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Summer Tournament Series: Vail Shoot-out Recap

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.

Find out more about Lacrossewear hereThe action was fast and furious pretty much all weekend although the games were interrupted from time to time by rain showers and some lightning.  All of the games were played though and some teams worth mentioning are Jammin’ Salmon who finished up in 3rd place at 3-1.  the Salmon puts together a solid team year in and year out and always have some pretty amazing jerseys from Lacrossewear.  Last Call was made up of mostly Canadians including Steven Keough.  Last Call lost to the Salmon in the 3rd/4th place game and finished up at 2-2.  Brine Elite did very well losing to the eventual champions 11-7 and finishing up at 3-1 and in Fifth place.  Not bad for a team that has never advanced from the play-in bracket before.  Olympic Club went 3-1 and looked good but lost BIG in their only real test.  Dunn Financial went 2-2 with their sweet raiders jerseys.  They are playing LaxZone Miami in the linked photo. LZone had some Tony Montana themed shorts and jerseys and looked pretty good but didn’t fit in the with mountainous terrain.  The Vendetta’s didn’t have a great tourney win-wise but partied harder than most from what I hear.  Team Guttman did ok as the Middlebury grads came together to honor Pete Kohn.  If you don’t know who Pete Kohn is, you NEED to watch this: Peter Kohn, Keeper of the Kohn.

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