Vail’s Summer Shootout has come to an end and the reigning champs were dethroned, some longtime teams dominated, some newcomers surprised and as usual, the level of play was top notch.
In the end, Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear took down reigning champs Team 21 in the championship game on Sunday by a score of 11-8. ML/LW was comprised of a who’s who of college lacrosse featuring 14 college graduates from 2005-2009 including Brian Carrol, Steve Giannone, Shane Koppens and Billy Haire as well as a crop of current college stars including Chris Daniello, Tim Desko, Cooper MacDonnell and Chad Wiedmaier. ML/LW was young, fast and big and featured two excellent goalies in the form of the Madalon brothers as well as a top notch face off guy in Greg Guerenlian. ML rocked sleeveless white uniforms with pink graphics. The pink signifies the team’s dedication to funding and finding a cure for breast cancer.
Team 21 is made up a group of Cornell alums [and some friends] who pull together every summer to remember George Boiardi who wore number 21 at Cornell. Boiardi was killed when he was hit in the chest with a shot during a game and Cornell has really pulled together behind his memory. Boiardi was the consummate teammate and leader in all aspects of the word. Rocco Romero, Pierce Derkac, the Magrin brothers, Tim Deblois and to-be freshman goalie AJ Fiore provided a lot of the spark all tournament for Team 21.
Yet again Vail was easily one of the top tournaments and the summer isn’t even over. The level of play at the Elite level is incredibly high, the night life is super, the views are breathtaking and the tournament is run with the professionalism of a pro sports league. Congrats to Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear on their win!
The 2009 Vail All Tournament Team went as follows:
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