University of Hartford lacrosse standout goalie Scott Bement was named America East Rookie of the Year in 2009. One of three major awards the conference hands out each year.

Bement, a freshman goal tender, was a bright spot for Hartford this season leading the league and ranking 13th in the country in save percentage (0.57). Bement, who was also second in America East with a 9.76 goals against margin

Bement had his breakout game in a late season 10-8 upset over No. 6 UMBC on April 18. In that contest, Bement made a career high 19 saves, including 11 in the second half, to hold the nation’s fifth-best offense to four goals under their average.

Bement was tabbed Inside Lacrosse National Player of the Week for his efforts.

Scott Bement is back and has also been named to the America East Coaches’ Preseason All-Conference team as released by Inside Lacrosse on Monday afternoon.

Hartford goalie Scott Bement named to the America East Coaches Preseason All Conference team by Inside Lacrosse on Monday

#24 Scott Bement
Position: Goalie
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua

As a Freshman (2009): Named America East Rookie of the Year, the first Hartford player to earn the honor since 2003.

Also named to the America East All-Conference Second Team and the All-Rookie Team … played in 10 games while making nine starts … recorded a save percentage (.577) that led the conference and ranked 13th nationally.

Also led the America East in saves per game (12.7) and ranked second among starting goalies in goals-against average (9.76) … recorded 10 saves in his first career victory against Presbyterian and followed that effort with a career-high 19 saves in the upset over sixth-ranked UMBC.

For that effort Scott Bement was named:
America East Player of the Week
The Turfer/NEILA Player of the Week
LAXnews College Beat Player of the Week
And Nike/Inside Lacrosse Player of the Week (April 20).
Bement finished the season ranked 21st in the Inside Lacrosse freshman rankings.

A four-year letter winner for the Canandaigua Lacrosse team at Canandaigua Academy … as a senior captain, led his team to a 22-1 record, a Section V championship and a ranking of 11th in the nation by Inside Lacrosse … named a US Lacrosse All-American, Section V Defensive Player of the Year, All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year and Daily Messenger Player of the Year … also a standout athlete in football and basketball.

The sophomore goaltender was the Daily Messenger Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2008 after his senior season at Canandaigua Academy.

Also on the University of Hartford lacrosse team are Canandaigua Lacrosse stand outs Austin Rogers and Ben Knapton.

As a Freshman in Austin Rogers played in eight games highlighted by a pair of assists against Stony Brook

#9 Austin Rogers
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua

As a Freshman (2009): Played in eight games, all off the bench … scored one goal and added four assists for five points … scored his first career goal at Vermont … recorded a pair of assists against Stony Brook … picked up one ground ball and forced one turnover an America East Academic Honor Roll selection.

Played both lacrosse and football at Canandaigua High School … a two-time Finger Lakes All-League selection in lacrosse and was named to the Section V All-Tournament Team as a senior … also a two-time all-league pick in football who led his team to a Section V championship in 2007.

Ben Knapton, one of five players to start and play all 13 games, chosen as an America East Commissione’s Honor Roll selection in 2009

#6 Ben Knapton
Position: Long Stick Midfield
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua

As a Freshman (2009): One of five players to start and play all 13 games … scooped up 24 ground balls and forced 15 turnovers … had four ground balls against both Harvard and Holy Cross … an America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection.

A three-year starter and three-time all-league selection at Canandaigua Academy … named team captain as a senior and was selected to the Section V All-Tournament Team … invited to the National Senior Showcase Tournament in Chicago … also a three-time all-league selection in swimming and a second team pick in soccer.

The Hawks were only 2-11 last season but lost eight games by two goals or less.
They open their 2010 season on Feb. 20 at UMass.

Team Rochester, winner of the Adidas National All Star championship tournament represents the USA in the annual Brogden Cup international lacrosse championship.

Team USA Wins The Brogden Cup North American Lacrosse Championship (click the pic for full size)

Orlando, Florida, January 10,2010
Coming in off a two hour plane trip to Orlando Florida, one would think that the sunshine state is going to hold up to it’s reputation: sunny, warm, and everything Disney. Well the forecast for the Orlando area was just the opposite of what someone could expect. While temperatures did not reach the all-time record low of 19 degrees in Orlando (January 1985), it did however dip down into the bitter, low twenties. No matter how harsh the weather, it was nothing that these two groups of guys couldn’t handle in competition for the 2010 Adidas Brogden Cup.

The Brogden Cup dates back a generation and has seen such greats as the Dave Pietramala, Gary and Paul Gait, Sid Smith, and Tom Marechek just to name a couple.

