The 53rd annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout kicks off on Saturday
Isaiah J. Downing/Courtesy photo
The Vail Lacrosse Shootout returns for the 53rd time on Saturday. Co-director Matt Soran said there isn’t a longevity secret for the iconic tournament started by his uncle, Jim Soran, and Flip Naumburg back in 1973.
“I think if you have good staff, a good group and some loyal lacrosse fans and a beautiful area, that’s all you really need,” Matt Soran said. “The views keep the people coming back. And you know, we’re super appreciative of the town and having the good relationships with all the teams and the camaraderie and bonding over a celebration of the sport.”
The first Shootout was actually held in Aspen. Eventually, Moses Gonzales — head of Vail Recreation at the time — invited Naumburg and Soran to bring their games to Vail, where the tournament has been held ever since. The eight-day event features nine different brackets for ages ranging from high school boys and girls to 70 and up ‘Pastmasters.’
“We’re just excited to kick things off,” Soran said, adding that more than 70 teams are registered this year. He noted particular growth in the Supermaster (40 and over) division.
“(There’s) a bunch of new teams coming in from all over the country,” he said. “So that will be a really exciting division to watch.”
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Domewood — a blend of former Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins stars — is one squad Soran is excited to watch. He thinks the match against 10th Mountain Whiskey could get heated.
“I think they’re starting to develop some bitter rivalries,” Soran said with a laugh. “So I think they’ll be exciting to watch and maybe a little bit chippy.”
The Vail Lacrosse Shootout begins Saturday morning at Ford Field with pool play in the Zenmasters (60 and over) age group. The Grandmasters (50 and over) and Supermasters (40 and over) will follow in the late morning and early afternoon. Champions in all of those divisions will be crowned on Monday.
The U19 girls tournament begins June 30 at the Edwards turf. The gold division features eight teams, including one 10th Mountain Lacrosse squad. Another 10th Mountain team will play in the six-team silver bracket. Soran said there is a pretty healthy local contingent competing across several categories. A group of 10th Mountain alumni will suit up in the elite men’s tournament and some older players and 10th Mountain coaches are also competing in the masters (30 and over) tournament as well. Finally, Soran said a few local U19 boys are on the Team CO2 roster.
“A lot of 10th Mountain being represented across the board,” Soran said.
The men’s and women’s elite tournaments begin July 3 and run through the holiday weekend. Last year, Vail-native Ryan Cole led the Boogeymen to the men’s elite crown. The Boogeymen are back to defend their title in the 10-team field.
The 2024 event featured the tournament’s first-ever wheelchair game. The 3-on-3 exhibition match featured players from the Denver-based Rolling Mammoth professional squad and took place on the basketball court at Donovan Park.
“They couldn’t make it out this year,” Soran said before adding, “We’re hoping to do it again.”
For the fourth year in a row, the tournament will host a pair of Pastmasters (70 and over) games.
“They’re stubborn lacrosse fanatics, let’s just say that,” Soran commented. Roughly 25 guys will face off for an exhibition game at noon on both Saturday and Sunday at Vail Mountain School.
“It moves a little slower than the other divisions,” Soran continued. “But they still run around and get after each other.”
A full schedule can be found at VailLacrosse.com.
2025 Vail Lacrosse Shootout
- Zenmasters (age 60 and over): June 28, 29, 30
- Grandmasters (age 50 and over): June 28, 29, 30
- Supermasters (age 40 and over): June 28, 29, 30
- Pastmasters (age 70 and over): June 28, 29
- U19 HS Boys: June 30, July 1, 2
- U19 HS Girls: June 30, July 1, 2
- Elite Women: July 4, 5, 6
- Elite Men: July 3, 4, 5, 6
- Masters Men (age 30 & over): July 4, 5, 6
