Bloodgood Ready to Soar With the Hawks

Eight years ago Dan Bloodgood was a youth football player looking for a spring sport to play to keep him in shape. Little did he know that when his coach suggested lacrosse it would change the course of his academic and athletic careers. 

Bloodgood is preparing to graduate from Freehold Township High School as one of the most prolific scorers in the Patriots history and will take his talents to nearby Monmouth University in the fall. "I started playing and I got the hang of it and got better," he said of his progression in the sport.

He may have been one of the most dangerous attackers in the Shore Conference but Bloodgood said he still has a passion for the gridiron. No matter which field he was competing on he said he will take many memories to the next level. "I liked hanging out with all my friends and just playing," he said. "When we're winning we're all happy and having a good feeling."

On the lacrosse field Bloodgood said charging into enemy territory is something he enjoys. "It's kind of tough, but I'll just do it all to win. I really don't care, it's whatever I can do to win."

His time with the Patriots may be done but Bloodgood said he is taking lots of memories with him. "We had a really good season," he said. "We're just one big family."

The family had one of its biggest celebrations in recent memories with a huge overtime win over Red Bank Catholic. "We've never beaten them before so beating them for the first time was a pretty big thing." It was a 10-9 win for Freehold Township with Bloodgood throwing in three of his team's goals. 

When he arrives at the Monmouth campus Bloodgood said he is excited that he will be close to home and have a familiar face on the squad. Former Patriot Ryan Horsch will be moving up from Brookdale reuniting the two former teammates. 

When they make the jump to the Monmouth team Bloodgood said he knows there will be more of a challenge and he is ready for it. "The pace of the game will be different and everybody's going to be good at college," he said. "That's exactly what I wanted. In high school there's different levels of play, but I wanted to pick the best level."

In the classroom Bloodgood said he plans to major in physical education with the goal of being a teacher and coach following his graduation.