This year’s match up, like last year was determined by the annual Adidas National Lacrosse Classic which hosted 20 different teams and about 500 top high school lacrosse players from across the nation. From Southern Cali to New England and everything in between, these teams were all fighting for the privilege to represent the U.S. in competition for the Brogden Cup. This year, like last, the privilege goes to a group of young guys from Rochester, New York and they were set to compete against a scrappy bunch of U-19ers from Ontario, Canada. Canada’s team is selected annually through the Ontario Junior Men’s Lacrosse League (OJMLL) which holds their own selection process from the 22 different teams that they facilitate. A couple of the OJMLL alumni include all time NCAA Division 1 goals leader Zach Greer and Adidas own John Grant Jr.

Team USA Celebrates Brogden Cup Lacrosse Championship Win (click the pic for full size)

The events got underway Friday, January 8th with a conjoined team dinner at the housing facilities, followed by a trip to the first ever Indoor Lacrosse game in Orlando. The forty-two players were introduced and honored at halftime for their progress on making it to the Cup. Although the two teams had a great time at the Orlando Titans match, who has recently moved from New York City (see John Jiloty’s report on the game), they knew that they had a tough task ahead of them.

Syracuse bound super middy Hakeem Lecky scores

The day got off to a sluggish start as the weather was an unusual slick mix of sleet, hail, and rain. Rochester is looking to avenge the U.S. as they have lost the past three years in a row to the dominant Canadian squads. The game started out relatively slow in the first quarter. The sole first quarter score was posted by a Syracuse commit, Hakeem Lecky who dodged through the Ontario defense and stuck one off hip on the Canadian keeper. The second quarter held a lot more action as the Rochester team took a marginal lead with some great team play in between the lines. However Team Ontario would find their footing in the second quarter to cut the lead to 6-5 Rochester going into the half.

The second half would not fair so well for Ontario as some superb stops from the 6’2 and 220 pound Tyler White of Rochester held the Canadian sharpshooters to just 5 goals in the second half. White would finish with 17 stops on just 26 shots. White said that his size defiantly helped him out, especially with some of the point blank shots he saw. Ryan Yunker of Rochester would lead all scorers in the first game with 3 goals and 2 assists.

Bryant recruit Ryan Yunker Team Rochester led all scorers in the first game with 3 goals and 2 assists

The second game got off to a similar start, the only change being that it was Ontario that was hitting the net. The big stories in this game were the incredible goalie play of Alex Boque who faced a barrage of shots from the Rochester offense and was able to make 20 saves throughout the second mach. While Alex was taking care of business on the defensive end for Ontario, Virginia commit Mark Cockerton was getting busy on the other end of the field as he lead his team with 5 goals in the 14-8 victory over the team from the “Roc”. Reilly O’Connor and Nathan White each had a hat trick in the second meeting which sent the series into a rubber match which was played the following morning to determine the winner of the 2010 cup.

Hofstra bound Torin Varn tallys 3 goals in the second game of the Brogden Cup

Deven Alves and Hofstra bound Torin Varn each posted 3 goals for Rochester in the second outing.

The following Sunday morning both teams would face the “all or nothing” game three of the series after the two teams split the first two games. As seen in the first two match-ups, face-offs were key to getting points on the board and just as he did in the first game,

Brogden Cup tournament MVP Kenny Tomeno

Kenny Tomeno, handled the “X” extraordinarily. The soon to be Red Fox at Marist College accumulated over 40 successful draws over the three game period and 17 ground balls as well as 3 goals to boot. Rochester took the lead in the first quarter and never looked back. The second quarter was an outstanding one for the Rochester offense as they posted 7 goals to go up 10-3 at half.

By the end of the third quarter the score appeared similar to that of the second game in last year’s series which also had Rochester up going into the last quarter however as the final whistle sounded it was the Roc that would fall as Ontario notched a game winner with 6 seconds remaining. Rochester was determined to stay away from any déjà vu this year though. They kept their lead into the forth and set it on cruise control behind the excellent goaltending by Tyler White and his army of, what seemed to be impenetrable defenders. White would only see 28 shots and managed to get his stick on 21 of them allowing only 7 goals for the Canadian natives.

The final of the rubber match was 14-7 as Team Rochester doubled up on Team Ontario for the victory and the rights to this year’s Adidas Brogden Cup. Kenny Tomeno was accredited with the Rochester team MVP for his efforts in ball possession and overall scrap and on the other end Ontario’s Alex Boque was given team MVP for his stellar play between the pipes. Boque’s 20 saves in the second game as well as a crushing body check to stop a one on one opportunity and his effort in the final match sealed up his award.

UMBC bound attackman Deven Alves leads Team Rochester in scoring in the Brogden Cup

Deven Alves led the Rochester team in total points with 11 (8 goals, 4 assists) while Hakeem Lecky and Ryan Yunker each posted 7 points.

