HILL ACADEMY
Lacrosse
On This Page
"The objective of Hill Lacrosse is to develop the individual both athletically as a lacrosse player and personally as a growing and maturing student-athlete." ~Brodie Merrill, Athletic Director
The Hill provides a unique and dynamic lacrosse experience by implementing a progressive development plan, combined with a lacrosse specific strength and conditioning program, and participation in high caliber game play.
Hill Lacrosse players are mentored by some of the top leaders in the game. Hill Coaches walk alongside our players through their experience at The Hill providing direction and mentorship. The ultimate goal of The Hill Lacrosse program is to help our players become well equipped for the demands of the next level.
Currently The Hill Academy has alumni attending and thriving at Canadian Universities as well as American NCAA Colleges at the Division I, II, and III levels. The Hill Academy Coaching Staff collaborates with the students, parents, teachers, and guidance department to find the best post secondary fit for every student-athlete.
Fast Facts
​
#1 Girl’s Lacrosse Program in Canada
​
#1 Boy’s Lacrosse Program in Canada
2023 National Prep Champions USA
9 High School Under Armour All Americans
Consistently ranked one of the top Boy’s and Girl’s lacrosse programs in North America
100+ NCAA Captains
45+ All Americans
2 x Geico National High School Lacrosse Champions
​
3 x Canadian Prep Lacrosse League Champions
#1 High School Boys Lacrosse Team in 2016.
25 Alumni named to Canada’s National Men’s Team
18 Alumni named to Canada’s National Women’s Team
Next Level Alumni Placement
University of Albany
Babson University
Binghampton University
Boston College
Boston University
Brown University
University of California
Canisius University
Colgate University
University of Connecticut
Cornell University
Dartmouth University
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Detroit Mercy
Drexel University
Duke University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
High Point University
Iona University
Jacksonville University
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Lehigh University
Louisville University
Marquette University
University of Maryland
U Mass Amherst
University of Michigan
Mount St. Mary's University
Navy
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Penn State University
University of Pennsylvania
Princeton University
Providence University
University of Richmond
Robert Morris University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
University of Southern California
Saint Joseph's University
St. Bonaventure
Stony Brook University
Syracuse University
Towson University
Tufts University
University of Utah
University of Villanova
University of Virginia
Yale University
Our Programs
​
Girls Varsity & Junior Varsity Lacrosse (Grades 9-PG)
The Varsity & Junior Varsity Girls Lacrosse teams are full school year long programs for girls from grades 9 through Post Graduate. The main focuses for these programs are development, competition, placement and preparation. The teams practice and play throughout the entire academic calendar and have a very competitive schedule in High School lacrosse helping our players transition to playing collegiate lacrosse or lacrosse on the world stage. Alongside our lacrosse program, our strength and conditioning team puts together optimal workout plans to holistically develop the physical aspects of our female student-athletes. The girls team participates in tournaments in the Fall and games throughout the Spring. The opportunity to explore post secondary institutions and become well versed in the recruitment process is a key piece of our program.
Junior School Development Lacrosse
(Boys Grades 7-8 - Girls Grades 7-8)
The Junior School Lacrosse Program for Grades 7-8 provides athletes with a high-level training environment focused on skill development, teamwork, and competition. Players participate in regular practices led by experienced coaches, with opportunities to compete between the boys and girls programs. This allows athletes to learn in a competitive setting, develop their skills, and build confidence while preparing for the next level of lacrosse.
Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse (Grades 9-10)
With a limited roster, our JV competitive lacrosse program gives our grade 9-10 student-athletes the chance to incorporate competitive level lacrosse training and exposure into their school days and do-away with various skills programs after school hours. Alongside our lacrosse program, our strength and conditioning team puts together extensive workout plans to develop the physical aspects for our student-athletes at the appropriate rates. The JV team participates in tournaments, games, a weekend travel schedule, and special events throughout the school year. The opportunity to explore post secondary institutions and become well versed in the recruitment process is a key piece of our program.
Boys Varsity Lacrosse (Grade 11)
With a limited roster, our Varsity competitive lacrosse program gives our grade 11 student-athletes the chance to incorporate competitive level lacrosse training and exposure into their school days and do-away with various skills programs after school hours. Alongside our lacrosse program, our strength and conditioning team puts together extensive workout plans to develop the physical aspects for our student-athletes at the appropriate rates. The Varsity team participates in tournaments, games, a weekend travel schedule, and special events throughout the school year. The opportunity to explore post secondary institutions and become well versed in the recruitment process is a key piece of our program.
