BURNING RIVER SCORCHES COMPETITION, EARNS TWO BIDS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
(June 24, 2008)
With one goal in mind, the Burning River (OH) Elite and Burning River Rising Stars teams were not to be denied. The teams came to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Midwest Cup to qualify for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions, the high school club lacrosse national championship…and that’s exactly what they did.
After suffering an 8-7 overtime loss to the Minnesota Yeti Elite in the first game of Toyota Pool Play on Saturday morning, Burning River Elite avenged its loss with a convincing 10-4 victory over the Yeti Elite in the boys’ high school division final, played on Toyota Championship Field I.
In the title game, Burning River Elite was led by 16-year-old Reeves Northrupp, who scored three goals en route to being named the Toyota Player of the Game. Scott Loy and Andrew Stansley each contributed two goals in the win, while Burning River Elite's defense limited the Yeti Elite to just eight shots on goal, of which goalie Alex Wisner saved four of them.
The Burning River Rising Stars team finished atop the rising stars division, securing a bid to the national championship. In Toyota Pool Play, Burning River recorded four victories and two defeats.
Minnesota East, led by coach Rich Limpert, took home the high school elite bronze medal.
U-15
Burning River’s U-15 team also made the championship game in its age level after defeating Minnesota Select, 4-3, in the semifinals (Toyota Player of the Game – James Dahlheimer). But, in the Toyota Championship Game, Dublin (OH) Grizzell stymied Burning River, notching a 10-3 victory.
Nick Niel’s five goals earned the attackman Toyota Player of the Game honors.
In an unprecedented showing of sportsmanship, Minnesota Select and Fox Valley Gold (IL) opted to share the third-place finish, as each team was presented with bronze medals. Minnesota Select was the four-seed coming out of Toyota Pool Play after a 3-2 record. Fox Valley Gold was the three-seed, after winning four and losing just once, 12-11, to the eventual champs, the Dublin Grizzell.
U-13
The East Grand Rapids (MI) Pioneers played their closest game of Toyota Pool Play against Eden Prairie (MN), a 5-2 victory for the Pioneers on Saturday. When East Grand Rapids found itself once again pitted against Eden Prairie in the playoffs, but this time for the championship, the score was even closer. The Pioneers hung on a for a 4-3 victory in one of the most exciting games of the tournament. Eden Prairie’s Brooks Armitage scored all three of his team’s goals in the championship game defeat.
The Kansas City (MO) Blue Lions left with hardware of their own, claiming third place in the division with an 8-2 victory over Northwest Suburban (IL).
TOURNAMENT PHOTOS
NDP Lacrosse is proud to announce that Superstars Sports Photography, the official photographer of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Midwest, has posted all tournament photos on its website. Click here to view and purchase tournament photos. Superstars Sports Photography is offering a limited-time 15% discount on all prices, good through Thursday, June 26. Order today and save!
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