Jack Hinderland achieved 6 points (5 goals, 1 assist) as Torin Varn tossed in 6 goals. Mark Cockerton led Ontario with 9 points (8 goals, 1 assist) including his 5 goal effort in game two and Nathan White had a total of 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists). David Lintner contributed to Ontario’s efforts with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and Reilly O’Connor tacked on 6 goals of his own. In addition to the honor of being the winners of the 2010 Brogden Cup and the Brogden Cup medals, each Rochester team member each received G awards on behalf of Gatorade and Ontario received this year’s runner-up Brogden Cup medals.

Navy bound attackman Jack Hinderland was outstanding in the Brogden Cup

Bigtime props to Adidas Lacrosse, Level 2 Sports and Gatorade for putting on yet another great Lacrosse event in the annual Brogden Cup and we look forward to the talent that this year’s Adidas National Lacrosse Classic will bring to Maryland. For more information on the Brogden Cup or the ANLC stop by their website at AdidasNationalLacrosseClassic.com

The college ranks will be reaping the rewards of 16 Canandaigua Academy student-athletes converging on their campuses in a few months.

7 Canandaigua Lacroose Players Sign National Letters Of Intent For Division 1 Lacrosse

Depending on the relationship, 16 could be a pretty big number. When it represents the number of student-athletes from one senior class at one school going on to NCAA Division I collegiate programs, the number is downright huge.

Wednesday afternoon, Canandaigua Academy athletic director Jim Simmons and his staff trotted out 16 seniors who are going onto 13 different Division I colleges spread out all over the United States. All 16 were present to sign letters-of-intent.

“This is an exciting time not only for all of these student-athletes you see in front of you but for us and their parents,” Simmons said in front of a packed large meeting room at the Academy.

“I want to say how proud I am of not only what kind of athletic ability that they have but also about the kind of role models they are in this building and the things they do academically. We are very, very proud of these student-athletes.”

The list of signees, their sports and schools, looks like this:

Boys lacrosse
Tom LaCrosse, Penn State; Nick King, Penn State; Deven Alves, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Adam Finger, Hartford; Gannon Osborn, Marist; Brandon Thomas, Mercyhurst; Kyle Stanney, Mercyhurst.

Girls lacrosse
Haley Marafioti, Duquesne; Taylor D’Amore, Johns Hopkins; Abbey Friend, North Carolina; Bailey Knapton, Marist; Stacy Wade, Robert Morris.

Girls volleyball
Lindsey Hanggi, Canisius

Baseball
Justin D’Amato, Niagara; Cass Roberts, St. Bonaventure

Boys swimming
Will Brophy, Harvard

Lacrosse star Osborn, who also quarterbacked the CA football team this fall, pointed out how hard work can pay off.

Allstar Middy Gannon Osborn Signs National Letter Of Intent For Marist

“The number of people here is just a testament to what athletics and academics at our school means to all of us,” he said. “We have a lot of student-athletes that work hard to improve themselves in any way, every day that they can. At an event like this you really get to see how all that hard work has paid off for so many. Anything can happen if you just put your mind to it and work hard.”

Gannon, heading to Poughkeepsie, and D’Amore, who will be going to Baltimore, are both — sort of — looking to get out on their own.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Osborn said with a grin. “It should be a lot of fun. When I was looking at schools one of the things that I wanted to do was to stay close enough to home where I could still go home if I needed to but yet be far enough away where my parents won’t just drop by from time to time.”

So it was Wednesday afternoon. A packed house full of 16 sets of athletes and their parents, coaching staff, administrators and media gathering to witness something that hasn’t been seen before in the Finger Lakes.

Canandaigua Defeats Niskayuna For NY State Championship!

Canandaigua Finishes Season Ranked 1st In NY……7th In The Nation

Canandaigua Lacrosse Wins Class "B" State Championship!!

All season long when anybody talked about the Canandaigua boys lacrosse team, one word always cropped up in the conversation. That word is “depth”
The Braves depth was just too much for undefeated Niskayuna

Canandaigua Lacrosse 2009 Class "B" State Championship!!

Coach Ed Mulheron’s varsity team is deep, which is a big reason why the Braves laid claim to the Class B state title Saturday, the first in school history.

But if you really want to define the depth of CA lacrosse, you need to take a look at the young kids hanging out with the team as water boys and ball boys.

No team has more youngsters running around attending to the varsity team’s needs than CA.

CA lacrosse grad Connor Henderson, who now suits up for St. John Fisher College after having been an integral part of last year’s state semifinal team, sees a big connection.

