All Quiet On the Nor'Eastern Front

Holbrook, NY--Lax action was light last week in men's masters play. Thursday night saw only one game being played and the other one forfeited. Friday night's two games were cancelled due to weather conditions.

SCPD defeated Bruno's by a score 7-5 in what was a very boring game. SCPD had the ball for most of the game. While Bruno's goaltender Vick kept his team in the game by making a ton of saves. There was nothing else note-worthy or exciting to report. SCPD improves to 4-3 for the season and closes in on a possible spot in the post season. Bruno's remains win-less at 0-5.

In other scheduled games Checkmate forfeited against each other for Thursday's second match-up. But we are not certain if Checkmate Black or Checkmate Orange will be credited with a victory.

Flanagans vs. Grey Dogs and Land Sharks Blue Vs. Land Sharks Red will be rescheduled at dates and times to be determined.

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.

Land Sharks Red Dump SCPD 7-6 in Comeback Win

Holtsville, NY--Land Sharks Red improves to 2-1 on the season with a second half come back versus SCPD. SCPD who led 3-2 at the half, pulled a "Remnants" down the stretch, collapsing in the final two minutes of the game. A gritty Land Sharks Red squad is now tied for second place in the standings .

This Evening's Men's Masters Lacrosse Schedule

Can Huber deliver like Broadway Joe?

Holtsville, NY--The race to the playoffs is already heating up during this third week of lax play of the Nor'Easter Summer Lacrosse League at the P.A.L. Athletic Complex.
Two teams are tied for 1st place, three tied for 2nd, and three for 3rd. It comes as no surprise that Checkmate Orange is one of those 1st place teams and Brunos is sucking wind down in the cellar.
The two games tonight features the newcomer SCPD Team vs. a very seasoned and wiley Land Sharks Red Team. Two SJU Alumni will be squaring off against each other. Ed Coleman, a Brentwood native, for Land Sharks and Keith Huber (East Islip '85, St. John's '89) in net for SCPD.
Tonight's game marks Huber's first return to Nor'Easter Lacrosse action since last June when he signed on to play with Ray Sipperly's Remnants squad. The emotional and physical toll he took losing and playing with Remnants put him into hibernation from lacrosse for the past 11 months. He is resurfacing now not only to secure SCPD a Nor'Easter Summer League title but also to tune -up for the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament which commences within two weeks from yesterday. At Placid he'll be leading the defending co-champion Team Long Island- Lax Unlimited as the number one seed in a field of twenty on their quest for back to back championships. Huber has predicted victory in tonight's game versus Land Sharks Red. "We'll win", he exclaimed, "as long as I'm between those pipes".
Face-off is tonight at 7pm.

Long Island Lax Blog's Prediction: SCPD 9 - Land Sharks Red 5




The second game features a 1-1 Lily Flanigan's Team against a newly formed Land Sharks Team name Land Sharks White. Face-off is scheduled for 10pm.

Long Island Lax Blog's Prediction: Lily Flanigan's 10- Land Sharks White 4

Checkmates take PAL title in 1st summer session

Holtsville, NY--Checkmate Black destroy Lily Flanigans 11-4; Orange upends Land Sharks Red 5-3 on a balmy Tuesday evening of lax play.
Checkmate will not be playing itself for the PAL Championship Wednesday, July 1st. They will be playing with themselves at the bar instead.
Land Sharks Red will meet Lily Flanigans in the consolation game or "booby prize" Wednesday July 1st @9pm.

The Blog-worthy Performance Award goes to Greg Giampaolo (pictured above holding the football), who was honoring the late Michael Jackson with his Jerry Curls look, led his team to victory in both games last night. His teammates were referring to the afro-ed middie and team captain as the "human clear" for his dominant "in-between-the lines" play. Giampaolo was not only active on clears, but rides, groundballs and face-offs.

Attackman Bryan Davis had a very respectable two goals for Lily Flanigans. His second was on an assist from former Oswego great Scott Ferguson. Brett "Broadway" Jeffares scored on a sweet unassisted goal for Flanigans, when he took it strong to the cage through the heart of the staunch Checkmate defense.

Nor'Easter Playoffs Begin Tonight

No. 1 seeded Checkmate Orange vs. No. 4 seeded Land Sharks Red @ 8:30pm

No. 2 seeded Checkmate Black vs. No.3 seeded Lily Flanigans @ 9:30pm.

Championships to be held Wednesday July 1st.

Congratulations and best of luck to all qualifiers!