Zach Bleil: Legendary Lacrosse Player

Coach Scott Bartush described how he “embodies what it means to be a team captain and more importantly a team leader. He is the heart and soul of our lacrosse team.” He also spoke highly of Bleil personally, observing how “his infectious positive attitude, natural leadership ability, and love of his community are apparent in everything he does.” He noted Bleil’s “innate ability to rise to any occasion and lead his teammates through

whatever adversity they may encounter.” He is always ready and willing to help when- ever he is needed.” He commended how Bleil is “often organizing and implementing extra work with his teammates at the field and in the classroom” and how “he has taken the younger players under his wing and helped mentor them into the lacrosse players they currently are, and pushed them towards the lacrosse player they will be.”

Bleil’s lacrosse accomplishments show how comfortable and dominant he is on the field. Bartush praised Bleil’s performance on the lacrosse field, saying: “as a player, Zach is a force to be reckoned with. He is a generational player that other teams fear. He can and does contribute to every aspect of the game.” He continued, “He is unselfish in everything that he does, always reading the defense to make the best play for the team. Over the last 20 years, I have never had a player as dynamic and impactful as Zach.” Describing his own style of play, Bleil noted,“When I play lacrosse, I don’t really feel anything, and that’s the fun of it. It’s a great stress reliever and I’m just in the flow of the game, having a great time.” Bartush said, “[Bleil] was a US Lacrosse High School All American as a Junior, is our leading scorer, assist leader, top on the team in ground balls, our best clearing mid-fielder, and our best short-stick defender. There is little to no way of shutting him down.”

But, for now, Bleil is focused on the future. He said “my personal goals this year are to break the single season and single game points records. As a team I’m hoping to beat Brunswick and win the FAA.” Bartush expressed confidence in his captain, saying “he is an extremely dedicated, hardworking, and caring young man. He not only inspires his peers, but he also inspires everyone that is in contact with him.” Bleil will continue to play lacrosse next year at Yale.