“The history of this programis great,” Henderson said, reveling in his alma mater’s win Saturday night in Rochester.

“Take a look at all these young kids running around with the red-and-white Canandaigua jerseys on. They are all cheering for the team. They are as excited about this as the rest of us and seeing this, one day they will want to be out here doing the same thing their senior year.

#29 Defenseman Matt Smith Delivers An Absolutely Dominating Performance In 2009 Season

They are going to remember this when it becomes their turn to play varsity CA lacrosse.

” Those kids define the program’s depth.

The current group of state champion Braves were once like them, hanging around watching, learning the game and dreaming that one day theymight win it all. That’s how CA lacrosse has come to work through the years.

Dean Smith, (on right) father of CA senior defenseman Matt Smith, was one of those helping the program in his son’s early days. “I started helping coach these kids since they were young,” he said. “So this is amazing. People that don’t know Canandaigua lacrosse don’t realize that this is a deep program here.

We have been building on this for years. It’s a culmination of a lot of effort and a lot of fun. Mostly a lot of fun.” Brian Burley, defenseman Evan Burley’s dad, said that watching those youngsters in the red-and white this year brought back memories.

“I think all the parents probably have the same feelings that I do,” he said while proudly wearing his son’s brand new state championship medal. “As soon as you see a couple of those young kids on the field like they were today your mind automatically goes back to, ‘That was my boy, how ever many years ago.’ “And I think this is what has made Canandaigua lacrosse the team that it is.
They play together so well because they grew up together. These kids know each other. Formy son, it’s the last game of his high school career and for it to end like this, after all these years, is special.” Senior defenseman Sean Regan used another word- dedication.

Canandaigua Lacrosse Loves The Tangarines: Big Red, Outlaw & Nate

“We have been playing together since the third-or fourth-grade,” he said, clutching the state championship trophy. “We have always played together. It’s always been that way. All the effort that we put in.

Everything that has happened this year is really special. It’s, for a lot of us, our senior year. To spend all the time that we have spent together since we were kids and end it with this state title shows how dedicated we all have been since we were kids.

This is what the dedication that we have showed over the years has gotten us.” Mulheron was asked about the program’s depth.

“J. J. (John Johnson, former CA and current Fisher head lacrosse coach and the dad ofMarshall Johnson) laid the groundwork here and I have been fortunate to have picked up where he left off,” Mulheron said. “A great programwith great kids.

“Twelve or 13 years ago my son was one of the youth players and we started Canandaigua youth lacrosse with a group of other guys, Randy Groot in particular,” Mulheron continued.

“And then a group of seven or eight other guys that were committed to youth lacrosse got involved and I think today is a culmination of those efforts by all those people that were much greater thanmine with this staff. It starts with those kindergarten, first-, second-and third grade kids. We build a program where those little kids become part of it and I’mso fortunate to be the head guy of that.” For his part, John Johnson wanted to make sure people knew who got the teamto this point.

“I told Eddie after the game that I am so proud of him and what he has done,” Johnson said. “He’s spent his time in this sport. He was my assistant for 22 years. We all started to build the youth program up as it’s come along to what it is now. All these kids have been a part of that.

Marshall was in the kindergarten and first-grade and he was playing with the third-and fourth-graders.

Brian Scheetz the same thing.

“But make no mistake. I was part of the program for quite a while, but this is Eddie’s team.” Then, as a proud dad would, he talked about his son, once again pointing out the depth of CA lacrosse.

Canandaigua Attackman Deven Alves With Braves Lacrosse Fan Paige O'Neil

“I can’t even tell you how proud I am of my son. He needs little motivation, and he has worked so hard in the weight room since he was in the eighth-grade. Shooting, going to camps, faceoff camps and the like. It was all there for all of the kids and they have all done a great job over the years. For Canandaigua this is great.

This is the epitome of state lacrosse,” Johnson concludes. “These guys have won a state championship. They have done a great job. They are extremely well-coached and they are really good players. I think this is just great.”

Canandaigua Lacrosse Slide Show

Braves Ranked #1 in New York State After Defeating Jamesville Dewitt 12-6

Canandaigua had difficultly starting, but after scoring four goals in each of the final three quarters the Braves defeated Jamesville-DeWitt 12-6 to move on to the Class B State Finals.

This is the first time that Canandaigua had made the State finals. Jamesville-DeWitt was held to one goal in each of the first three quarters and added three in the final quarter.

Marshall Johnson was the key to the Braves’ success. Johnson finished 17 of 19 at the face-off (89.5%) with 16 ground balls. His individual effort was key for the Braves in setting the pace of the game. In addition he also added one goal.

