Championship: Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear – 11, Team 21 – 8
In a battle of #1 and #2 Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear took down defending champion Team 21 to earn their first Vail Shootout championship. Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear gained the lead on a two point goal from All-Tournament midfielder Jake Plonket (Syracuse) late in the first quarter and never trailed again.
The staunch defensive effort of Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear held the balanced Big Red offense at bay. All Tournament long poles Tim Shaw (Virginia), Billy Haire (Bucknell), and Tom Izard (Bucknell) hounded the 21 offense all game. All three were essential in keeping 21 off the board for a stretch that started at the end of the first quarter and ended when Team 21 was able to get on with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear used their size and speed to dominate the possession game. They scooped up 43 ground balls and won 18 face offs, in contrast Team 21 got 19 ground balls and 4 draws. The game was extremely well played by both teams as there were only two thirty second penalties in the entire game. Read the full story here.
Vail All Tournament Team
Attack:
Alex Capretta – Olympic Club
Kip Dooley – Lacrossewear’s Jammin’ Salmon
Pete Carrol – Last Call
Tim Desko – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Midfield:
Jake Plonket – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Rocco Romero – Team 21
Adam Goodwin – Club All Stars
Steve Giannone – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Face-Off:
Greg Guerenlian – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Long Stick Middie:
Tim Shaw – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Defense:
Paul Starwick – Lacrossewear’s Jammin’ Salmon
Billy Haire – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Tom Izard – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Tim Deblois – Team 21
Goalie:
Billy Olin – Last Call
Tournament Awards:
Offensive MVP: Steve Giannone – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Defensive MVP: Chris Madalon – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Coach of the Year: Paul Landaiche – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Earl Bill Staff Award: Sean Byrne and Julie Sutherland
source: http://www.vaillacrosse.com/2009/mens/elite/
