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Shakerz Close Out 2012: Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase Champions

Editor’s Note: Welcome the Salt Shakerz back to LaxAllStars.com! These guys have been traveling all over the country (and world!) playing lacrosse this year, and their final destination was Vegas. In the end, it all worked out pretty nicely for the boys in pink.

greene_boys salt shakers

New York, New York – The “Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase” puts together an action packed weekend of lax with multiple divisions including: Youth, High school, College, Elite and Masters. The event takes place about 20 minutes away from the Las Vegas strip at the new state-of-the-art Charlie Kellogg and Joe Zaher Sports complex which consists of 11 lighted turf fields, a vendor village, player lounge and some great food. Additionally, the sponsored charity for 2012 was Movember, Supporting Prostate Cancer & Other Male Initiatives.

In the Shakerz third trip to Las Vegas, the team entered the 8 team Elite Division alongside a few familiar squads: LaxAllStars, Xiphos, and Twisted Steel (2011 Champs). The Shakerz roster featured a combination of new and existing players from three of the Shakerz major geographies:

New York: Jake Mendlinger, James Wiederhold, James Dwyer, Pete Sayia, Mike McPherson, Justin Korinis, Brian Esernio, Nick Piotti, Cj Greene

Baltimore: Zack Clark, Jake DeLillo, Burke Reynolds

Southern California: Brian Minkler, Dave Youngentob, Jon Greene, Tommy Freeman, Pat Jenkins, Jon
Namer, Brian Bates

Bunny go hop! Heading to their first game a few of the boys found some pink bunny hats at a nearby 7-
Eleven. The furry hats proved to be a huge help with 45-degree temperatures and high winds on the
field. They also made for some interesting photos!

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Below is a quick recap of the Shakerz game schedule that began with round robin games on Friday
afternoon.

Round Robin

Game #1, Friday 4:15 PM Shakerz defeat Swaggies

Game #2, Saturday 12:30 PM Shakerz lose to Xiphos

Game #3, Saturday 1:30 PM Shakerz defeat South Bay Lacrosse Club

Game #4 Saturday 5:15 PM Shakerz defeat Sin City Sixers

Playoffs

Game #5 Semi-Finals 11:10 AM Shakerz defeat Lacrosse All-Stars (10-9 in double overtime)

Game #6 Championship Game 1:30 PM Shakerz defeat Xiphos

The rivalry continues… The Shakerz and Xiphos have been battling each other since the 2010 Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase. The teams have also met up for the San Diego Jam by the Sea, as well as the Salt Shakerz Invitational in 2011 and 2012. The games continue to be high energy and very close. The 2012 Championship Game in Vegas proved no different. Final score 7-5. More importantly, off the field, the teams share a great camaraderie and are looking forward to future lacrosse tournaments.

xiphos lacrosse

The Shakerz had a short roster for the Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase, which required a total team effort to secure the championship. While there were a number of players who stepped up to make the tournament a huge success, there were three players who were invaluable to the team’s success. The Shakerz awarded MVP honors to one offensive and one defensive player.

MVP Offense: Jake DeLillo, Salisbury
MVP Defense: Zack Clark, Stevenson

The team also recognized “Heart & Hustle” for the player who exhibited tenacity, hustle, and the extra effort on ground balls. In close games, it’s the type of player that gets teams that all-important possession when up/down by a goal and little time left on the clock. This is an award the Shakerz announce annually at their team banquet in late June and the winner for 2012 proved himself again by winning it in Vegas!

Heart & Hustle: Brian Bates

With the win in Vegas, the Shakerz close out the 2012 tourney season with 3 Championships (Mardi Gras, Freemason and Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase). More importantly in late October the Shakerz were able to raise $4,500 and participate in their third annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in NYC.

When asked about his experience playing for the Shakerz, Brian Minkler, 08’ Loyola Marymount had the following to say: “Playing for the Shakerz has been nothing but positive for me. I am able to play competitive lacrosse with a bunch of guys who handle themselves with class on and off the field. I’m proud to be a member of the Shakerz family”. Lax often…

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For more information regarding Salt Shakerz Lacrosse, follow the Salt Shakerz via:

Website: www.laxoften.com
Facebook: facebook.com/shakerzlacrosse
Twitter: @laxoften

About the Salt Shakerz: The Salt Shakerz Lacrosse club is a post-collegiate traveling lacrosse team originating out of the New York City metro area. The Shakerz came together in the fall of 2008 when CJ Greene (Villanova University 00′) and Co. began talking about putting a competitive team together of “good guys” both on and off the field. The name ‘Salt Shakerz” is derived from the expression; ‘Pass the Salt’—or in Lax vernacular ‘keep it hot,’ ‘Spin it,’ or ‘one more’. The moniker pays homage to what the club likes to embody: unselfish and tasty play.

It goes without saying that people like to lax with guys they get along with, and that has been the goal of the team since day one. Obviously everyone wants to win, but for this group, no one player has been bigger than the team. That being said, the club still puts together a talented squad. The Salt Shakerz roster includes current and former MLL, NLL, and LXM Pro Players-all the way to college club and MCLA guys. The Shakerz rotate playing in the various tournaments based on the event and geography.