Canandaigua Senior Face Off Specialist Marshall Johnson

The first quarter almost appeared to be a different game then the rest of the contest. In the first quarter J-D scored the only goal with Jake Bratek scoring with a straight drive down the center during a fast-break. Gordon Gehring, of J-D, was phenomenal in the cage, making 7 saves in the opening quarter and holding the Braves scoreless.

He ended the game with 14 saves (54%).  Shooting was a serious problem for the Red Rams; Canandaigua finished the game with over twice the number of shots as JD (40-19). Gehring faced 26 shots on cage from the Braves.

In the second quarter the Braves began the onslaught, scoring the first three goals of the quarter with unassisted goals from Tom LaCrosse, Johnson and Deven Alves. Canandaigua had 11 of their 12 goals unassisted with Brian Scheetz having the only assist.

Junior Middy Tommy Lacrosse Scores As Canandaigua Defeats Jamesville Dewitt

Key to their scoring success was the position from which the Braves started their drives. As the second quarter began, the Braves began to attack the cage from behind and the results were positive.

J-D’s second goal was scored when Colin Short came down on a fast-break and hit Mac Keehfus at 0:16 remaining in the half. 0:16 was more than enough time for Johnson on the face-off; after picking up his own ground ball, Johnson passed the ball up to Bryan Peck on the crease. Peck dodged the defenseman and put the ball in the back of the net 10 seconds after the face-off. The score was 4-2 at halftime.

Canandaigua continued throughout the third and fourth quarters amassing an 11-3 lead before J-D came back scoring three of the last four goals in the final quarter. With 3:54 remaining, J-D scored three more goals including a goal with 0:01 remaining on the clock. Jeffrey Sciera scored the final goal on a fast-break with the assist from Short. Short led the Red Rams with 3 assists.

Canandaigua Lacrosse Coach Ed Mulheron Celebtaes Victory Over Jamesvill Dewitt In State Semi Finals

Nick King, who celebrated his birthday today, played the majority of the game for the Braves, making 5 saves and 5 goals against. Anthony DeLeo played the final minute with only a goal against. Parker Weeks took the final two face-offs for the Braves going 1-1.

Canandaigua moves on to face the Niskayuna (Section Two) in Saturday’s State Finals. Niskayuna defeated Sayville 15-8 in the Eastern Championship match today.

Scoring for Canandaigua were Tom LaCrosse (3g), Brian Scheetz (2g-1a), Tanner Scharr (2g), Deven Alves (2g), Bryan Peck (2g) and Marshall Johnson (1g).

Canandaigua Lacrosse Slide Show

Canandaigua Lacrosse, It’s A Family Thing…

Left to Right: Coach Scheetz, Mrs. Johnson, Brian Scheetz, Coach Johnson, Marshall Johnson

Mission Accomplished…..Canandaigua Demolishes Hamburg.
Next Up, Jamesville Dewitt In The NY State Lacrosse Semi Finals…..

Canandaigua Defeats Hamburg And Advances To The State Semi Finals To Play Jamesville Dewitt

The goal of any team is to be playing its best at the end of the season.
Mission accomplished for the Canandaigua boys lacrosse team.

The Braves dominated in every conceivable way Tuesday night at St. John Fisher College’s Growney Stadium and rolled to a 17-3 win over Hamburg in the state Class B Western Regionals.

CA brought its usual depth and smothering defense and also showed it can score at will in almost any way possible.

Brian Scheetz perhaps summed things up best when he said: “The defense played great. The middies were crazy all game long, all over the field. They won most of the ground balls, and that is how we need to play to be successful. Our offense was clicking on all cylinders. Everyone is playing well and we are peaking at the right time.”

Scheetz and Marshall Johnson scored four times each to lead the Braves, who scored a number of goals in their usual high-octane way — off nifty back-of-the net passes followed by rifled bounce shots along with a couple of nice mid-distance rippers.

But Tuesday the Braves also proved that they can be scrappers, too, scoring several goals after fiercely digging out loose balls.

A couple of times, it looked more like hockey as two goals were scored on what virtually were slap shots — loose balls on the ground that were slapped home by John Klein and Deven Alves.

Canandaigua Senior Midfielder Marshall Johnson

One of the game’s more dramatic goals was a perfect example of CA’s scrappiness. After a turnover on the offensive end, junior midfielder Tom LaCrosse hustled across the field and went high to intercept a Bulldog pass. He whirled and streaked straight back down the middle, going in alone on Hamburg goalie James Maxwell and firing a shot at Maxwell’s feet that he had no chance of stopping. That score came at the eight-minute mark of the third quarter and gave CA an 11-3 lead. It served to punctuate the futility facing the Bulldogs.