Boys Prep Lacrosse (Grades 12/PG)
The Boys Prep lacrosse team has a long track record of being amongst the top Prep and High Schools in across North America. The team practices and plays throughout the entire academic calendar and has one of the most competitive schedules in Prep and High School lacrosse helping our players transition to playing collegiate lacrosse. Alongside our lacrosse program, our strength and conditioning team puts together extensive workout plans to develop the physical aspects for our student-athletes at the appropriate rates. The Prep team participates in tournaments, games, a weekend travel schedule, and special events throughout the school year. The opportunity to explore post secondary institutions and become well versed in the recruitment process is a key piece of our program.
Coaching Staff
Brodie Merrill
Athletic Director /
GM of Lacrosse
Brodie Merrill is one of the most decorated lacrosse players in the world. He has revolutionized how people treat the defensive player in both box and field, with his run and gun transitional style. Brodie, a graduate of Georgetown University, was a two-time All American, two-time Tewaaraton Award Finalist and was named the 2005 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year.
​
He has won multiple awards in his 17+ year professional career including 2005 NLL and MLL Rookie of the Year; 2005 NLL Defensive Player of the Year; 2006 through 2011 MLL Defensive Player of the Year; 2009, 2010, and 2017 NLL Transition Player of the Year; All-Star status in all 6 NLL seasons; and All-Star status in all 7 MLL seasons.
​
Brodie retired from professional lacrosse in September 2023 having most recently played for the PLL Cannons Lacrosse Club and the NLL’s San Diego Seals. Brodie has also won two Mann Cup Championships, 2 Gold and 3 Silver Medals at the World Field Lacrosse Championship, 2 Gold at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and a MLL Championship. Brodie was one of the coaches of the U19 Team Canada that brought home the Silver medal at the U19 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships, in Turku, Finland. Brodie was also the Defensive Coordinator for the 2008 U19 Team Canada that earned the Silver Medal in Coquitlam, BC and was recently the Head Coach of Team Canada's Gold Medal winning Sixes National team.
Brodie is the Director of Athletics at The Hill Academy and also serves as the Head Coach of the Prep Team, which is highly regarded as one of the top Lacrosse programs in North America.
Carly Quinn
Coach - Girls Lacrosse
Carly has an extensive resume as both a player and coach. In 2007, she was a member of the U19 Canadian National team, and represented Canada in the FIL U19 World Women’s Lacrosse Championships. From 2008-2012, Carly was a member of the Canisius College Golden Griffins Lacrosse team. Acting as captain for her last two seasons, she lead the team to a MAAC Championship in 2011 and 2012. She was named to the All MAAC First Team in 2011 and 2012, and in 2012 being named MAAC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in points and being ranked 8th nationally in assists per game.
​
Carly was a member of the 2015 U19 Team Canada coaching staff that made history winning Gold at the World Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Tory Merrill
Coach - Girls Lacrosse
Tory is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she captained both the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team and the Varsity Track and Field team. As the leader of the women’s lacrosse team she was a five-time OUA First Team All-Star, and 2005 OUA Rookie of the Year. On the Track and Field Team she was a five-time OUA All-Star, two-time CIS All-Canadian, four-time CIS medalist, and Academic All-Canadian.
​
In 2010, she was the recipient of the prestigious Clara Benson Award at the University of Toronto which awards a female student-athlete for outstanding ability in athletics, academics and values interfaculty and community involvement.
Tory was also a member of the Senior Women’s National Team. She represented Team Canada in the 2017 FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup in Guildford, England and the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, earning two silver medals. She is currently the Head Coach of the U17 Canadian National Development Team.
.jpg)
Erica Evans
Coach - Girls Lacrosse
Erica was a standout midfielder during her collegiate career with Canisius College and University of Maryland. A three-time All-American and three-time MAAC Midfielder of the Year. Ranks third in scoring at Canisius College and was their first-ever Tewaarton Award Semi-finalist.
​
Erica led the Maryland Terrapins to their 14th NCAA Championship, tying for the team lead in goals with 59.
