Meet the coaches!

COach Brian RuppeL

Brian Ruppel brings both elite talent and grounded leadership to the Capybara Lacrosse coaching staff. A standout goalie at the University of Maryland, Brian made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning BIG10 Freshman of the Week and BIG10 Specialist of the Week honors twice. He was named Academic All-BIG10, reflecting his dedication both on the field and in the classroom. In 2023, he stepped into the starting role and never looked back—starting the final 13 games and recording 138 saves, including a legendary three-save sequence in overtime to seal a dramatic 14–13 win over #1-ranked Virginia. Rated the No. 3 goalie nationally by Inside Lacrosse in 2022 and a two-time C. Markland Kelly Award winner, Brian’s high school accolades also include being a UA All-American and back-to-back Catonsville-Arbutus Times Male Athlete of the Year.

What sets Brian apart as a coach is not just his résumé, but his calm presence, thoughtful teaching style, and genuine passion for the game. He understands that middle school is a pivotal time—not only for skill development but for building confidence and character. Whether he’s helping a young player sharpen fundamentals or encouraging them after a tough moment, Brian brings the same focus and heart he’s shown in the NCAA’s biggest arenas. Parents can feel confident knowing their sons are learning from someone who’s been tested at the highest level, and who cares deeply about growing the next generation of players the right way.
 

Coach Zak Semere

Program Director and Head Coach

With over a decade of coaching experience across all levels of play, Coach Zak brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and player development expertise to every team he leads. A former NCAA Division II athlete at the then nationally ranked Wheeling University, Zak made an immediate impact on the field—earning ECAC honors and finishing the season with the highest face-off win percentage among all NCAA freshmen.

He later continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Alabama, earning a graduate degree in Accounting.

Currently, Coach Zak serves as a coach at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and as an assistant coach at the University of the District of Columbia (NCAA Division II), where he plays a key role in recruiting, face-off strategy, and overall player development. His coaching résumé also includes tenures with several top-tier club programs such as Supreme Nationals, Madlax, and Next Level—where he has helped develop and mentor over 100 athletes who have gone on to play at the NCAA level.

In addition to his domestic coaching efforts, Zak is spearheading the development of Ethiopia’s Olympic Lacrosse team, with the goal of competing in the 2028 Summer Games—a testament to his commitment to growing the sport on a global scale.

Beyond coaching, Zak remains actively involved in the game as a player, certified referee, and sports media contributor. His lifelong dedication to lacrosse, both on and off the field, drives his mission to not only develop high-performing athletes but to shape confident, disciplined, and resilient young men.