Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/5/12
The Dukes Lacrosse Club 2015 team claimed the third title of the summer for the program in Baltimore last weekend when it captured the Crabfeast National crown for the third time in six years with a 6-3 victory over the host Crabs.
Despite the hot and humid conditions, the Dukes came with a purpose to measure themselves against some of the best players in the country in their class. With 17 states and Canada represented, it showcased the best talent on the east coast.
In first game on Saturday after dodging trees on main streets and exits into Loyola Stadium’s Ridley complex, Dukes young guns beat eventual semifinalist Leading Edge 2015, 7-4. Phillip Robertson (Salem, VA) controlled pace of game at attack as the Dukes settled into rhythm of the game.
Game 2 had a local flavor with Dukes LC facing off against LB3. Both teams would provide some spectacular transition plays as Dukes LC pulled away in the end 13-6. Two-way middies Chris Friedman (Great Valley) and Aric Dupell (Gov. Mifflin) excelled in transition and stuck a couple trailer breaks. Zach Ward (Hempfield) was versatile quarterbacking at attack and through midfield.
Game 3 on Saturday was heavily attended by coaches and would be the toughest match up of the tourney for Dukes LC as it faced of against the Annapolis Hawks. Solid defense and goalie play highlighted this contest, but Dukes LC was able to get a couple of timely man-up situations and upper 90 stingers to win 4-2. Drew Supinski (Haverford School) quarterbacked the man-up and first midline to provide some solid play making abilities on both ends of the field.
Dukes LC earned the No. 1 seed in its bracket and advanced Sunday into the Top 16 playoff round. A first round game was played at the scenic Boys’ Latin campus vs Building Blocks (NJ). It was a tight affair but offense loosened up as the Dukes pulled away 6-3. Jeff Kern (Saucon Valley), Sam Lehrman (Germantown Academy), and Matt Petrick (Kennett) provided a physical defensive presence to start the playoff round.
The quarterfinal matchup pitted Dukes LC vs Team Michigan, as midfield depth and dominant faceoff X play contributed to a 8-2 win. Andrew Pettit (Tower Hill), Keith White (Methacton), and Matt Donnelly (Clearview, NJ), made some fine passes and finished when opportunities arose.
The semifinal matchup was against the historic Green Turtle program out of the MIAA conference. All three Dukes goalies, Sean McGovern (CB East), Colin Reder (Episcopal Academy) and Ryan Kern (Appoquinmink, DE) had been consistent all tourney and provided the last line of defense when needed all weekend. The Dukes offense was clicking and sparked a 7-2 victory. Damase Bagbonon (Conestoga) & John Warg (Parkland) provided a spark in transition and created some transition opportunities and timely groundballs at The LSM position.
The championship game pitted two programs that have won this tourney multi times. Dukes LC was fired up from the start and jumped out to a 4-1 lead off some excellent feeds and finishing abilities by Corey Richards (Haverford School). The Crabs had plenty of chances to keep game close with man-up opportunities, but goalie Ryan Kern (Appoquinmink, DE) stopped some point blank opportunities and the Crabs would get no closer than 5-3 in second half before an open-net goal sealed the game 6-3 for the Dukes.
Offensively, several players stepped up and were able to contribute.
Leading goal scorers
Matt Schleicher (Emmaus)-8 goals
Evan Wolf (Lower Merion)-7 goals
Grant Ament (Haverford School), Zack Drake (LaSalle), Corey Richards, Curtis Zappala (Episcopal Academy), Drew Schantz (Malvern Prep)–4 goals each
Leading Assists men
Brandon Shima (Haverford School)- 8 assists
Curtis Zappala & Grant Ament–4 assists each
Overall MVP’s–Charles Kelly (Malvern Prep), Drew Schantz
Championship MVP–Grant Ament
Offensive MVP’s–Brandon Shima, Zack Drake, Zack Hare (Springford), Curtis Zappala
Defensive MVP’s–Ryan Kern, Christian Teuber (Penn Charter), Jake Peden (Downington East), Dustin Buchanan (CB EAST), Robert Keehfus (Penn Charter)
