Today Outside the Boxscore brings you something a little outside the general area of BallHype related blogs. Most Lacrosse stuff seems to only get reported on ESPN2 and without fanfare, so I thought I'd give it a little write up since I went to the games today and will be at the D1, 2, and 3 championship games tomorrow and Monday.
Today's games were not what you'd call close. Syracuse spanked Duke after a close first quarter and a half 17-7 in the first game, and then Cornell manhandled top seeded Virginia 15-6 in the night (later day?) cap. So were the games interesting from a tension standpoint? No. But were they fun to watch? Oh hell yes. Here's my thoughts:
Names of the Games (Gotta give the Great Name Hall of Fame some kudos here): I thought that Cuse's Pat Perritt and Duke's Parker McKee were awesome names from Game 1. But Game 2 really took the cake on this one, as Virginia's Steele Stanwick and Cornell's Rocco Romero apparently took a time machine from their 1970's Buddy Cop Movie name roots to play in the game. Not only did they play, but they also played well (2 goals a piece), proving that you can have an awesome name and some talent (sorry Earthwind Moreland).
Player(s) of the Game(s): For the Cuse/Duke game, it's a toss up. I really loved the inspired goaltending of Cuse Goalie Joey John Galloway, but I think I have to give the award to Cuse Attackman Kenny Mims Nims. 4 goals on 4 shots with an assist and 2 groundballs added in is pretty impressive.
As for the Cornell/Virginia game, my pick is 100% Cornell goaltender Jake Myers. Only 8 saves versus 6 goals allowed, but he had some amazing saves among those eight. These included a point blank rejection late in the first half after the ref blew the whistle/started the play unexpectedly, as well as an amazing rejection near the start of the third quarter. Cornell was playing great anyways, but Myers made sure Virginia never got back in it, and you have to love that.
Shot(s) of the Game(s): In game one, the second Cuse goal was scored by long pole defender Joel White. He faked like he was going to pass it up to someone who played offense for a living and then fired a shot at the cage, scoring a huge goal.
As for game two, I actually was most impressed by a goal by Virginia's Steele Stanwick. He came out from behind X, faked a pass across the crease, and then tucked the ball inside the close side bottom post of the goal. Jake Myers had a read on it and almost got to it, but the shot was executed to perfection, and so it became one of the few goals Myers gave up all day.
Fan of the Games: The Cuse fan in the middle of this picture, whose shirt read "Real Moms Wear Orange" (though to be honest there was a very intense Cornell fan in a straw hat, bright red corduroys, and a nifty belt that was better, I just didn't get his picture). --->
I had a lot of fun at the games today. Tomorrow are the D2 and D3 finals, and I'll try to post a little something about them when I get back from Gilette Stadium.
FIELD TRIP! - D1 College Lacrosse Semifinals at Gillette Stadium
