Long Beach lacrosse player Corey Lovrich dies

LBHS grad remained strong during battle with colon cancer

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Corey Lovrich, a 21-year-old Long Beach resident and former high school lacrosse star who helped lead Jacksonville University’s fledgling lacrosse team to memorable wins as its captain, and is largely credited for his role in establishing the Dolphins’ reputation as formidable underdogs against top-seeded rivals, died on Thursday after a battle with colon cancer, according to teammate Jake Ziegler.

Lovrich, who played two seasons with the Dolphins, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer last year. He began months of chemotherapy and treatment last spring and, according to Jacksonville University, the cancer went into remission.

Earlier this year, he was given permission to resume athletic training, and Lovrich attended the early season Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic at EverBank Field and watched the Dolphins defeat Navy, 13-7.

In recent weeks, however, Lovrich once again became ill.

“This is a sad day and a terrible loss,’’ said former Jacksonville coach Matt Kerwick, now the associate head coach at Georgetown, who recruited Lovrich for the Dolphins.

Kerwick said he was in New York earlier this week and spoke to Lovrich two days ago. “He told me things weren’t looking great, but his spirits were high despite the terrible news from his doctor,’’ he said. “Things progressed in a bad way much quicker than anyone thought they would.’’

“He was a great leader and a great young man.’’ said Ziegler, who teamed with Lovrich at defense. “He was a great friend and brought a smile to everyone’s face. He was happy-go-lucky, a hard worker and a good kid. He never strayed from the path. He was a good kid.’’

A 2009 graduate of Long Beach High School, Lovrich, known as “C-Love,” was a varsity athlete who played soccer, basketball and lacrosse throughout his high school career. He went on to become captain of the lacrosse team and helped lead the Marines to memorable wins and earned All County honors his junior and senior years.

“He started as a freshman,” LBHS head varsity lacrosse coach Jim Kasper, who tapped Lovrich for the varsity team, told the Herald last year. “For us, he was a midfielder and we made him a defenseman. He was our number-one guy for three years. He’s a great athlete and a hard worker.”

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