Brian Reese honored as IAAM Lacrosse Coach of the Year

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

Four years after taking over the lacrosse program at Maryvale, Brian Reese found the right formula to help the program earn its first A Conference championship since 2002.

To finally emerge with the coveted title, the Lions’ recent legacy of playoff disappointments had to be overcome and the 2025 IAAM Lacrosse Coach of the Year was up to the challenge.

A quarterfinal loss to McDonogh in Reese’s first season was followed by consecutive setbacks to St. Paul’s School for Girls in the 2023 and 2024 semifinals.

Those devastating defeats to the Gators ended otherwise spectacular campaigns in which Maryvale posted a combined 34-6 record.

This spring, early losses were a little more frequent  — and significantly less lethal.

With Reese’s steady hand on the helm, the fourth-seeded Lions (13-5) learned from those letdowns while steeling themselves for the rigors of A Conference playoff lacrosse against formidable competition.

In the end, they had the resolve to triumph, 9-8, over top-seeded McDonogh in a riveting overtime semifinal before a hard-fought victory over No. 2 Archbishop Spalding, 7-5, in the championship game before a raucous full house at USA Lacrosse’s Tierney Field.

“We lost some games in the regular season,” Reese said, alluding to falling short against Bryn Mawr, Spalding, McDonogh and St. Paul’s in league play. “But that wasn’t a death sentence.”

And according to senior midfielder Avery Weetenkamp, a lot of credit goes to her coach.

“We had struggled in the (’23 and ’24) semis,” the Stanford commit said. “But he did a good job of resetting, of getting us back to the basics. I saw a whole lot more growth from us this season. He told us that this is the year that we could win it all, ‘and you guys can do it. You just have to understand how good you are.’”

Even with those strong sentiments in mind, there was still more tweaking to be done after a loss to the Mawrtians in early April sent the Lions slightly off kilter.

At an emotionally-charged practice the next day, Weetenkamp said that Reese implemented changes that paid off in the postseason.

A stronger pace in “tempo and intensity” that better mirrored game conditions — along with more encouragement from Reese — helped Maryvale get back on track, Weetenkamp said.

“He told us that we haven’t even scratched the surface of how good we could be,” she continued.

Reese said that his biggest concern this spring was managing how to get a strong freshmen class to mesh with his veteran troops.

However, Weetenkamp said that Reese allows all of his players to find their footing, regardless of class year or age.

“When I came in as freshman, I knew that I had to earn my place on the field,” she said. “I worked to show who I was — just like every other player. He just instills a quiet confidence in his players. He lets you show what you can do, and you want to make him proud.”

Still, completing the journey took some grit and guile from the players, and guidance from Reese

After a tremendous comeback by McDonogh helped the Eagles to an 11-10 verdict when the two powers met in a regular-season encounter, the situation was reversed in the semifinal round.

McDonogh, riding a 10-game winning streak against A Conference foes, led, 6-2, at halftime.

Reese and his staff refused to panic, instead he told his players that a reversal of fortune was in the offing.

“We felt like we were the better team,” Reese said. “We just had to prove it.”

Weetenkamp and her teammates took another of Reese’s messages to heart.

“He told us that what they did to us, we’re going to do to them,” she said. “And we believed him.”

Maryvale athletic director Telia Marks said that Reese brings an unparalleled combination of high-level playing experience (St. Paul’s, University of Maryland), championship pedigree, and a deep commitment to the development of student-athletes to the table.

“Coach Reese continues to inspire, challenge, and elevate his athletes, both on and off the field,” she said. “He brings out the best in his players by emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and a deep understanding of the game. His players respect him not only for his knowledge but for his ability to teach, motivate, and connect with them personally. He fosters a culture of accountability, and resilience, that extends far beyond wins and losses. In every role he has held, Brian Reese has demonstrated excellence, and a passion for the game.”