Introduction to LtN from Lacrosse the Nations on Vimeo.

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Lacrosse the Nations is an international humanitarian organization that utilizes sport and play to provide education, mentorship, hope, and opportunity to children living in impoverished communities worldwide.

The most successful college lacrosse program on the West Coast over the past few years has hired one of West’s the most successful high school coaches to take over its program. Dallas Hartley, who has led La Costa Canyon to four CIF-San Diego Section titles, has been named the new head coach at MCLA Division I powerhouse Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Hartley takes over for Mike Wood, who was fired in the offseason after leading the Panthers to three straight MCLA Division I final fours and a 50-8 overall record. Hartley takes over a program that, despite all its success, has fired its last two head coaches. “It’s an honor to be selected as Chapman’s head coach,” Hartley said. ”My tenure at La Costa Canyon High School was very enjoyable, and I will always value the relationships with my LCC players, parents and colleagues. “Here at Chapman, we hope to continue the incredible successes that the previous coaches, the current players and alumni, and the athletic administration have worked together to build. I couldn’t be more proud to represent such a fantastic school and successful program.” Hartley coached at La Costa Canyon for the past nine years, including eight as the varsity team’s head coach. Under his tenure, the Mavericks won seven straight North County Conference championships, played in eight straight CIF-San Diego Section championship games and won CIF titles in 2010, 2008, 2006 and 2005. During that time, La Costa Canyon compiled an overall record of 141-29, including two undefeated seasons, and a North County Conference record of 70-6. In 2010, the Mavericks finished the season 23-0 and were ranked No. 2 in the Western United States. La Costa Canyon also went unbeaten in 2005. Hartley has been selected CIF Coach of the Year four times. “Dallas brings a wealth of experience, and he has a great familiarity with our team and our players at Chapman, many of whom he coached at La Costa Canyon,” Chapman’s Vice Chancellor and Dean of Enrollment Mike Pelly said. “I think he’s the right person to take Chapman lacrosse to the next level, which is pretty darn high considering the team’s recent success under former coach Mike Wood. A 2000 graduate of Sonoma State University, Hartley received numerous accolades as a player. He was named team captain in 2000, earned first-team All-WCLL honors in 1998, 1999 and 2000, USILA All-American honors in 1999 and 2000, and USILA first-team All-Tournament honors in 1999 and 2000 as a long-stick middie. Hartley was inducted into the Sonoma State Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2005. Hartley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Sonoma State University in 2001. “I can’t think of a more qualified person for the job,” Pelly said. “Dallas has the right mix of leadership, knowledge and vision needed to continue the successful momentum of our team. “And I think he’s also a great match for our athletic department. We are one of the few teams in the MCLA that reports directly to athletics, and since Dallas was born into a family with several former collegiate athletic directors, college athletics is in his blood. I look to him to build a strong relationship with our current administration.”

When most coaches have a favorite memory of one of their top scorers, it’s usually an acrobatic shot or a fancy, how-did-he-see-that pass that springs to mind.

But when asked for one the most memorable plays involving WSL Oregon Player of the Year Henry Schoonmaker, Lincoln head coach Will Harris chose an attribute he says embodies his player’s style and success: Effort.

“It was a critical play in the (2008) state championship against (Oregon Episcopal). Late in the game we were down a goal,” explained Harris.

“Henry wins a face-off but loses it right away and has to go back to our zone and fight off a couple players for a loose ball. He wins it back and gets it into our offensive zone then gets double and then triple-teamed. They put him on the ground but he gets up and gets the ball into our playmakers, we score and tie the game and then we win in regulation for our first championship. That’s when we knew Henry had something special.”

For his part, Schoonmaker recalls the key play during his sophomore year as well.

“I remember (afterward) I was dead, just dead,” he said. “After I got it (to the playmakers), I didn’t think I had anything left and then we scored and I had to go back for the (ensuing) face-off.”

Harris said leaving it all on the field is part of what makes Schoonmaker, who will be taking his talents to 11-time NCAA Division I champion Syracuse this fall, such a successful player.

“Henry came (to Lincoln) in a very strong class,” Harris said. “As a group, they played JV2 as freshmen. I heard a ton about them as a class and Henry was always at the top, not because people thought he had the smoothest stick or slickest style. He works for what he gets, and it’s his work ethic people talk about.

“And he gravitated to that part of the field where those things matter, winning face-offs, leadership, all those things coaches love. I never thought ‘Oh my gosh, this is a great lacrosse player.’ I just loved the way he works, on the field and off the field, where he’s always staying after practice, even after games, practicing his shooting. (He does) all the things that are the glue to a championship team.”

Schoonmaker describes himself as “a very scrappy, hardworking player. Some people give up; I don’t.” He attributes his toughness to being the youngest of three boys. “My brothers used to beat the (crap) out of me. My brothers would say, ‘I’m just making you tougher.’ I guess it did.”

None of this is to suggest the 6-foot-1, 185 pound Schoonmaker can’t put up gaudy offensive numbers. In 24 games this season, the middie scored 66 goals and added 25 assists while scooping up 179 ground balls to lead Lincoln to its second state title after losing in the final a season ago.

Predictably, Schoonmaker was far more proud of the championship than the stats.

“We were really excited the whole year. Our senior class, we were pretty much all on JV2 together and are really good friends, more of a family. And we set out on a mission this year that we had to win states.”

Despite what he’s accomplished, Harris thinks Schoonmaker’s best lacrosse is ahead of him.

“He’s a tremendous athlete and has taken the best advantage of his athletic ability, but he still has a ton of potential in terms of lacrosse skill,” he said. “He’s demonstrated the ability to improve every year.

Programs across the nation will see a lot of freshmen this year who have maxed out on lacrosse and athletic skill. Henry hasn’t come close to maxing out, athletically or with lacrosse skill….With that environment and that coaching (at Syracuse), he’s going to blossom.”