Along with the first season of Homestead lacrosse came another first: the first time ever a goalie has earned the recognition of Player of the Year from the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation. Anthony Kennin, senior goalie, was the pioneer for all goalies in the state when he was recognized as the Player of the Year for the 2016 season.

Capping off a successful inaugural season, the senior goalie earned First Team All Conference and First Team All State honors, along with teammates who also gained All Conference rankings. Mitch Lauenstein, senior defender, and Johnny Erpenbeck, junior midfielder, were named Second Team All Conference, while Cole Tietyen, and Michael Gebhardt, sophomores, were named Honorable Mentions at attack and long stick middie, respectively.

According to Mike LaValle, boys lacrosse head coach, the honors are well-deserved for Kennin. “When you’re voted as the number one player in the state, among all positions and all players and you’re part of a first year program, there’s something really special in that recognition.  It’s an incredible accomplishment for Anthony because of the hard work that goes into being that good…He has continually trained to made himself better before, during and after practices. He has spent an incalculable amount of hours working on his position and it’s paid off,” Coach LaValle said.

“He’s a gifted athlete to start but with his work effort, dedication, effort and commitment, he has made himself the best player in the state,” he added.

Kennin expressed his surprise when he learned of his accomplishment. “I was told on Friday I was the Player of the Year in Wisconsin and I was just shocked because a goalie has never won it,” he said. “Earning the highest award from a first-year program is honestly insane. I just thought to myself I couldn’t believe I beat kids from the best programs like Arrowhead or Verona.”

The news came as the cherry on top of Homestead’s triumphant first year with both boys and girls lacrosse. The boys went 13-6 and won several big games, knocking off teams ranked in the top ten and competing very closely with other high level programs.

Coach LaValle stated that a Homestead player earning the Player of the Year award “solidifies who we are and who we will be for future years. It’s a team effort and we have begun to build a program that will compete for the state title every year.  We’ve put in a tremendous amount of hours together and we’ve begun paving the way for future lacrosse players at Homestead.”

Kennin started playing in sixth grade, and he played with several other Homestead students for Ozaukee last year before becoming the first-ever goalie for Homestead lacrosse this spring. He added an element of leadership and camaraderie to the team, according to Lauenstein, who praised his achievement.

“Having someone worthy of player of the year on our team is unreal. The amount of talent and skill he brings to the team is unsurpassed,” Lauenstein said. “On and off the field, Anthony adds a crazy fun dynamic to the team. On the field he brings his ‘A’ game, and off the field he brings a skill to bond the team together.”

His coach summarized the impact Kennin had on Homestead lacrosse the best: “We are all excited to see what else he will do in his lacrosse career. Stay tuned because I think the journey has just begun. He’s helped put Homestead lacrosse on the map.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Abbi Passey

Kennin handles the ball and looks to pass up the field to his teammates.