Ryan Young Interview

I remember reading a quote in the paper from my former high school coach, Chaminade's Jack Moran, in Newsday. It was a preview to the Flyer's 2006 season opener where he said something along the lines of, " Today no one knows who Ryan Young is, but tomorrow they are going to find out." Coach Moran didn't normally make statements like that before games. I remember thinking that I had better get over to Ott Field to check out the game. The game began and Ryan Young did not disappoint. He had 5 goals and 3 assists in a 10-6 Flyer victory over Nassau Class A power, Massapequa. The next time that I saw him play, he had transferred to Manhasset High School. It was another clinic with Ryan dishing 8 assists in a victory over Darien, CT.

Ryan would go on to be an Under Armour All American, All Long Island and win the Bill Rich Award winner that goes to Long Island's Attackman of theYear. Ryan was also named to the US U 19 team that would win the gold in Coquitlam, British Columbia, in the U19 World Games.

Ryan didn't waste any time upon arriving in College Park as he started at the University of Maryland from the very first game and was named the Terp's outstanding freshman in 2008. He was also named the Outstanding Attackman at Maryland in 2008 and 2009. Ryan was named 2nd team All American in 2009. He would go on to pick up an Honorable Mention AA in 2010 and 3rd team AA in 2011. The ACC honors would come as well. He was named to the All ACC team in 2009 and 2010 and the ACC All Tournament team this past year. He ranked 6th all time at Maryland in assists with 97 and 17th in points with 163. Ryan would return home to play lacrosse as he was picked in the 4th round of the MLL draft by the Long Island Lizards with the 23rd overall pick.

I had the chance to speak with Dave Cottle,the former University of Maryland coach, who told me that he was first put on to Ryan by Chaminade High School Coach, Jack Moran. Cottle told me that he was fortunate to have Coach Moran's son, Ryan play for him then become an assistant coach at Maryland. The Chaminade coach called one day and said that, "Ryan Young was the best player that he had ever coached." Once again, Ryan Young did not disappoint. Cottle felt that Ryan constantly pushed himself in practices and games. Coach said, "Ryan was a great dodger and feeder and he really improved as a finisher, so he did all the big things very well, but he also did the little things. He always worked hard on riding, would come up with key ground balls and practiced at a really high level. This earned the respect of the team right away in his freshman year. Ryan was a great teammate."

We had a few questions for Ryan. Check em out:

Ryan, how did you handle being the quarterback of the offense as a freshman at Maryland? What skills that you honed on Long Island,prepared you for college lacrosse?

I was able to handle the role of being X attackman as a freshman at Maryland because of a lot of hard work on and off the field. I was always working on my stick skills and speed, as well as watching a lot of film. Also, growing up in Manhassetprepared me for top competition at an early age.Was it a big adjustment playing for Coach Tillman as a senior after playing for

Coach Cottle your first three years of college?

At first it was and adjustment, but once we all bought into the system, it was easy and fun to play for Coach Tillman.

What are some of your best memories playing for the Terps?

My best memories as a Terp were winning the ACC championship, beating Cuse in OT to go to the Final Four and the senior trip to Mexico.

What were the teams biggest wins while you were there?

My biggest wins were beating undefeated and number 1 ranked,UVA my freshman year, beating Duke and UNC to win the ACC championship, beating Cuse to reach the Final Four and beating Duke in the Final Four at M&T in front of a very pro Maryland crowd.

How were the Terps able to bounce back from losing to Colgate on Senior Day to

go on that incredible run through the playoffs?

We had a lot of ups and downs throughout 2011. We lost to Colgate on Senior Day and were not seeded because of that. This caused us to play with a big chip on our shoulder. We developed alot of swagger from that point on and played really inspired lacrosse.

Which was a bigger jump for you, high school to college or college to the MLL?

For me the jump to the MLL gave me a tough time. It took me three games to score my first goal, but after that I began to settle in.

How excited were you to be drafted by the Long Island Lizards?

Being drafted by the Long Island Lizards was a dream come true. Practices were at my old high school and games were 20 minutes away. Pretty convenient.

What was the biggest adjustment to playing in the MLL?

My biggest adjustment to playing in the MLL was my role on the team. At MD and in high school I was always behind the goal running the offense. When I got to the Lizards they asked me to embrace a different role as an invert middie. It took me a few games to adjust, but I got the hang of it.

What food from LI did you miss the most while you were down at MD?

Pizza at school can not touch NY pizza.Which legendary Manhasset pizza, Villa Milano or Gino's?

Gino's all day!

We'll catch up with Ryan again when the Lizards take the field in 2012.