Top Lax Recruits
Top Lax Recruits -
By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 7/16/17
GARNET VALLEY, Pa. – Sprinkle in a little Philly talent with a strong Long Island team and what do you get?
Today at Garnet Valley High, it meant a championship as the South Shore Baymen held off a second-half rally from the Pinnacle Aces (CA), 6-5, in the title game of the 2018 Division at the Heritage Lacrosse Patriot Games at Garnet Valley High.
The Baymen went 5-0 in the tourney and outscored their first four foes by a 34-8 count. They seized a 6-1 halftime lead against the Aces, but had to withstand three second-half man-up goals for the championship.
The Baymen got help from three Philly players from nearby Marple Newtown High. The Baymen already had face-off man Jake Huey – who won 8 of 13 face-offs in the title game – a key pickup made due to his ties with John Bodnar’s Philly Faceoff League. Bodnar played at Cabrini with Baymen coach Kevin Quinn, a two-time All-American goalie.
The Baymen also got help from Marple Newtown’s Julian Cabral (two goals in the finale) and Marlon Weathers (one assist).
“It was a good day; they have a great group of guys,” said Cabral. “They have a lot of skills and some good shooters. We played unselfish and shared the ball. When they came back we kept our composure and we got the saves when we needed them.”
Baymen goalie Thomas McCarthy (Lindenhurt High) had nine saves and some key stops in the last few minutes when the Acaes had pulled within 6-5.
“We had some slip ups, but we came together on defense and I just tried to make the saves when we needed them,” said McCarthy.
Danny Carson (Lindenhurst) also scored twice while Noah Daniels (Lindenhurst) and Justin Kim (East Islip) each scored once for the Baymen, who scored sis straight goals to seize a 6-1 halftime lead.
“We played really well as a team and shared the ball,” said Carson. “That (first half) was the best we played this weekend.”
The Aces are part of Encore Lacrosse, founded by Philly legend John Christmas in Northern California. The team consisted of mostly one player each from different high schools in the Sacramento and San Francisco/Oakland regions.
“Our team was made up of players from two Aces teams, one from Sacramento and another on the East Bay,” said co-coach and director Frank Resetarits. “Some of these guys played together on regional teams, and this was the first event for them together this year. They are basically all from different high schools, more of the non traditional high schools in the regions. There are some really good lacrosse players that people don’t know about. They came together really well and jelled.
“I think their (Baymen) faceoff guy did a great job. They outworked us. They came and got the first shot and we were on our heels in the first half.”
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