Checkmate Dominates, Captures Lake Placid Crown

The ageless Giampaolo prepares for battle

Lake Placid, NY-- With stellar midfield play and a well executed game plan; a much older Checkmate defeated the much younger Team Long Island-Lax Unlimited 7-6 for the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Championship. It was a tough fought, hard hitting game with both teams playing to a 4-4 tie at halftime.

Checkmate Goalie Mike Swift (Adelphi '90) and his counterpart Keith Huber (East Islip '85, St. John's '89) both played awesome. Each goalkeeper had strong tournaments. "Swiftie" as his teammates and friends refer to him as, went on to garner tournament MVP honors; while Huber allowed only 9 goals in 8 quarters of play.

Checkmate relied on a defensive strategy that involved locking off Team LI's middies forcing their attack to handle the ball during set offense series. That freed up their close-D to tee-off on LI's attackmen. Team LI's heralded attack unit featured Bruce Bruno (Cornell), Dan Boltja (Cornell), and John Wilkens (Johns Hopkins). The usually productive unit, who were instrumental in helping Team LI reach the finals were held in check by the stingy Checkmate defense which was led by Glenn Mattson (Marist '90). Insult was added to injury when Team LI attackman Dan "Soldier"Boltja went out of the game in the beginning of the 4th quarter with a pulled hamstring. It is also worth noting that Boltja played attack for Checkmate on their Grand Masters team at this same week of play during the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament. He led that offense with 9 goals and 8 assists in four games. It seems that Boltja might have been overworked pulling double duty.

Checkmate pulled ahead to a 7-4 lead going into the 4th as their game plan unfolded perfectly. Team LI pulled within 1 goal with four minutes left to play but ultimately ran out of gas. Team LI had challenges the entire second half clearing the ball, controlling the ball on offense, sloppy goal tending, and scooping up ground balls.

The most memorable play of the game and one which symbolized Checkmate's heart and toughness came late in the third quarter. Team LI-Lax Unlimited midfielder Chris "Bergie" Bergeson had the ball at the top of the box in his offensive zone. Covering Bergeson was non other than Gregg "Blanket" Giampaolo. "Blanket" lived up to his nickname when Bergeson in an apparent attempt to isolate, pulled him to midfield to begin his dodge. With the stick in his left hand, "Bergie" attempted a left-to-right split-dodge on Giampaolo. Giampaolo 15 years his senior, stepped up right into Bergeson and jacked him up! The blow sent "Bergie" to the turf on his back. Giampaolo then swiped at his opponent's stick dislodging the ball. He scooped up the loose GB and initiated a fast break which led to what was ultimately Checkmate's wining goal.

Some feel these players represent the last era of lacrosse in which Long Island players and teams dominated the game. They cite the talent pools that have been expanded to different parts of the country outside of the usual hotbeds of LI, Upstate NY, and MD. Just take a look at many of the college lacrosse rosters these days. You'll find players from Florida, California, and Minnesota to name a few. The decline of Long Island's dominance is evident in the fact that no true Long Island Team competed at the younger Open Division here in Placid, it was more of a mix of players; again reflective of current college rosters. All in all this was a great showcase of Long Island lacrosse, something to be proud of, no matter what the outcome was.

Checkmate Black make Rhinos look like childs play

Ronkonkoma, NY--Written off the last month, the resurgent Checkmate Black are making a strong playoff push.

Greg Giampaolo had two penalties and one ground ball, Doug Fresh had one goal on a broken play and Checkmate Black beat the struggling Rhinos 21-15 last Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Checkmate Black (6-1) remained a half-game behind Good and Tender Meats in the race for the top playoff spot at CIS. They have to win their last game and need Good and Tender to lose their last game to secure the top spot.

"We put everything together and we're playing some pretty good ball right now", said midfielder Greg Giampaolo, who set a team record by playing in his 181st game with Checkmate. " We are a very, very confident group and we're looking forward to this next game."

The Rhinos (3-4) have lost three of their last four games. At least they finally played better in transition creating opportunities for themselves on both sides of the field. The Rhinos, who couldn't ride or clear the previous three games could be looking for a new coach to replace Kevin "Bagger Vance" Morris after the season.

"Our guys tried but I don't think we have enough ammunition to match up with them," team captain 'Broadway' Brett Jeffares said. " We fought in there defensively. We gave up some easy goals and got some turnovers. We were ineffective finding the back of the net."

Despite scoring first with a quick goal, the Rhinos soon relinquished their lead and trailed the rest of the game. Down 12-7 at halftime they couldn't close the gap down the stretch.

The Rhinos' Nick Marks ('Wogue '99) scored his second hat trick of the season and Brian Davis (Southampton '94) padded his stats by adding four goals and two assists. Adam "The Israeli Assassin" added two more for the Rhinos. Jacobs miss-fired on two more would be goals. " I made two mistakes that cost us pretty good,” the Assassin said. “I can’t put the defense in that spot."

Since his benching two week ago, Giampaolo has played like the guy who won five Jerry's kids awards and led Checkmate Black to four consecutive St. Mary's School for the Blind Lacrosse Championships. He has five ground balls and ten penalties in the last three games. His shot percentage is zero.

"He's playing confident, he's being aggressive with the ball and he's managing the game well," teammate and fellow midfielder Doug Fresh said.

Giampoalo came out firing in the first half, missing all five shots on the opening possession, including a wide open shot a point blank range.

In the second half, Doug "Doug E. Fresh" DeRosa stepped in front of a Steve Maloney pass intended for "Broadway" Brett Jeffares and raced ten yards for a goal to make it 17-12.

It was the first goal this season for Doug Fresh, who just agreed in terms to playing with Checkmate for the next six years. " It was definitely overdue", Doug said. " I dropped a couple of passes. It was time to finally get one. I'm sick of Giampaolo taking all the credit."

Glenn Mattson (Marist '92) defensive standout for Checkmate constantly harassed the Rhino attackmen throughout the evening, holding the Rhinos to less than ten goals per half.

Notes: Checkmate improved to 10-2 in December dating back to 2006..Rhinos' Scott Ferguson scored is 51st goal, setting a single-season team record(two on the night).....Rhinos have lost four or more games in four seasons of play (2 indoor, 2 outdoor)....D Jim Laura(wedding plans), M Scott Fitzgerald(sniffles) and M Rob Martin(bruised ego) sat out for the Rhinos.