The Navy Old Goats lacrosse team has achieved a remarkable victory, capturing the Vail Shootout championship for the first time in 25 years. The tournament, held annually at a renowned mountain resort in Colorado, saw the team triumph over their opponents in a display of skill and determination.
The origins of the Old Goats date back to 1991 when Bryan Matthews, then the Navy men’s lacrosse coach, was approached by the Vail Shootout organizers. They requested him to assemble a team of former Navy players. Matthews reached out to Mike Gottleib, a 1971 graduate, who successfully gathered a squad that included five other distinguished alumni: Brian Lantier (Class of 1965), Dennis Wedekind (1965), Hank Malloy (1965), Kevin O’Connor (1971), and Ray Finnegan (1974). This marked the inception of the Navy Lacrosse Brotherhood’s tournament representation.
Over the next decade, Gottleib led the Old Goats to significant success, including three Vail Shootout championships between 1995 and 2000. However, participation dwindled in the following years, and there were instances when the team could not field a squad for the tournament.
Three years ago, the leadership transitioned to Syd Abernethy, a highly regarded former Navy player and 1981 All-American attackman. Abernethy revitalized the Old Goats, shifting their focus from merely competing in tournaments to fostering connections within the Navy lacrosse community. He emphasized the importance of mentorship and support for the current team, stating, “I shifted our focus from just showing up to tournaments to connecting more with Navy lacrosse.”
Under Abernethy’s leadership, the Old Goats committed to donating $10,000 annually to the Navy men’s lacrosse program, supporting the planned Navy Lacrosse Center, a $22 million facility announced in 2023. His initiatives also include a mentorship program that connects former players with current Midshipmen, reinforcing the bonds within the Navy Lacrosse Brotherhood. Joe Amplo, the current Navy men’s lacrosse coach, commended the Old Goats for their active involvement and support, highlighting the value of their fellowship.
In addition to their successful off-field initiatives, the Old Goats also excelled on the field. Last month, a newly-formed 40-and-over team clinched the championship in the Supermasters Division at the Vail Shootout. Led by Paul Haberlein (2003) and Chris Kiesel (2002), the team defeated Domewood, a combination of former Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame players, with a score of 5-4 in a thrilling double overtime match. The decisive victory came from a goal by midfielder Adam Reel, who was instrumental in the 2004 Navy team that reached the national championship game.
The Old Goats also fielded a 60-and-over team that reached the finals of the Zenmasters Division but fell to the Texas team Los Abuelos, 5-2. Abernethy, who served as player-coach, expressed optimism about future competitions, noting the increased number of former Navy players on the roster and their enhanced understanding of the game.
Reflecting on the recent victory, Haberlein remarked, “Getting together with my former Navy teammates decades later has been one of the most rewarding lacrosse experiences of my life. It turns out we can all still play lacrosse at a relatively high level. We just went out there and played Navy lacrosse as a team.”
The Old Goats continue to strengthen their presence in the lacrosse community. Abernethy aims to enhance competitiveness by working to improve the 50-and-over team’s roster and is planning to establish a 30-and-over squad within the next two years. The recent achievements of the Navy Old Goats not only celebrate their legacy in lacrosse but also reinforce the lasting connections forged through the sport.