​
As a Canadian International, Evans has represented Canada at all major competitions with great success including; 2015 FIL U-19 Women's World Lacrosse Championship (Gold), 2017 FIL World Cup (leading scorer), 2017 World Games (Silver), 2022 Women's World Lacrosse Championship (Silver) and the 2022 World Games debut of Sixes (Gold), 2024 Women’s Box World Lacrosse Championship (silver), 2025 World Games Sixes (Silver), 2026 Women’s World Lacrosse Championship (Silver). At these tournaments and championships she has been named to the World Team on multiple occasions.
As a coach, Evans led Trent University to back-to-back OUA Championships along the way.
Kameron Halsall
Coach - Girls Lacrosse
Kameron is a proud Hill Alumni, who was awarded Defensive Player of the Year twice during her tenure at The Hill.
​
Her major accolades include a Team Canada Gold Medal at the 2015 U19 World Championship (as the only goalie on the roster), the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2018, American East All Championship Team, represented Canada at competitions including the 2022 World Cup (winning a Silver Medal), and is a 2023 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee.
​
Halsall works with the girls team, as well as with all other goalies at The Hill.
Jeff Teat
Head Coach - Boys Prep
Jeff Teat is a graduate of Cornell University where he was the number one recruit in his class having played five seasons at The Hill Academy.
​
Jeff's lacrosse resume is long and impressive ranging from Tewaaraton Trophy Nominee multiple times, First Team All-American, First Team All-Ivy, MVP, Junior A First Team All-Star and the list goes on.
​
Jeff has played for Team Canada and was selected first overall in both the NLL and PLL/MLL drafts. He currently plays for the Atlas Lacrosse Club in the PLL and the Oshawa Firewolves in the NLL as well as on the Canadian World Sixes Team.
​
Jeff is excited to work with our senior players and guide them to reach their highest level of achievement.
Connor Gillis
Assistant Coach - Varsity
Connor earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education specializing in mathematics, with a minor in psychology at Bishop’s University, where he played all five years in CUFLA, and was named Academic All-Star four times.
​
Connor came to The Hill right after graduating and is currently teaching (math and physics). He also is an Assistant Coach on the Junior Varsity team.
Connor's favourite part of being at The Hill is having the privilege to teach highly motivated students in the classroom, and then continue to work with them on the field as they develop into their own type of leaders.
Graeme Hossack
Head Coach - Varsity
Graeme Hossack has quickly emerged as one of the top players in the game of lacrosse.
Graeme has competed on several national teams, he has won gold in the last 2 world indoor championships and 2 silvers in field world championships, where he earned all world honours in the tournaments.
Graeme currently plays in the National Lacrosse League for the Halifax Thunderbirds where he is a 3x NLL Defensive Player of the Year and in the MSL with the Six Nations Chiefs after completing several seasons in the PLL with the Archers Lacrosse Club and winning 2 PLL Championships with then and Defensive Player of The Year in 2021. He also holds the hardest shot record in the PLL.
​
Graeme attended Lindenwood University where he was a 3x Academic All Conference, a first team all American (first in program history), and one of the most decorated D2 players of all time.
Zack Kearney
Assistant Coach - Varsity
Zack Kearney is a four-year alumnus of The Hill Academy, attending from 2015-2019. During that time, he won two Gieco National High School Lacrosse Championships as a member of two highly ranked high school teams. In Zack’s final year at The Hill Academy, he was named captain and was awarded the Jameison Kuhlmann award at the end of the season.
He went on to play four years of college for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduating with honors as a scholar athlete. Zack currently plays with the Toronto Rock in the NLL. He aims to help elevate the next generation of student athletes at The Hill through teaching and coaching on the Junior Varsity team.
Jon Moore
Assistant Coach
Jon Moore earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Nipissing University, where he was the founder and first head coach of Nipissing University Men's Lacrosse.
After leading the Nipissing team for four years, Jon moved to Toronto where he spent five years working at independent schools before joining The Hill in 2021 as Vice Principal. Upon moving to Toronto, he also joined the coaching staff at the University of Toronto. In 2020, he was named head coach at Toronto, becoming the first head coach of two different universities in CUFLA history.
For the last two years he has coached exclusively at The Hill while finishing his Doctor of Education degree through Western University.
Dylan Watson
Assistant Coach
Dylan Watson is a two year alumnus of The Hill Academy, attending from 2016-2018. During that time he was a part of two Gieco National High School Lacrosse Championships on highly ranked high school teams. He was also selected top 5 in the Junior A Draft by the Orangeville Jr. A Northmen, won Rookie of the Year and went on to win a Minto Cup with the team in 2019.
