Grow the Game®

nyc psal lacrosse
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Share on whatsapp

Video: NYC High School Lacrosse Championships

I took in the New York City Public School Athletic League (PSAL) Championship games for both the boys and girls, and for both the Bowl Division and the Championship Divisions. The Championship Division is the top division, and first year teams, as well as teams that have been relegated, play in the Bowl Division. Having now been involved in it directly, I can say that it is a solid system that allows the best to play the best, but also allows for fluid movement between divisions year to year.

The first game of the day was the Girls Bowl Division championship between Brooklyn Tech and New Dorp. Brooklyn Tech took this one in convincing fashion, 8-3, and looked good doing it. Tech played team ball, and their scorers showed up. Cynthia Chu had a hat trick, while Nicole Vento and Monica Garlinska both had two goals and assist for three points apiece. Alexa Euceda made 9 big saves in net for Tech.

After the girls cleared the field, the Boys Bowl Division game got going, and it featured two first year teams in Eagle Academy for Young Men II, and the Bronx High School of Science. (Editor’s Note: Connor is a volunteer assistant for Eagle Academy) Bronx Science was 9-3 entering the game and Eagle was 12-0, but after two quarters, the score was knotted at four goals per side. Eagle used a 3-1 third quarter to create a 7-5 margin, and neither team scored a goal in the fourth quarter as both defenses and goalies were on fire.

Kernell Warner had three goals for Eagle on three shots. Victor Godette made 20 saves, some of them huge, and was named game MVP. William Erwin notched a hat trick for Bronx Science and was a threat all day on both ends of the field. We wish him luck at Colby next year! Both Eagle and Bronx Science will move up to the Championship Division next year. Watch for the coast to coast goal by Eagle longstick Chris Alacorn, it’s a beauty!

Next up, we had the Girls Championship Division game, which saw two teams from Staten Island go at it. Curtis High School and Tottenville put on a show, and while Tottenville held on for the win, Curtis mounted a furious comeback attempt. We knew this game was going to be tight after it was tied 4-4 at the half, and when it looked like Tottenville might pull away, Curtis stormed back. If the game had lasted another 5 minutes, Curtis could have won, or Tottenville could have rebuilt their lead. It was that kind of game, and was a lot of fun to watch.

Anisa Gjimishka had a hat trick and a helper for four points while Julianne Pisano got her four points all on assists. Samantha Carluselle had 2 goals and an assist, and both Jessica Castellano and Nicole Barbella had two goals apiece.

And then we got to the Boys Championship Division game where Tottenville was also playing. New Dorp was their Staten Island opponent this time, and while the game started out tight, it ended up with Tottenville taking the title in dominant fashion. New Dorp was in it early, and with a 3-2 score, many thought this one could go down to the wire. The Pirates scored a couple goals and the defense tightened up, and then it was all Tottenville. The final was a 10-2 score, and it was a crowning moment for this Tottenville team, as they finished the season with a perfect record and a New York City Championship.

Sorry I don’t have video of the Girls games. One was right before our game, and one was right after. I only got video of the Eagle – Bronx Science game because Celestin Miller volunteered to step up and give it a shot. He did a GREAT job. THANK YOU, sir!

We’ll be back with a NYC Report later this week, which will go through all Division and CIty teams, share photos from the games, and much, much more. Then it’s on to Summer Lacrosse in the Big Apple. We can’t wait!

Thanks to everyone at the PSAL, CityLax, and all of the teams out there playing lacrosse in the five boroughs. Keep it up, and if you’d like us to cover your team, just reach out to us!