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01/03/2024 10:39 AMLacrosse is a passion that goes unmatched for Sam Jewett. From playing the sport himself, to becoming a mentor for younger players, he has made an indelible mark on the Guilford High School boys’ lacrosse program over the years.
Sam, a Guilford native and sophomore goaltender for the Wesleyan Cardinals lacrosse team, spent his childhood participating in Guilford youth athletics, when he eventually found a love for the lacrosse field. It was a result of family influence that sparked his unwavering desire to pick up a stick.
“I come from a large family; I have five other siblings. They all were very active with sports, and that really inspired me to pick up something myself,” Sam says. “My father played in college and got me my first miniature sized lacrosse stick at two years old. In old home videos, I was using the stick to pick up balls before I could walk. My parents have always been my biggest supporters. If ever a moment of doubt, they were the first ones to pick me up and get me back out there. The game is the fastest game on two feet, once you pick up your first stick, it's almost impossible to put it down.”
That support system Sam has from his family runs deep, as lacrosse became a good source of bonding between him and his dad over the years.
“No matter what age I was, I was on the sideline watching so I could have early exposure. My first organized year of lacrosse was Little Warriors with Guilford Youth Lacrosse Association at seven years old,” says Sam. “I remember that was the first year of that program and we had 10 guys; now, Little Cubs is a full roster for young bucks to go learn the game from some great coaches in Guilford.”
Growing up surrounded by a family that was involved in sports, Sam played the field during the early years of his time with youth lacrosse. He made the switch in third grade to be in front of the net and never looked back, and notes that his dad supported him throughout this change.
Not only has Sam taken his talents in the net to the collegiate circuit, but he also had the desire to give back to others who share his passion, and help them to become better lacrosse players. Because of that, he started a lacrosse goalie training program, in which he has found many success stories after spending his Sundays training three of Guilford High School’s boys’ lacrosse goaltenders.
After Sam parted ways with his childhood teammates to attend a different high school (Proctor Academy in New Hampshire), he became re-involved with Guilford athletics during his junior year.
“Although I never went to GHS, I always wanted the team to succeed. I played with those guys for five years in Guilford youth, and really wanted them to win, even if I could not be a part of it myself,” says Sam. “I decided to make it my goal to help my fellow goalies learn some of the things I have had the privilege to learn throughout my own journey. After seeing the progress we had made, I decided to pursue private coaching with the upcoming goalies, as well.”
One player that Sam has positively impacted is Jacob Schlessel, a goalie who was named to the 2023 Academic All-American team for the Grizzlies. Jacob believes Sam is a big reason he’s been able to reach his full potential in lacrosse.
“Sam's coaching turned me into a much better goalie. Every coaching session, we focused on developing strategies for saving one specific type of shot, for example 8-yard step downs or shots right on the crease,” says Schlessel. “Sam taught me the best techniques for saving every type of shot, and as a result, I was much more confident on the field because I felt prepared for anything that came my way.”
With Sam’s extensive time and commitment training Schlessel, he feels that having Sam by his side all the way through the summer before his senior year made a positive impact in the way he approached his position and attitude in his final foray on the turf.
“Sam helped me develop into a better leader, both on and off the field. He taught me the importance of communicating with my teammates so I could let them know where they needed to be on the field, and what they could expect the offense to do,” says Schlessel. “His coaching also taught me how to handle situations when the defense made mistakes that led to goals. Sam taught me ways to let my teammates know what they did wrong without bringing them down, and to instead encourage them to make the next play.”
Not only does Sam have to balance being a student and a collegiate athlete, but he also goes above and beyond with his high school goalie training program. Sam has recruited some of Wesleyan’s best shooters to work with the players on Citrin Field in Middletown, which has helped them bring their games to a higher level.
“It is not easy, but it is worth it! Training goalies and attending Wesleyan University are both big commitments, but the parents of the kids I work with make it a lot easier to manage,” Sam says. “Also, the resources to get better at lacrosse are all available at Wesleyan, which is why I encourage the Grizzlies to come check it out for a possible home in the future. Most of my lessons happen out of season and on the weekends, when both my clients and I are free. However, I am willing to squeeze in a lesson at any time, with anyone who can share a love for this game with me.”
Despite all the positives that have come from Sam’s passion for lacrosse, he was also forced to overcome adversity when he suffered a season-ending injury last year that halted his career.
“Last year, for the first time ever, I faced a season-ending injury with about two months left in our season,” says Sam. “I suffered a concussion, which not only took a toll on my play, but also my ability to be present in the classroom. It was very hard to separate myself from the team during my recovery, but this season is really going to be special. I realized that there are only so few chances to make some noise with these being my last two seasons here at Wes. Every day is a grind to get back to how I was before my injury. Lacrosse goalie is a lot more than just physical toughness, as you need to be mentally tough, as well. My first few practices back this fall I was building back up that mental toughness. It was not easy, but it is one of those aspects that separates good goalies from great goalies.”
As Sam continues playing on the field and coaching from the sidelines, he looks forward to watching his fellow goalies go out there and show off the hard work they have been putting in.
“Even if we have just had one lesson, I am still rooting for them as if we meet weekly! Like I said earlier, getting in between the pipes in lacrosse is a lot more than being physically tough,” Sam says. “We do get pelted with rubber balls for a living, but we make sure to get back up and make that next save! It is an honor to watch the Grizzly goalie crew grow in size and skill year to year. I am very thankful for the crew of goalies I work with, their work ethic, and their parents trusting me to help turn their boys into mentally strong men. This year, the goalies at Guilford are undoubtedly ready to make a run for that SCC title.”