Land Sharks Red Reel In Checkmate Orange, Tie for 1st Place

"Blanket" ponders what went wrong in loss to Land Sharks

Holtsville, NY--Led by outstanding goalie play by Rob Serratore (Stony Brook '91) and stellar defense by Ed Coleman (St. John's '94), the now 1st place Land Sharks Red defeated Gregg "Blanket" Giampaolo's Checkmate Orange 8-3.

It was a balmy night under the stars last Friday at the PAL Athletic Conference so much that the humidity took the life out of the now 2nd place Checkmate Orange and the curl out of Giampaolo's hair.

Land Sharks Red were firmly in control the entire contest. Teammates largely attributed the win to net-minder Rob Serratore. Although he is on the roster he was not scheduled to play. He received a phone call early that evening that forced him to cancel plans to play in his weekly softball game and don his lax equipment and head to Holtsville.

Often touted as one of the stingiest goalies in LI Masters lacrosse, Serratore stopped numerous Checkmate scoring attempts.

The game's most memorable moment was one of "Blanket" Giampaolo's tomahawk checks against an opposing offensive player minutes into the game. The check dislodged the ball. Teammate Doug DeRosa aka"Doug E. "Fresh" scooped up the loose ball and raced down the field setting up a fast break goal. It was that play which set the tone for the rest of the contest.

Land Sharks Red are now tied with Lily Flanigan's for 1st place. Both teams sit at 3-1.