Canandaigua, 20-2 and ranked No. 4 in the state in Class B, felt out the No. 7-ranked Bulldogs for a quarter before exploding. It was 2-2 after one period before the Braves’ defense settled into lockdown mode. With 3:51 left in the half and trailing 5-2, Hamburg long-sticker Shawn Needham snuck in behind the defense and scored what would be the Bulldogs’ final goal of the game. CA goalie Nick King, a junior, and the defense in front of him did not allow another score over the last 30 minutes.

“We gave up one long pole goal on a missed clear in the second quarter and then nothing from that point on,” said CA coach Ed Mulheron. “We are really, really pleased with that. We tell the kids that our defense is the backbone and we will only go as far as our defense will carry us. At some point along the line here we are going to have to lay it on the line defensively and that’s what we pride ourselves on.”

“The defense starts right at the center X,” said Johnson, who helped the Braves win 20 of 24 faceoffs. “We made an adjustment on the wing and it worked out. We realized what they were doing in the first half, and we changed it. Once we realized what we needed to do, just finish and get our good shots, we scored.”

Canandaigua Lacrosse, 2009 Western Regional Champions

The game’s star defenseman, senior Sean Regan, summed up the defensive work this way: “King played great. The defense played great and it really helped out that Marshall won a bunch of faceoffs. The middies played great ‘D’. Evan Burley, Matt Smith, all the long-stick players played great, too.”

“The defense came out strong right from the beginning,” said King. “Sean was really tough on Matt Springer. We thought he would be a big threat to us but he shut him down good. Stopped all of his passes to the point where they moved him to midfield and that didn’t make any difference.”

King also enjoyed watching the show his teammates put on at the other end of the field.

“Watching that offense of ours in front of me is the best feeling ever, knowing that I can sit back and watch our offense rack ’em up,” he said.

In addition to his four goals, Scheetz also added two assists. Alves scored three times and dished out one assist. LaCrosse added two goals and Tanner Scharr, Klein, Brandon Thomson and Jordan Reals each had one. Scharr and Will Johnson added assists.

King made but two stops in three quarters of work with Anthony DeLeo and LaShawn Williams splitting time in the fourth quarter and making no saves.

Mulheron, whose team has won 18 straight games, identified a few points as to why the offense is clicking.

“I give a lot of credit to our faceoff men and our wing play,” he said. “(Hamburg) won a few draws tonight, too, but our kids were just relentless on ground balls. And even when (Hamburg) won a ground ball, boy they paid the price and we got it back. That’s what we try to be about. A blue collar team that will get down and get at you.

“What I was really pleased with was when we substituted there in the third quarter for four minutes or so with a whole other set of attackers and they couldn’t get out a couple of times then either. That just allows our kids to get in, get a drink, get a little rest. We are hoping over 48 minutes that we can wear you down. I think tonight it took its toll. At the end of the first quarter it was even. But little by little we pulled away.”

Added Scheetz with the final say: “I hope we can keep it all rolling.”

For now, the Braves will roll into the state semifinals where they will take on No. 8 Jamesville-DeWitt Thursday at 8 p.m. back at Fisher. The Rams took out St. Lawrence of Section 10, 9-3.

Canandaigua Lacrosse Slide Show

Depth Of Talent Leads Canandaigua Lacrosse Braves To 2009 Section 5 Crown

Canandaigua Lacrosse 2009 Section 5 Champions

Some things never change, and unfortunately for the second-seeded Irondequoit Eagles, losing to the Canandaigua Braves is one of those things. Playing in their second-straight sectional championship game against the top-seeded Braves, the Eagles lost 17-6 Friday in the Class B finals. Irondequoit lost to CA, 18-5, in the ‘A’ finals last spring. The victory was CA’s 17th-straight this year.

What also never changed in the sectional title game was the depth of the Braves and the lock-down style of their defense. All year the Braves had used 6-to-7 defenseman, 5-to-7 attackmen, and 8-to-9 middies in almost every game, not to mention rotating three goalies in and out just about every other quarter during the season, also. As they have also done all season long, the CA defense has been able to stifle whatever offensive scheme they have had to face.

Friday night at St. John Fisher College, every facet of the Braves lacrosse game was in high gear. Especially the offense, scoring four goals in each of the first three quarters to grab a 12-5 lead after the third quarter, going on to outscore the Eagles 5-1 in the last quarter.

The CA offense was started by senior X-man Marshall Johnson, winning 18-of-19 draws at the X, and ended by junior Deven Alves who scored five goals and dished out three assists in the game.

