Elite Championship – Team 21 12, Reebok 7

Team 21 trailed Reebok 3-2 at the end of one quarter of play, but won every quarter thereafter, outscoring the defending champions 10-4 over the final three stanzas to win their first Vail Lacrosse Shootout Men’s Elite Championship by a score of 12-7. 21’s goaltending and defense was stellar, especially in the second half, as they held the high-scoring Reebok team to only 2 second half goals.

The Cornell-based Team 21 got a huge effort from All-Tournament members David Mitchell and John Glynn, both of whom were on top of their games throughout the tournament. Jake Meyers recorded 17 saves for the victorious Team 21, who enter the Shootout in the memory of fallen brother Mario St. George Boiardi – a Cornell lacrosse player who passed away while playing in 2004.

Glynn was exceptional throughout the tournament, using his shifty, elusive style of play to get to the goal and break down defenses. For his efforts, he was named the tournament’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. Meyers, who recorded more saves in each game as the tournament progressed, was named the Shootout’s Defensive MVP.

Team 21 did a great job shutting down Reebok’s Adam Donegar, who netted 5 goals in the semifinals. Donegar didn’t record a point in the Championship Game. Reebok had four players with 2 points in the game, including midfielders John Carrozza, Dan Fanelli and Anthony Muscarella and attackman Ryan Zordani. Team 21’s leading point-getter was Glynn, who had 3 goals and 1 assist and Christian Pastirik, who ripped home a 2-pointer to give him 3 total points on the day.

Reebok was certainly the favorite coming into the game, but Team 21 left little doubt as to who the better team was on this day and celebrated their Championship in style as the Vail Lacrosse Shootout ended its 36th year.

Other Men’s Elite News:

The Lofers completed an 8 goal comeback to defeat LaxGrip in overtime in the fifth place game while Brine Elite rode the efforts of All-Tournament face-off man John Ortolani to win the Consolation Championship over Rock-it Pocket 10-3. Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear defeated AIG-LIVESTRONG for 3rd place by a score of 8-4.

Results:
3rd Place – Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear 8, AIG-LIVESTRONG 4
5th Place – The Lofers 13, LaxGrip 12 (ot)
7th Place – Arizona Mermen 9, Club All-Stars 5

Photo by Andy Sharp

Consolation Championship – Brine Elite 10, Rock-it Pocket 3
11th Place – Rocky Mountain Oysters 12, Team Valhalla 4
13th Place – The Generals 9, 5280/Tap Room 2
15th Place – Team Gutman beat Team Rubi Rey
17th Place – Team Black Seal 5, Footclan/Team California 1

See the Pointstreak stats for details on each game.