Vail Shootout: News/Results from Day Eight

by Alex Smith | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online

Saturday was semifinal day at the Vail Lacrosse Shootout as both the Men’s and Women’s Elite Divisions moved ever closer to crowning champions.  On the men’s side, Maverik Elite continued to impress, running away from a plucky Team 21 side 13-6 while Team Chipotle had no trouble with Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters, winning 14-5 to set the championship match-up. 
 
For the women, CRSLax.com appears to be the favorites now that Gang Green is eliminated.  CRSLax.com had an easy time of it against Team Extreme, winning 12-3 while the other semifinal was arguably the best game in the Vail Valley on Saturday as the Colorado Tropics beat Portland Purple 11-10 in overtime.  Sunday is the final day of the tournament and promises to be a climactic end to one of lacrosse’s greatest spectacles. 
 
Men’s Elite
In the first semifinal match-up of the day, Maverik Elite continued to show why many believe they are one of the best teams to play in the Shootout in several years with an impressive win over Team 21.  Maverik led 7-5 at halftime behind the efforts of Casey Powell (Syracuse ’97) four points and John Galloway’s (Syracuse ’11) 10 saves.  Galloway finished with 19 saves in an impressive performance that wrapped up in Maverik’s favor 13-6. 
 
Maverik continues to get solid play from Powell, who finished with seven points on three goals and four assists and Eric Boyle (Maryland ’11), who had three goals as well as stellar face-off work by Lou Braun (Johns Hopkins ’04) and appear to have a great mix of veteran and youth talent heading into the final tomorrow.  If they continue to dominate groundballs and possession time, they will be tough to beat.
 
In the second semifinal, it didn’t take long for Team Chipotle to get up on Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters leading 6-1 at the end of the first quarter and 7-1 at halftime, mostly thanks to the goaltending of Peyton Tyrie (Denver ’10), who had eight first-half saves, and an aggressive transition game.  The Oysters tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, but Chipotle had an answer ever y time, eventually pulling away to win 14-5. 
 
Midfielders Andrew Lay (Denver ’12) and Joey Murray (Denver ’09) are playing well right now and Chipotle also got a solid contribution from a balanced attack unit to move to the championship game.  No one on the field had more than two goals for Chipotle, who are using their depth and athleticism to their advantage. 
 
Looking at the teams on paper, Maverik certainly will have the edge, but Chipotle showed tremendous heart and resiliency in their quarterfinal comeback against Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear and then looked comfortable playing from in front today.  Face-offs will be a key as Braun has been dominant so far for Maverik.  Chipotle has used long-stick middie Pat Murray (Georgetown ’13) to take draws and he will have his hands full with Braun tomorrow.  Galloway has been a difference both in the cage and in the clearing game for Maverik as well. 
 
But Chipotle’s strength is their quality in numbers.  With no one in particular to key in on, the team has found a way to score goals in myriad ways, so the match-up will be intriguing.  Look for Chipotle to push in transition and get some easy goals while at the same time protecting against Maverik’s lethal fast-break game.
 
Saturday Results:
Elite Semifinals:
Maverik Elite 13, Team 21 6
Team Chipotle 14, Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters 5
 
Consolation Semifinals:
Brine Elite 8, Team Sasquatch 5
The Olympic Club 17, Team Awesome 3
 
Consolation:
Team One’s Jammin’ Salmon 15, East Coast Kings 5
Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear 15, The Med 7
Bigfoot Lacrosse 12, Team Gutman 10
83 ∏ Lacrosse 13, The Lofers 4
Victorious Secret 13, Fender Benders 7
 
Sunday Match-Ups:
Elite Championship:  Team Chipotle vs. Maverik Elite – 1:00pm – Ford Field
Consolation Championship:  The Olympic Club vs. Brine Elite – 11:00am – Ford Field
3rd Place:  Team 21 vs. Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters – 12:00pm – Athletic Field
5th Place:  Team One’s Jammin’ Salmon vs. Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear – 11:00am – Edwards Turf
7th Place:  East Coast Kings vs. The Med – 11:00am – Edwards Grass 2
11th Place:  Team Sasquatch vs. Team Awesome – 11:00am – Edwards Grass 1
 
Other Consolation:
Team Gutman vs. 83 ∏ Lacrosse – 9:00am – Edwards Turf
Bigfoot Lacrosse vs. Victorious Secret – 9:00am – Edwards Grass 1
Fender Benders vs. The Lofers – 9:00am – Edwards Grass 2
 
Women’s Elite
CRSLax.com will be the decided favorites going into tomorrow’s championship against the Colorado Tropics.  It will be CRSLax.com’s second straight championship game appearance, but they have yet to claim the hardware.  The Tropics are a first-year team and have had some impressive results to get to the finals, but they will need to put together a complete game to secure the win against CRSLax.com. 
 
Saturday Results:
Elite Semifinals:
Colorado Tropics 11, Portland Purple 10 (ot)
CRSLax.com 12, Team Extreme 3
 
Consolation: 
#1 Stunner of the Month 13, Team Chipotle 5
Gang Green 17, TexLax 2
Colorado Storm 11, Team Wild 2
#1 Stunner of the Month 14, Minnesota Northstars 5
Gang Green 8, Colorado Storm 7
TexLax 9, Team Chipotle 8
 
Sunday Match-Ups:
Elite Championship:  CRSLax.com vs. Colorado Tropics – 9:00am – Ford Field
3rd Place:  Portland Purple vs. Team Extreme – 11:00am – Athletic Field
5th Place:  Gang Green vs. #1 Stunner of the Month – 10:10am – Athletic Field
7th Place:  Minnesota Northstars vs. Colorado Storm – 9:05am – Athletic Field
9th Place:  Team Wild vs. TexLax – 8:00am – Athletic Field