The Elusive Two Game Win Streak

By Coach Tierney

The sun has set on the most exciting season in Tri City Lacrosse history. The games were meaningful right down to the last tick of the clock as Estate Homes wrapped up 1st place by feeding the Rhinos the horn! The Rhinos are out. Other than that fact, the coach has more questions than answers as he prepares to tell you what to expect in the playoffs. Who will string together 2 wins and sip from the Rieben Cup? Lets take a look:

Champs vs. Estate Homes- This match up has the league champs playing against the leagues most consistent team. Champs attack is putting up some points of late as Kiel Adams, Dave Closinski and Dan Hoeffler have jelled as a unit. Josh Grande, Dan Matthews, John LaRock and especially Tom Arcuri are getting it done at the midfield. The Defense has been solid and Kyle Harter is playing well in the cage.

Estate is dominating the face off x with Andy Farrell doing the grunt work. Pete Colburn is scoring at will. Matt Chapple and Chris Thornhill should give Champs fits on the wings. Mike Cortese returns from Empire States hockey to join an already solid group of middies. Joe Cortese, Dave Babowicz, Tom Spinnella, Mark Murphy, Eric Reile and Bob Leary should all contribute. Scotty Carlson is the leagues best goalie and the defense is smothering the opposition.

Coaches call: Champs has had a great inaugural season but it ends Tuesday night. Estate 10 Champs 7

Tony's Pizza vs. 12 North: On more than one occasion, the coach has thought that this game was going to be for the cup. Tony's is the league's most improved team. The attack took a hit when Sean Temple broke his finger lifting weights.(The coach never lifts anything heavier than a twinkie to avoid these kinds of problems!). Jason Semo, Marc O'Shea, the Merritt brothers, and Ryan Phalen will have to step up their games to advance. The defense is solid and Johnny Sullivan has improved as a face off middie.

12 North is peaking at the right time. Brandon Davis has been tearing it up lately. Geoff Eliopolis and Doug Closinski are also racking up the points. Bob Dicks and Tim Dobs are leading a midfield group that is the heart of the team. If 12 North has an achilles heal, it's a defense that can be too generous. Long Gu is alternatly spectacular and dreadful in the net.

Coaches call: Tony's can't overcome the loss of Temple. 12 North is on a mission to take back the cup. 12 North 12 Tony's 10.

The coach was darn near teary eyed watching the Mohawk Valley youth mingle with the games greatest stars at the Rochester Rattlers game. Great work by Mark Murphy, Tim Dobs, Shannon Sullivan, and Paul Noecker ensured that those youngsters had a night to remember.

Jeff Schnieder deserves a round of applause for making the BULL East an unprecedented success. The volunteers that helped Jeff pull this off are too numerous to mention, they also are to be commended.

The games move to the big field at SUNY next week, see you there.

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