Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/22/10, Re-posted 5/24/10
Staff Report
They Shipley School proved to be champions both on and off the field this year.
Julius Mouser had four goals and an assist as the host Gators defeated Academy of the New Church, 12-5, Friday to repeat as the Friends Schools League boys’ lacrosse champion.
Mike Litner added three goals and one assist and Nick Sterge had a goal and three assists for the Gators (16-2). Evan Romano, along with Mouser, dominated at the face-off X and scored once. Matt Gagnier scored twice while EJ Whyte added one goal and Mac Gallagher had two assists.
Ian McGibbon enjoyed a standout game in the nets for Shipley, making 15 saves.
Shipley broke a school record for goals in a season, eclipsing the 200 goal mark (206 overall). The team had set a goal of reaching 200 tallies as part of their season-long service project to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
In this project, called “Lax for Leogane”, the team sought sponsorships from local businesses, who pledged one dollar for each goal the team scored. The project has raised more than $3,000.
The project was supported by Madame Linda Flippo, a French teacher at The Shipley School and a first responder who spent 10 days as a surgical translator immediately after the quake in January. Madame Flippo spent her time in Leogane, a community 25 kilometers west of capital Port-au-Prince, the town nearest to the epicenter of the quake. The organizer of the project has been Shipley assistant coach Travis McDonnell.
McDonnell said the project has taught the Shipley players a deeper meaning of the game of lacrosse.
“When the idea was conceived, it wasn’t to rally or motivate the team, just simply that we had the ability to help when it was needed,” he said. “It was an opportunity to take a game that we play and give it a much deeper purpose and meaning, and I believe that lacrosse should have purpose and meaning.
“After all, it was created as a war game to settle territorial disputes between Indian tribes. Lacrosse has always been about more than just gamesmanship, and it was wonderful to be able to give our games and season a deeper meaning and to do some peaceful good – the way the sport was intended.””Madame Flippo came and spoke to the team pre-game yesterday and inspired the boys with stories of where our funds raised would go and who would be helped in the devastated country of Haiti,” said Shipley coach Mark Duncan. “I am proud of the work Coach McDonnell in organizing this great ambitious challenge to our team.
“The team rallied around the cause and we delivered more than ever expected or hoped for. It is great to win another championship while helping those far away who are not as privileged and lucky as us here in the United States.”
The Gators were named the United Sports Team of the Week by Phillylacrosse.com for their efforts. Click here to read more.
Shhipley team stats
Junior Julius Mouser led the team with 48 goals and 27 assists for 75 pts.
Sophomore goalie Ian McGibbon posted an impressive .727 save %
Defensive records
· Fewest goals allowed in a season (59)
· Lowest goals against average for a season (3.28 gpg)
· Second fewest FSL goals allowed in school history (17 overall in 7 games…last year is the record at 15)
· Most shutouts in a season (3)
Offensive records:
· Most goals in a season (206)
· Highest goals per game average (11.44)
· Most goals in FSL play (95)
· Highest goals per game average in conference play (13.57)