Dylan went on to continue his student athlete career at Georgetown University, where he helped the team win 3 consecutive Big East titles and winning Big East Attackman of the Year in 2022 and graduating from the McDonough School of Business. Using his 5th year, he transferred to Jacksonville University continuing his academics earning a Masters of Business Administration.
Dylan was selected 2nd overall in the 2022 National Lacrosse League by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. He played in every game as a rookie and won the Community Development award for his work in the community growing the game. He was later traded to the San Diego Seals where he currently plays.
.jpg)
Luc Magnan
Defensive Coordinator - Boys Prep
Luc Magnan, a Hill Academy Alumni, joined The Hill teaching & coaching staff after graduating from Robert Morris University.
​
During his time at the Hill Academy, Luc helped lead the PG team to win the first ever Newport Cup. While at Robert Morris, Luc was a four year starter, was named to the 2012 North Eastern Conference All-Rookie team, was named to the 2013 North Eastern Conference All-Second team and was named team captain for his senior year.
Luc was selected 17th overall in the second round by the NLL’s Toronto Rock and is a current member of the Rochester Knighthawks.
.jpg)
Graydon Hogg
Head Coach - Varsity
Graydon is a proud member of the Hill Pride Alumni, who was a Captain, two-time GEICO National High School Lacrosse Champion, 2019 Jamieson Kuhlman award winner and recipient of the 2019 Post-Grad Award.
​
After graduating from The Hill Academy, Graydon attended the University of Albany and was a five year member of the Great Danes Lacrosse team. Graydon was a four-time America East All-Conference Team member, SUNY scholar-athlete of the year in 2023, and an Academic All-American in 2024.
​
Academically, Graydon graduated from the University of Albany with Honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
​
Graydon was selected with the 15th pick overall in the 2023 NLL Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks. He also signed with the Boston Cannons in the summer of 2024 and remains with the team.
Cam Acchione
Assistant Coach - Prep
Cam Acchione was a standout midfielder at the University of Delaware where he graduated with a Bachelor in Arts. He spent 4 years at The Hill Academy and received the Legacy Award in his senior year.
Cam was a preseason CAA All-Conference team member in 2022 and 2024 and was an All-Freshman nominee in 2021. He was a scholar athlete as well in 2021 and 2022.
He played for the Toronto Beaches Jr. A where he was a Jr. A All Star game participant and played in the first-ever Minto Cup appearance for the Toronto Beaches in 2022.
Cam was selected 39th overall in the 2024 NLL Draft by the San Diego Seals. At the Hill Academy, Cam serves as an offensive coach for the Prep team as well as camp director and assistant with the events program.
​​
Fun Fact: Cam has a twin brother, Matt.
Matt Acchione
Assistant Coach - Prep
Matt Acchione is a four-year alumnus of The Hill Academy, attending from 2016-2020. During that time, he won one Gieco National High School Lacrosse Championship as a member of a highly ranked high school team. In Matt’s final year at The Hill Academy, he was named captain and was awarded the Legacy award at the end of the season. He played for the Toronto Beaches Jr. A where he was named captain and led his team to their first-ever Minto Cup appearance.
Matt went on to play four years of college lacrosse for the University of Delaware, graduating with CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2023).
Matt was selected 16th overall in the 2024 NLL Draft by the Saskatchewan Rush. At The Hill Academy, Matt serves as an offensive coach for the Prep team as well as camp director and assistant with the events program.
​
Fun Fact: Matt has a twin brother, Cam.
Bowie Horsman
Fall Intern/Assistant Coach
A proud Hill Alumni, Bowie joined The Hill Academy as an intern/assistant coach in the fall of 2026.
​
A member the Cornell Big Red men’s lacrosse team, Horsman is originally from Brampton, Ontario, and served as team captain during his senior season at The Hill, earning the program's Pride Award, and posting19 goals and 36 assists. Alongside his high school achievements, he gained high-level junior box lacrosse experience as an assistant captain for the Brampton Excelsiors Junior A squad.
​
Standing 6'3" and majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences, Horsman worked his way through the Big Red roster over his collegiate career. After making select appearances as an underclassman—including logging his first collegiate assist against Hobart in 2024—he capped off his senior campaign in 2026 with a standout offensive stretch, recording four goals on six shots across five games, highlighted by a multi-goal performance against Hobart.
​
Horsman was selected by the San Diego Seals in the 2026 NLL Draft.
