club Lacrosse?
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Anonymous
| Seems like a Cavs and VLC merger would make sense? Cavs already formed younger teams that could give VLC a pipeline to start. And VLC older teams have more credibility than Cavs. Similar geographic area. |
Anonymous
A VLC/Cavs merger won't happen. But now would be a great time for VLC to get back to its original principle of reasonable roster sizes. Their competitors cram too many players onto A teams, and then park even more players on their B teams, which is basically rec lacrosse at travel prices. This fall the roster-cramming is worse than ever. Unfortunately, VLC is drifting away from its own model in some grades, such as 2027, which now has a roster size in the mid 20's and continues to grow with players leaving the competitors. If only there were a program that (1) could attract elite level players and held open tryouts once per year, (2) chose one team per grade, and (3) capped the roster at 18-20, that would be a winner - VLC is in the best position to make that happen, and a merger with Cavs would be a step in the wrong direction. |
Anonymous
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A roster of 18-20 would get crushed in the summer with multiple games in a day, in the heat, plus injuries and vacations. 18-20 is good for Rec ball with 1-2 games a week but not ideal for high level club ball. VLC would never merge with Cavalier, and vice versa, as the leaders of each organization have completely different goals for for the clubs.
Pipelines are a necessity for the greedy and I would say VLC is it's on pipeline as they have kids from nearly every HS, public and private, with decent lacrosse, in the DMV (including GZ, Landon, SJC, PVI, etc.). I don't think any other club can tout this. If a quality product is available, it will attract quality consumers - which is what VLC has done for years, just takes some time for players/parents to realize it. |
Anonymous
| I thought VLC was affiliated with the Crabs? What is that relationship. I don't see how it benefits either club except for the occasional player swap for big tournaments. |
Anonymous
Benefit to crabs is money for the chief crab. Benefit to VLC is entry to certain tournaments. Though at this point, VLC likely would be fine without the affiliation. |
Anonymous
The VLC affiliation with Crabs gets them into NLF events and other high quality events. VLC makes an effort to not play in the Hogans Hershey and other events that are perfectly fine but often draw a lot of lower quality teams. At most events VLC attends they are packed with the higher quality teams (Laxachusetts, Team 91, Leading Edge, etc). At all grades VLC isn't strong enough for some of these tournaments but the NLF association gets them in. This way even on some of their teams that aren't as strong they still play against quality opponents. As for roster sizes, I think VLC use to not keep more that 24 players unless there was an absolute reason (like some players aren't available for part of the year, etc). 2022 - 23 players 2023 - 27 players 2024 - 24 players 2025 - 27 players 2026 - 18 players (probably why they are holding another tryout) 2027 - 23 players Averages out to 23 players a team. Seems about right. Circumstances always cause teams to flex a little bit in size but I don't think VLC has lost its way in their mission. Its nothing like the ML rosters that are 30 players in many spots. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Seems like Cavs is falling apart at a couple age groups so a merger probably wouldn't make sense. With Blackwolf and VLC now competing for the middle school kids out in Loudoun County, it's going to be interesting how Cavs fares. They've had good teams, but to make it they have to have a good pipeline aging through the program!
VLC rosters are bigger at the younger ages but I think they will get smaller. 2025 team had some "issues" this summer but have turned it around and probably let some kids stay on the team that might have been let go otherwise. They have gotten a lot more talented this fall and some kids will naturally drop off next year due to lack of playing time etc. Team is doing so much better with anew coaching staff and some really good players coming to the team this season. In another year they will be among the best in the DMV as they come together. For all the talk of their attack line being "not the best" They have added talent there and at midfield. The older players will have to train hard to compete and see the field. Which is totally natural for an A level team. |
Anonymous
| 2023 does not have 27 players |
Anonymous
Speaking of Blackwolf, does anybody know what class years they actually have teams and what their roster sizes are? Do they have actual teams or just clinics and lessons. Hard to separate fact and fiction with them. |
Anonymous
| BW is a fine option if your kid does not want to play in games or tournaments. The 2022 class is strong the rest is unknown |
Anonymous
They still have a timid, underperforming offense. |
Anonymous
Yes, they should have been shut out by NL at HoCO Sunday. They do have talented kids on that team but coaches are struggling getting the mix right the field. Give it some time. |
Anonymous
Players don't throw or catch so well -vlc called a timeout and turned the ball over on the first pass. |
Anonymous
I have no tie to the 2025 team, but I cringe when I read an adult making snarky criticisms (right or wrong) of a specific kid's play on this board. If you have a son on the 2025 team and are complaining anonymously and publicly about your son's teammates, you have issues. If you are an opposing parent, then you have a different set of issues. If you are using this board to work through frustration over your own's play, ouch. In any case, sorry you are not in a better place - try to enjoy these times, stay strong and keep perspective! |