Canandaigua Celebrates As They Score One Of Their 17 Goals In Their Section 5 Win Over Irondequoite

Also scoring for CA, now 19-2 on the season, was senior Brian Scheetz with three goals and four assists, senior Tanner Scharr and junior Tom LaCrosse with two goals and one assist each, Marshall Johnson with one goal and one assist, and one goal each from Will Johnson, Shane Dobies, Adam Knapton and Bryan Peck.

“The kids played very well. They really rose to the occasion,” said CA head coach Ed Mulheron. “I’m very proud of how we played today. Deven had a great game as did the rest of the kids. But I am especially pleased with how well Deven played.”

#7 Deven Alves, 2009 Section 5 Tournament MVP, Had 5 Goals And 3 Assists

As far as Deven Alves was concerned, he knew who was buttering his bread.
“I think all game long, it all started with the job Marshall was doing with the draw,” he stated. “It gave us a chance to run our offense. Brian, me and Tanner working well amongst ourselves behind the net was also a big key. We were using our picks well and creating a lot of offense. I was pumped up the whole game and whenever the ball came my way I took advantage of it.”

But it wasn’t only the offense that Alves wanted to talk about.“Our defense played really great also,” he continued. “The Coholan brothers (Irondequoit’s Drew and Greg) are unbelievable scorers. To hold them back like we did was unbelievable. Everybody did a great job of chipping into shutting them down. It was a full team effort.”

CA starting goalie, junior Nick King, perhaps showing how well his defense was playing in front of him, made but five saves in the game with most of those being big key saves at crucial times.

“Nick played very well with some nice timely saves when we really needed them,” continued fourth-year coach Mulheron. “He was everything we asked for today in the nets.”

Mulheron could not continue the interview without talking about the team’s X-man and middie play.

“I thought Marshall did an outstanding job at the X,” continued Mulheron. “But his wing men did a great job helping him. They picked up a lot of loose balls that got us the draw also.”

In fact it was the whole Braves team that did an excellent job gaining control of loose balls, scooping up 34 to just 13 by the Eagles.

Despite his strong stats at the X, Johnson was all about the play of his defense.

“I love this defense,” said Johnson, who will play at Fairfield next year. “In the first half, to hold their offense to just three goals and doing the same thing in the second half was strong. A key, we thought, was to hold the Coholan brothers to four goals or less each and we did just that.”

Finally he was persuaded to talk about his day at the X.

“Going against Greg (Coholan) last year a few times, I noticed he changed his style this year,” he continued. “I figured that the first few draws in the beginning of the game were going to set the tone. So, once I won the first three draws, I figured it wasn’t going to be much of a problem from there on out.

But I also have to mention how strong a game Deven played. He was huge. He was in the right spot at the right time all game.”

While the Braves offense was doing its thing, the defense was doing theirs also. Mulheron knew why.
“Our assistant coaches Robin Hulme and Jeff Scheetz have done a wonderful job preparing our defense all season long,” continued Mulheron. “They really dialed in our defense today. The defense had a lot to do with this win today, too.”

#26 Defenseman Kyle Stanney Named To Section 5 All Tournament Team...Says The Section 5 Championship Title Fits Just Fine

The Braves will move onto the state tournament this Tuesday, facing Section 6 champ Hamburg back at St. John Fisher College in first round regional play. The Braves might have defeated Hamburg 10-6 earlier in the season at Hamburg, but according to Mulheron, that’s all the more reason to be worried about them.

“We know Hamburg is a very good team having played them once earlier in the season. We are somewhat familiar with them because of that game but they will also be more aware of our game, too. We will expect a high-quality game from them come Tuesday.”

Canandaigua Lacrosse Slide Show

Canandaigua All Tournamet Team Selections:
Attack: Tanner Sharr, Brian Sheetz, Deven Alves /Tournament MVP

Midfield: Marshall Johnson  Defense: Kyle Stanney, Sean Regan  Goalie: Nick King

Canandaigua Lacrosse Section 5 All Tournament Team // Deven Alves Tournament MVP

Rednecks In The Balance

Well, they did it again!
The 2009 annual Redneck Games were a big hit.

This year events: Shoot the gorilla on the moped, Redneck bowling, Mud diving and more………

It happens once a year. A legendary contest that tests The Braves on every level.
And now, at last, it’s finally here.

Coach York & Nate From Tangarine Films

Watch as our heroes roll up their sleeves, put on their game faces and step to the front lines. It’s cow milking time! Yes, the Redneck Games are in full effect in Episode 9. Mud slides! Clay pigeons! And did we mention the cows? After that, it’s time for business with another legendary annual contest. Arch rival Fairport- the #1 team in Section 5 Class A Lacrosse- comes to Evans’ Field for the Braves’ last regular-season game. Will the Braves emerge victorious and roll into the postseason as winners? Find out here in Episode 9 of Season in the Balance.

