Stayin' Alive: U15 Boys Move to Single Bracket
by Paul Krome | Lax Magazine.com | Championship Bracket PDF | Championship Scoreboard
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DH Elite (Calif.) nearly sandwiched two-time defending national champion FCA (Md.) in a pool play game at the US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, presented by Champion, but FCA survived, 5-4. Lightning during the afternoon forced a modified schedule, and all 27 teams are still have for the national championship. ©Scott McCall |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Twenty-seven of the nation's best under-15 boys' lacrosse teams traveled from near and far to have a chance to win the US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, presented by Champion. After one day of play, they all still have a chance.
While nine teams survived opening day undefeated, no squad packed quite the wallop that Mother Nature did. Lightning began in the vicinity of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the second half of the 2 p.m. games and continued for roughly five hours, wiping out some games and sending three contests under the lights.
When the day was done, each team played two pool-play games, and US Lacrosse event organizers ditched plans for a 16-team championship bracket and an 11-team consolation bracket in favor of a single 27-team bracket that gives each team a chance to win the crown when the tournament portion of the event begins Saturday morning.
Prior to the lightning delay, two-time defending national champion FCA (Md.) got two goals from Bailey Wilkinson and a goal and an assist from Owen Dingman to survive a 5-4 game against DH Elite (Calif.). Jacob Stover made seven saves for FCA. Jack Renard had two for DH Elite and Connor McCroskey had a goal and an assist. FCA was one of nine teams to post a 2-0 record.
For the Love of the Game (N.Y.), which finished as the runner up in each of the last two events, cruised past Stickhead (Tenn.) before winning a lightning-shortened affair against Colorado, 3-2. The Atlanta Coyotes, who won the US Lacrosse Southeast Regional Championship last month in Raleigh, N.C., and earned a free ticket to the big dance, struggled, falling to Nor Cal Blue and Next Level (Md.). US Lacrosse Central Regional Champion C2C Black (Texas) lost to the Nor Cal Talons early before edging the Long Island (N.Y.) Jesters.
There's a relative who's-who of current or former top players coaching teams in the championship, including John Christmas (Dukes HHH), Kyle Harrison (DH Elite, and Josh Sims (Colorado). Barring another onslaught by Mother Nature, they'll get the chance to prove their championship pedigree Saturday.
Seedings for the 27-team tournament are listed below. Seeding was based on W-L record, then goals allowed, then goal differential (capped at eight per game).
1. Long Island Express (2-0) 1 GA (+16 differential)
2. Nor Cal Talons (2-0) 1 GA (+13 differential)
3. Maryland LC (2-0) 2 GA
4. Force Lacrosse (2-0) 3 GA (+10 differential)
5. For the Love of the Game (2-0) 3 GA (+9 differential)
6. NESLL (2-0) 3 GA (+6 differential)
7. Carolina Cyclones (2-0) 4 GA
8. Next Level MD (2-0) 5 GA (+14 differential)
9. FCA (2-0) 5 GA (+9 differential)
10. Colorado (1-1) 5 GA (+5 differential), won coin flip
11. DH Lax Elite (1-1) 5 GA (+5 differential)
12. Vegas Headwrapz (1-1) 7 GA
13. True Lacrosse (1-1) 8 GA
14. Long Island Jesters (1-1) 9 GA
15. Dukes HHH LC (1-1) 10 GA (-4 differential)
16. Nor Cal Blue (1-1) 10 GA (-5 differential)
17. C2C Black (1-1) 11 GA
18. Blue Chips (0-1-1) 15 GA
19. Houlaguns (0-1-1) 23 GA
20. Next Level RI (0-2) 12 GA (-5 differential)
21. Jacksonville (0-2) 12 GA (-8 differential)
22. Atlanta Coyotes (0-2) 14 GA (-8 differential)
23. Utah (0-2) 14 GA (-12 differential)
24. Illinois United (0-2) 14 GA (-13 differential)
25. TTL Select (0-2) 18 GA (-12 differential)
26. Florida Swashbucklers (0-2) 18 GA (-16 differential)
27. Stickhead (0-2) 22 GA
