Champion AAS Provides Platform to Shine
by Paul Krome and Brian Logue | LaxMagazine.com
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Nazareth recruit Drew Simoneau had a pair of goals to help Freedom beat Spirit 14-10 in the opening round of the Champion All-American Showcase. © Scott McCall |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – One of the great things about the Champion All-American Showcase is the geographic diversity – players from 31 states are among the 96 players competing on the four teams during the three-day event at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Sometimes lost in that, is the chance for players from smaller school and colleges to get their crack against the big boys.
Taking full advantage of his opportunity was Drew Simoneau, a midfielder from Kimball Union Academy (N.H.) who is headed to Division III Nazareth College. Simoneau scored two goals, won a number of face-offs and grabbed ground balls all over the field to help Team Freedom rally from an early 5-2 deficit to beat Team Spirit 14-10 in an opening round game. Team Liberty beat Team Pride 10-6 in the other opening round game.
“I knew that the competition was going to be tough and I just wanted to come out here and try my best,” said Simoneau. “It’s kind of overwhelming. It makes me feel better than I can keep up with them.”
Simoneau caught the eye of US Lacrosse Men’s Game Director Brian Silcott with his play in the early going, even before Silcott knew that Simoneau was headed to his own alma mater. Silcott was an All-American for Nazareth’s 1992 NCAA Division III championship team and went on to a distinguished pro career in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse.
Not a bad guy to impress.
Also turning in an impressive performance was another guy going to a Division III school in New York. Jason Ketchoyian, headed to Oswego State, made six saves in the second half for Freedom while allowing just four goals and also caused a couple of turnovers.
Providence recruit Matthew Goldman led Freedom with four goals and Syracuse-bound Kevin Rice played a key role by scoring the first two goals of the second half to help Freedom pull away from a 7-6 halftime lead. Cameron Dabir, a Culver Military Academy (Ind.) grad headed to Washington and Lee, led Spirit with two goals.
In the other opening round game, Team Liberty got two goals apiece from Brandon Gamblin, a rising senior at Sachem North (N.Y.) High, and Adam McCall of Tampa’s Paul Wharton to grind away a 10-6 win over Team Pride.
Pride goalie Ryan Laplante made nine saves in the second half, and Liberty goalies Zach Oliveri (U.S. U19 team) and Austin Andersen each finished with six saves and three goals allowed, as both defense played effectively.
Six different scorers helped Liberty jump out to a 6-3 lead. Pride’s Matt Johnson scored twice in the second half to help his team get within 7-5, but an assist and goal from Liberty’s Geoffrey Sullivan helped the royal blue and white salt away the win.
Box Scores
Freedom 14, Spirit 10
Freedom Goals: Matthew Goldman 4, Kevin Rice 2, Drew Simoneau 2,
Nick Roberts 2, Troy Haefele 1, Kyle Keenan 1, Jamie Shand 1,
Mitchell Dupere 1.
Freedom Assists: Jamie Shand 1, Christopher Smith 1, Mitch Chapman
1, Bobby Schmitt 1.
Freedom Goalies: Patrick McGushin 7 saves, 6 GA; Jason Ketchoyian 6
saves, 4 GA
Spirit Goals: Cameron Dabir 2, Kylor Bellistri 1, Frank Miller 1,
Chad Hyslop 1, Brian Schlansker 1, Kris Lankford 1, Will Lerch 1,
Greg Cuccinello 1, Michael Parks 1.
Spirit Assists: Frank Miller 1, Kris Lankford 1, Greg Cuccinello
1.
Spirit Goalies: Emil Weiss 5 saves, 7 GA; Gunner Waldt 3 saves, 7
GA.
Liberty 10, Pride 6
Liberty Goals: Brandon Gamblin 2, Adam McCall 2, Rick Lewis 1,
Paul Hummer 1, Derek Henson 1, David Manning 1, Jake Rooney 1,
Geoffrey Sullivan 1.
Liberty Assists: Geoffrey Sullivan 1.
Liberty Goalies: Zach Oliveri 6 saves, 3 GA; Austin Andersen 6
saves, 3 GA.
Pride Goals: Matthew Johnson 2, Connor Buczek 1, Tyler Barbarich
1, Mike Power 1, Will Corrigan 1.
Pride Assists: Mike Pelligrino 1, Austin Spaulding 1, Michael
Ondrusek 1.
Pride Goalies: Dan Harvey 4 saves, 6 GA; Ryan Laplante 9 saves, 4
GA