RedNeck Games Slide Show

It ‘Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This!

Deven Alves Scores Winning Goal In Overtime To Defeat Penn Yan!!

There was something bittersweet about Canandaigua’s heart-pounding 12-11 overtime win over Penn Yan Tuesday night in Finger Lakes Division I boys lacrosse action.

On the one hand, there was the packed house at Penn Yan Academy — full grandstands and fans three and four deep all the way around the fence — for what has developed into the marquee rivalry in the FL. On the other hand, there’s the fact that it was the last time they will meet as league opponents, each going different ways after this season.

Taking everything into account, CA coach Ed Mulheron summed it up by saying: “This was just another classic Finger Lakes battle between Penn Yan and Canandaigua. Local high school lacrosse doesn’t get much better than this.”

CA is moving on to Monroe County next year, while Penn Yan will be an independent.

“I think our rivalry with Penn Yan has been a special one over all these years,” Mulheron said. “Both programs take a lot of pride in what they do. In that regard we will miss playing them twice a year. However, we have already made agreements, Brian (Hobart, PYA coach) and I, that as long as we are coaching there will be a game scheduled between our two teams each year. Maybe have a coin toss that first year to see who will be the home team for the first game.”

As for last night, the game-winner came with 1:29 left in overtime when CA’s Marshall Johnson laid a perfect pass to a streaking Deven Alves, who found a seam in the Mustang defense and put a shot on PY goalie Ethan Kamholtz before he could react. That was 20 seconds after Kamholtz made the save of the game, keeping the Mustangs in it with a beautiful stop on Tom LaCrosse, who had found himself staring Kamholtz down from about eight feet out and no defender around. Kamholtz stayed upright and made the save.

Canandaigua Lacrosse Celebrates Overtime Win Against Penn Yan

CA fans will point to the job that the Braves’ Nick King did in goal as well. Playing a rare complete game, King made several tough saves on a loose ball scrum in front of his net as the clock ticked down in regulation.

The Braves (9-0 in the league, 11-2 overall) led most of the way but never by more than two. It was 2-0, 5-3 and 7-5 after the first three quarters and was tied three times.

Both teams clamped down on defense, especially in the first half, but as the game went on, and as things got more physical, time between goals got shorter.

Eight goals were scored in the first half, while 10 were scored in the fourth quarter alone.

The biggest reason for the tight game came from the center X. In their previous meeting, a 15-5 CA win at home, Braves faceoff man Johnson won all 19 draws.

He won the first four on Tuesday before PY’s Ty Trombley settled down and won the next three. Johnson would narrowly win the battle between the two specialists, 14-12.

“In the first half, I had it under control,” said Johnson of the faceoff action. “At halftime (Trombley) made some adjustments and got better. But when I can’t get it done, the defense picks it up and we get it done that way.”

The Braves had several outstanding scoring plays, but the goal that seemed to really spark them came from Bryan Peck.

Racing in from the sidelines during a Braves transition, he found himself wide open for a pass that he quickly buried into the net.

The Mustangs’ Matt Osgood had just scored on the other end, but Peck’s opportunistic goal gave the Braves back a two-goal cushion.

“It came off a great pass from Marshall on the run,” Peck said. “He drew my man to him and passed it to me. Just a great pass on his part.” He then directed the rest of his comments to the defense.

“Our defense shut down some of their key guys and Nick was great in goal. We hustled on some ground balls, but it was everybody’s hustle tonight that got us this win.”

Mulheron agreed, especially about King, who totaled eight saves.

“Nicky King made some key saves at the most opportune times,” he said. “He really rose to the occasion when we needed him.”

Deven Alves led the Braves with three goals and had offensive support from Tanner Scharr, Johnson and LaCrosse, who each scored twice.

Adam Trombley was the offensive force of the night, scoring five goals for Penn Yan (8-2, 12-2), two of which he scored by seeming to know where the sun was at his back. He scored his team’s second goal by taking a shot with the sun right over his shoulder and in King’s eyes. Fifty seconds later, he did the same thing from the exact same spot.

Osgood added two goals while Kamholtz ended up with 15 saves.

“I think this game gives us a little bit of an idea of what situations we can play in,” Johnson said. “We know we can play in these tight defensive overtime games. The win was nice. But you know what? That was tonight. It’s always nice to beat Penn Yan, but there are bigger fish to fry.”

Mulheron wanted to let it sink in a bit before looking ahead. “This was a really great team win,” he said. “We hung in there and fought back for the lead each time they tied us. Everybody played their roles. We found ways to make plays, and in championship-type games you have to.

“We can be really proud that we reacted the way we did in a hostile environment on the road.”

Canandaigua Lacrosse Slide Show