In a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League lacrosse playoff opener Monday, host Menlo School defeated Los Altos, 10-4. The Knights (11-10) will visit top-seeded Sacred Heart Prep (13-4) on Wednesday, May 9, at 4 p.m.

The Gators reportedly will be missing two key players due to injuries, including freshman goalie Austin Appleton.

The Knights, however, are playing without head coach Todd Blumbergs, who resigned last week. Blumbergs had disciplined a Menlo player for an off-the-field incident but was told by the school's administration to hold off on his decision while the school could thoroughly review the situation.

"I was asked to overturn a disciplinary decision I made regarding one of our players," Blumbergs told the Menlo School paper, The Coat of Arms. "My options were to be on board with the administration's decision and story, or resign. These boys should never expect less from me (than standing by my values)."

Norm Colb, Head of Menlo School, said:

"While I was in the process of conducting this review, the coach independently took disciplinary action of the student. When I learned of what the coach had done, I asked him to reverse, or at least suspend, his disciplinary course of action. The coach felt that he could not honor that request and resigned his position.

"We, at Menlo, take great care to thoroughly review any kind of potential disciplinary action. The integrity of our students is always our top priority. The situation has now been resolved in a way that the school feels is appropriate."

Menlo assistant coach Nate Calhoun has taken over as head coach for the remainder of the season.

Palo Alto Online Sports

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