Playing as a family just means more for Lakeview lacrosse team with three sets of brothers

BATTLE CREEK – When you are a member of a team, especially in a physical sport like lacrosse, there is a feeling of brotherhood.

While all the boys in purple and white feel like they are brothers when they are on the field, the Lakeview lacrosse varsity roster features three sets of actual brothers that makes playing for the Spartans a real family affair in 2024.

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"Having those sets of brothers brings a real family atmosphere to the team and helps create a bond that is felt throughout the team," Lakeview lacrosse coach Gerald Haadsma said. "Those brothers really bring a competitive spirit to the field, especially at practice. They get after each other because of those sibling rivalries and that allows for the the rest of the team to really get after it also. It really picks up the intensity at practice and having those brothers here really makes a better, more united team, overall."

Two of the senior leaders and returning All-City members for Lakeview are Luke Schuemann and Dieter Bloch. Each have younger brothers on the varsity team this year in freshman Pine Schuemann and sophomore Rykert Bloch. The third set of brothers are twins Danny and Luke Borozan, who both joined the Lakeview lacrosse program for the first time this season in their senior year.

Growing up with a brother that also plays lacrosse can have its advantages.

"You have someone to go in the backyard with and play catch. When you are in a family that plays lacrosse, you grow up talking about it a lot. It becomes part of what we do," Dieter Bloch said.

You also hand down the sport, as four-year standout Luke Schuemann has done as his younger brother has joined the team as a freshman.

"When you are the older brother, you get to teach a bit as well. You are playing in the backyard and showing him stuff as he starts to learn the sport," Luke Schuemann said.

That dynamic played itself out in a practical way when it came to the Bloch siblings.

"They grow up playing against each other. They play at home all year-round, not just at practice or during the season," Haadsma said. "Dieter, an offensive guy, and Rykert, a goalkeeper, they grew up shooting at each other, sharpening their skills. You could see that play out recently with Rykert getting 23 saves against a really good Brighton team in one of the biggest wins in our program history last week."

In another game, the brother connection played out in the middle of the field as well.

"Us coaches were just talking about this the other day. There was a game last week where Pine didn't even have to know where Luke was, didn't have to hear him say anything, and he was just able to roll back and get the ball to him for a shot. They have that connection," Haadsma said. "They know each other so well, from growing up playing with each other. That only comes with being brothers."

And with the Borozan twins being off-the-field friends with their senior teammates Luke Schuemann and Dieter Bloch, Lakeview was able to get a two-for-one bonus when those brothers joined the program this year.

"It helps to grow the program when these guys talk lacrosse with their friends, or get friends of friends of friends to try the sport. That's what we need to grow lacrosse here at Lakeview," Haadsma said. "The Borozans were good friends to some of our players and they talked them into coming out. They are good athletes, they are learning a lot, and bring great energy as they are helping the team."

Lakeview recently enjoyed a highlight for the season by winning the All-City tournament, beating Harper Creek in triple overtime. Luke Schuemann, who will play next year at Albion College, is having a big senior season with 41 goals in 11 games played with seven assists and 80 ground balls. Dieter Bloch, headed to Davenport University, has 20 goals with 11 assists and 30 ground balls. Rykert Bloch has 122 saves in goal with a 62% save percentage.

While actually being brothers can be an advantage, as demonstrated above. Growing up in the sport creates a familial bond with all of your teammates as well.

"My brother is on the team, but all these guys are my family, really," Luke Schuemann said. "Me and Dieter, we have been playing together for eight years, more than half of our life. Even though we aren't family really, we are like brothers because of lacrosse."

Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview lacrosse is a real family affair with three sets of brothers