The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Chagrin basks in state runs
Chagrin Falls’ boys and girls lacrosse teams head to Oberlin College on May 30 as state semifinalists.
The shared accomplishment is remarkable in its own right and carries added significance because of deep-rooted connections between the program.
Paul Corto has coached the Tigers’ boys program for the past seven seasons. Chris Gellin is in his first year as the girls’ coach after he spent six seasons on Corto’s staff.
“It’s a phenomenal story for both programs,” Corto said.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the girls as well as Coach Gellin, especially having coached with Chris for the last (six) years. Working alongside him, then seeing him progress as a coach and take over the girls program and get them back to the final four is truly remarkable, and I couldn’t be happier for Chris and the entire girls program.”
Chagrin Falls’ girls team plays Rocky River in a Division II state semifinal at Oberlin at 5:15 p.m. May 30. The boys team plays Toledo Ottawa Hills in a D-II state semifinal at Oberlin at 7:30.
Corto and Gellin helped guide the Tigers’ boys team to the 2015 state championship. Gellin took over the girls program after Coach K.C. White stepped down in 2017, and the girls team is a state finalist for the fourth straight year.
“I think just because Paul and I have a long history together,” Gellin said. “He and I were on the boys staff for
so long, I have a ton of respect for him. I know most of those guys, so it’s very special.”
After Chagrin Falls finished as a state runner-up for a third straight year in the girls tournament, White stepped down due to her battle with cystic fibrosis.
Gellin became the new coach in November. His objective was to sustain the Tigers’ success.
“That’s part of the reason
I finally decided to take the job,” Gellin said. “Coach White and Coach (Elizabeth) Shaw, previously, had done such a great job. Selfishly, I didn’t want it to go to someone that didn’t understand the work that went into getting the program where it is.”
Gellin credits the leadership of the team’s seniors in its return to the state level. Gellin has leaned on veterans Catie Beg, an All-American
and Ohio State commit, and defenseman Maddie Miralia as the Tigers played a challenging schedule against D-I competition. Chagrin Falls (13-7) matched up with 19-3 Rocky River during the regular season — a 14-7 Tigers’ victory.
Corto’s boys team advanced to a state semifinal for the first time since Chagrin Falls’ 2015 D-11 state title. Four current Tigers played on that championship team as freshmen — attackers Mark McGinley and Kaden Kalinyak, midfield Aidan Stephens and defenseman Patrick Holland.
McGinley, a University of Notre Dame commit, leads the team in scoring with 53 goals and 33 assists. Kalinyak has scored 47 goals junior goalie Otto Bergmann has saved 65 percent of shots for the 16-1 Tigers.
“Each year, we want to put ourselves in a position to be playing these games late in the year,” Corto said. “Sometimes the ball bounces our way, and sometimes it hasn’t. Luckily for us in the regional finals, the ball bounced our way this time, and we feel blessed to be able to have two more games left in the year.”
The boys and girls program are each where they expect to be, but fortuitous happenings play a large role in lacrosse’ postseason.
“Everything sort of has to align,” Gellin said. “It sounds easy, but it certainly isn’t. People have to be healthy, you have to be lucky, there’s several factors, your team has to really jell at the right time. I feel really good about where we’re at right now.”