DCC Striding Through Memorable Start
May 10, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The win was only one and came now a month ago, and the first of two possible rematches is Saturday.
So everything about this Detroit Catholic Central boys lacrosse season hasn’t been and shouldn’t be about a 10-9 overtime victory April 10 over Birmingham Brother Rice, the Shamrocks’ first over their rival since 1994.
But edging the Warriors also has served as a springboard for top-ranked DCC, which will face Brother Rice again in Saturday’s Detroit Catholic League A-Division championship game and quite possibly in next month’s MHSAA Division 1 Final for the fifth straight season.
DCC is the MHSAA/Applebee’s “Team of the Month” for April, in part for overcoming the Warriors for the first time in decades, but also for a 12-2 record that includes a 9-0 mark against in-state competition.
The Shamrocks also own wins over No. 9 Rockford and Division 2 No. 2 East Grand Rapids, last season’s champion in that division, and claimed a two-goal thriller against Toronto St. Michael’s College. Those are among performances that have given 13-year coach Dave Wilson an idea what his team is capable of heading into the two biggest regular-season games of the season and the MHSAA Regional starting next week.
“They’re willing to do some of the really little things, and listen and make sure we’re all on the same page,” Wilson said of his team. “And they just have a willingness to go to the next step.”
So far, those next steps have looked like six wins scoring at least 20 goals – and perhaps more impressive, 11 games giving up nine or fewer and seven giving up four or less. The losses came by only seven goals to undefeated Indiana powerhouse Culver Military Academy and five to Ohio’s Dublin Coffman, which had just one defeat entering this week.
DCC has a mix of experience with seven seniors and larger groups of juniors and sophomores. Senior attack Peter Thompson and junior attack Joey Kamish are returning all-staters. And Wilson recently was named to this year’s Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame class.
Senior midfielder Ethan Pattinson is among those leading the way on this run – “When things really get tough, he just puts it into another gear,” Wilson said. The coach also mentioned senior mid Patrick Brandemihl, who is among those doing those little things, providing great defense and the occasional goal while filling roles that frequently are unsung.
After Brother Rice on Saturday comes Division 2 top-ranked and undefeated Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central a week from today – and then another opportunity to take another giant step. And that takes us back to Brother Rice one more time – the Shamrocks fell to the Warriors by only a goal in last season’s Division 1 Final and by only two in the 2016 championship game.
“It’s given us a nice confidence booster,” Wilson said of the win over the Warriors on April 10. “But no matter how emotional a win, that’s still only one win.”
And yet, he’s learned something else promising about this team from that game and its mostly impressive first six weeks: “Just the intensity of when we’re on, we are really on.”
Past Teams of the Month, 2017-18
March: Brighton hockey - Report
February: Marquette girls and boys skiing - Report
January: Sterling Heights Stevenson competitive cheer - Report
December: Cadillac boys bowling - Report
November: Ottawa Lake Whiteford football - Report
October: Beaverton volleyball - Report
September: Shepherd girls golf - Report
PHOTOS: (Top) DCC’s Connor Beals works to gain possession of a face-off against Brother Rice last month. (Middle) Shamrocks’ coach Dave Wilson is recognized as part of the 2018 MHSLCA Hall of Fame class. (Photos courtesy of the DCC boys lacrosse program.)
EGR Denies Country Day Repeat Attempt, Delivers 1st Finals Title Under Past Standout
By
Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
June 6, 2025
ANN ARBOR – In 2007, Kyle Osipoff couldn’t have imagined a much better feeling than winning a Division 2 boys lacrosse championship as a senior for East Grand Rapids.
On Friday night, Osipoff may have topped that feeling when he coached the Pioneers to their first championship since 2021, with a 15-10 win over Detroit Country Day at the University of Michigan.
“I won here. I graduated in 2007, so to be part of this (as a coach), is an honor,” Osipoff said of the title, his first as a head coach, and seventh for the program. “To win one with these boys is probably one of the cooler experiences I’ve had in my life. I’m grateful. I’m happy.”
East Grand Rapids (20-3) never trailed in the contest, as it was able to get out to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter thanks to three goals from senior attacker Gavin Buck.
“We knew that we had to come out hot, and that is exactly what we did,” Buck said. “The team was in it from the very get-go, and we just wanted this thing.”
East Grand Rapids was able to control play most of the first half, thanks largely to its success with faceoffs. Junior Kaden Goossens won all 11 faceoffs in the opening half.
“The biggest difference for us was the faceoff X,” Osipoff said. “Getting scored on, or scoring goals, knowing you have the opportunity to get the ball back every time is huge. Kayden Goosens did a phenomenal job for us, and he is a major part of why we got that win tonight.”
The possession battle prevented Detroit Country Day (20-4) from finding an offensive groove in the opening half. The Yellowjackets were held to just two goals over the first 24 minutes and trailed 7-2 at the break.
“We just couldn’t get into a rhythm,” Country Day coach Chris Garland said. “They won faceoffs and took the air out of the ball, and we just couldn’t get it back. (EGR) scored some really good goals early, and we got in a hole that we just couldn’t get out of.”
Country Day got more offensive production in the second half, but each time the Yellowjackets seemed to build some steam, East Grand Rapids had an answer.
Senior Bennett Winkel came through with a pair of goals in response to DCD scores in the third quarter, and sparked a three-goal rally to give the Pioneers a 13-5 advantage entering the fourth.
Country Day would string together three straight goals midway through the final quarter, but the Pioneers kept winning faceoffs to prevent the Yellowjackets from making a serious run at the lead. Goosens finished the game winning 26 of the 29 faceoffs held.
“I worked hard all season and I wanted to give my team the best chance to win, and that was by getting them the ball,” Goosens said of his play. “I think I did a pretty good job of it tonight.”
Buck finished with a match-high four goals for EGR, while Winkel added three.
“We are going to miss them. They are two seniors in Gavin Buck and Bennett Winkel that, when we are in a tough spot and need a goal, we can count on those guys,” Osipoff said.
Dylan Buck also scored three goals for the Pioneers, while Oliver Owen scored twice, and Owen Stropkai tallied five assists.
Country Day was led by Keaton Yearego, Luke Fisher, and Rhys Kenney, who each scored twice. Joseph North had one goal and two assists.
The Yellowjackets reached the D2 Final for the fourth-consecutive season, a credit to Garland, who is stepping away from the program after six seasons at the helm. Garland is moving to Baltimore, Md., and leaves Country Day with a 100-26 record, including the 2024 Division 2 championship.
“I think things are in better shape, and I am really proud of what we have accomplished here,” Garland said of his time with the Yellowjackets. “I have to thank the parents, the coaches, and the kids for all they gave. I will really miss the kids and the school, but I know the next coach will do a great job.”
PHOTOS (Top) East Grand Rapids coach Kyle Osipoff presents the championship trophy to his team Friday night at U-M. (Middle) EGR and Country Day players collide while in pursuit of a loose ball.