Some athletes play lacrosse for the thrill of competition. Others do it because of their lifelong association with the sport. Still more compete for reasons that aren’t quite their own.

That’s Trevor Howard. The midfielder from Phoenix, Ariz., finished his senior year at Brophy College Preparatory in the spring and plans to continue playing at the University of Texas this fall. In the meantime, he is playing on a club team dedicated to his coach’s son, Brady Wein, who is currently battling Leukemia.

The team, called the Brady Bunch, competed over the weekend in the Adrenaline Boy’s Elite Shootout in Sonoma, Calif., against some of the best competition on the West Coast.

The Brady Bunch put in a stellar effort despite falling to the San Diego Tropics in the championship game, 7-4. Prior to the finals, the Brady Bunch was 4-0 in the tournament.

“This was the closing of a long and fun high school career but it just is a bummer to go out on a sour note,” said Howard.

You see, Howard has a bitter taste in his mouth after losing three straight championships. In his last with Brophy Prep, Howard’s Broncos fell to rival Chaparral in the 2009 state finals, missing out on their third straight title after winning it all in 2007 and 2008. The tall, versatile middie scored two goals and had an assist in that loss. Before that, Howard’s club team lost in the final round of the Adrenaline Shootout in January.

But Howard isn’t unfamiliar with adversity; in fact, he thrives on it. Howard’s most treasured high school memory comes not in victory but defeat. During Howard’s junior year, Brophy traveled to play famed Boy’s Latin on Homewood Field in Baltimore.

The Broncos had already defeated New Jersey powerhouse Lawrenceville and were ready to compete with one of the most storied programs in America: Boy’s Latin. Just a few minutes into the game, Howard found himself near the top of the box. While he said he knew the pressure was on, Howard executed a cool alley dodge down the side and rung home his first shot to give the boys from the West Coast a lead over the class of the MIAA.

“We lost the game… 15-3. It was a bummer but the first 10 minutes of the game were incredible,” Howard said.

And while Howard isn’t disappointed with his performance at the Sonoma tournament, he is definitely optimistic about the autumn, where he will get a chance to redeem himself in championship games as the Longhorns look to defend their Lone Star Alliance title.

“Coach Fink came up to me after the loss [to the San Diego Tropics] and said, ‘Don't worry about it... We are now going to win a national championship.’ I will do everything in my power to see that it becomes a reality."

"I am thrilled for Trevor to join the squad and become a Longhorn," head coach Noah Fink said of Howard. "He has all the tools to contribute immediately. He has the size, speed and skill to be an impact player right from the start. More importantly, I know that Trevor has the character to be a leader. He has been exposed to a side of life that shows you how to care about the bigger picture."