July 23-24, 2011
Glastonbury, Connecticut
2003 Glastonbury Lacrosse Tournament Report
[ Back ]
Photos and article by Ron Paice:
If you didn't come by the local high school complex over the July 19/20 weekend, you missed out on two opportunities: first, the chance to benefit two charities just by having a burger and soda, and second, to see some of the best field lacrosse in the country. Director Joe Cooper and the Glastonbury Lacrosse Tournament staff must have insider meteorological information for predicting the best time to hold this event! As has been the case for several years, this annual charity competition saw fantastic weather, as 30 teams from all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania and even Colorado, descended upon the GHS complex for two days of solid, non-stop lacrosse action.
Held since the late 1980's, and now benefiting both the National Multiple Sclerosis and American Cancer Societies, the tournament is recognized as one of the largest and best in the country. With games being run simultaneously on six contiguous fields, 60 games were held in Saturday's preliminary rounds and 21 more on Sunday. Finalists in the three divisions (Green, Blue and Red) play seven games each over the course of the two-day competition. With some games played after only an hour rest, determination, stamina and conditioning play a key role in deciding the ultimate winners every year. And, what is their goal? Only a plaque and bragging rights among this lacrosse fraternity for another year! As is the case almost anywhere you go, these guys play for the pure enjoyment of their sport.
In addition to many local stars, the tournament draws top caliber players from around the country, this year from as far away as Denver, CO. The "GLT" is known as a player's tournament, with teams often formed around cores of top local and national collegiate competitors. Some come with corporate sponsors, while just as often the teams are self-funded by the members themselves. Looking across the field you could easily see the variety of top colleges represented in the helmets worn by the players.
Kudos to the seeding committee, as almost all of the games were closely fought in each division. In the elite Red Division, probably the most unlikely qualifier somehow regrouped overnight and had the biggest Sunday playoff turnaround in recent history. Team Thunder finished the preliminary rounds Saturday with a 1 - 3 record, just squeaking into the playoffs. Other perennial powerhouses AST/New Dimensions (4 - 0), Premier Lax (4 - 0), last year's champs - Team Shocker (3 - 1) and Boston Crabs (3 - 1) appeared to be the teams to beat. The Juiced Moose Red team, was also in the running along with North Shore Lacrosse, each at 2 - 2. In the championship, Thunder found themselves faced off with Premier Lax and the battle was on! After posting the worst qualifying record in the division, Team Thunder put on a great display, topping Premier Lax 9-7 to win the trophy.
Parity being the case, tie games abounded in the Blue Division qualifying round. Two local squads, Silver Sounds (3-0-1) and the Naughty Nurses of City Steam (3 - 1), along with NJ Elite (3 - 1) and the Blazin' Beavers (3 - 1) from Boston topped the prelims. One "interesting" comment from the seeding committee is that both of the ultimate finalists (Beavers and Naughty Nurses) lobbied hard for being seeded in the lower Green Division, only to find themselves on the top of the heap and in the Blue championship game against each other. (Unnamed tournament officials are considering a "Sandbagger Award" for the two, but will reserve judgment until next season.). The final found the Beavers, last year's Green champs, pulling a repeat after moving up to Blue, with an 8-2 victory over the City Steam crew.
Similar to the Blue Division, the Green teams were extremely closely matched with numerous tie games in the prelims. Perennial favorite, the Stoutmen, lead by Matt Cooper, topped the group with an identical 3-0-1 record with the A-Team, followed by Harp/New Haven at 3 - 1. ADP and a second Juiced Moose team posted 2-1-1 records as well. Cooper and the Stoutmen have the distinction of playing in 17 straight tournaments. The only team that has played in more consecutive competitions is Harp/New Haven, who, are also distinguished by having the most offspring among the current players to field new replacements for years to come. Who said you had to be in your 20's to play this game!
After some great, close games, Harp/New Haven and Juiced Moose Green ended matched up in the finals. For the first time in the long-standing history of their attendance at the games, Harp/New Haven finally took home the coveted trophy 8 - 6.
Locals populated many of the teams in the event, but Silver Sounds (pictured) had the largest core of former GHS grads in the lot. Others with Glastonbury ties, in the Red Division were Bo Lamont, Scott Hinchey, Pat and Mike Hennessey, Mike Nobile, Chris Hanbury and GHS coaches Mario Lopez and John Gormley. For the Blue, including the Silver Sounds squad were Brian Paice, Jack Hennessey, Teddy Murphy, Jack Reid, Ryan Petrowsky, Ryan Kelly, Andy Smet, Scott Magner, Dave Roland, John and Brian O'Leary, Drew Mastromonaco and Ian Franckling. Playing in the Green were Rob Peterson, Kevin McHugh, Brian Maitland, Ken and Steve Pietrasko. Our apologies if we missed anyone.
In the final analysis, all the teams were winners, but the really big winners were the charities, as all proceeds from team fees and refreshment concessions will go to the National MS and American Cancer Societies. While total receipts are still being tallied, prior years have seen up to $7,000 split between these two very worthy causes.
The Glastonbury Tournament Committee would like to extend its appreciation to a long list of parties who helped make the event a success: Avon Lions Club, BagelZ, Bucks Corner Pizza, Breakaway Sports, Brine Lacrosse, Docusource, Glastonbury Hills CC, Glastonbury Lacrosse Club, Highland Park Market, Katz Ace Hardware, Jeff Shohan at Jerry's Artorama, Lacrosse Unlimited, Monaco Ford, Quality Name Plates, Smith Brothers Insurance, T-Shirts, Etc. and Western Auto. A special thanks goes to Eastern Rehab, who provided trainers for the entire tournament, and as always, Glastonbury Parks and Recreation and Glastonbury High for the great facility to host the tournament. And a word for all the Glastonbury Youth Lacrosse players who stood in the hot sun behind the cages and chased the errant shots - you deserve awards yourselves! Hopefully, we have included all the folks that helped with this year's event. Finally, to all the unnamed volunteers (and you know who you are) who manned the tent, cooked the food, organized the referees and did a hundred other chores, our sincere thanks for all your efforts.
So, mark your calendars now for next year.
[ Back ]