Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/18/17
Dukes Elite 2020 captured the Passport Alliance/ National 175 Jersey Shore Challenge championship held last weekend at Drum Point Sports Complex in Brick, NJ.
Dukes went 6-0 on the weekend with some tough battles against Team Minnesota before toppling a tough Canadian club team, Evolve Canada, in championship game, 10-5.
Overall MVP Goalie Connor Kernan (Susquehannock HS) made big saves all weekend. Offensive MVPS Randall Brown (Shipley School), Ethan Gyllenhaal (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy), John Veit (Academy of the New Church) and Jeb Brenfleck (Academy of the New Church) played their best lacrosse so far of the summer.
Offensive counterparts Louie Baloh (Allentown Central Catholic), Jameson Smyth (Downingtown West), Jack Naughton (Shady Side Academy), Zack Jadlocki (Moon Area HS) and Will Riemenschneider (Hatboro-Horsham) contributed and helped control tempo on the offensive end.
Defensive MVPs Greg Clark (Academy of the New Church) Ricky Amorim (Academy of the New Church) and Jake Cavanaugh (Cardinal O’Hara) were consistent all weekend at close defense and jumped to LSM at times. Defensive teammates Matt McDonald (CB South) gobbled up GBs, while Liam Gill (Allentown Central Catholic) and Michael Connelly (Kentucky Country Day School) provided depth at both close defense and LSM.
Defensive midfielders Dalton O’Mara (Parkland HS) and Michael Dougherty (La Salle College HS) showed versatility all over the field and in specialty situations were clutch. Coaches Ebe Helm and Jason Christmas are proud of the teams effort and improvement as the summer season in its last upcoming weekend. Dukes Elite 2020 finishes its summer season this weekend at Terps Young Guns Shootout at College Park.