April 19, 2008
by Brian Bohl, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
MANHASSET, N.Y.-- Fresh scuff marks stained Adam Fullerton's white jersey.
Moments before, Army's senior goalie walked off the field carrying a career-high 24 saves. But even Fullerton's courageous effort could not curtail Duke's high-powered offense, as the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils defeated the No. 8-ranked Black Knights, 10-6, in front of 5,000 fans at Manhasset High School on Long Island.
Both schools concluded their regular seasons. Duke, which already captured the ACC regular season title, improved to 13-1. Army (9-4), which will be the top seed for the Patriot League tourney thanks to Colgate's win over Bucknell, was outshot 48-25.
"With some other good teams out there, you can shut a few guys off and contain the offense," Fullerton said. "You can't do that against Duke. You have to shut them all off."
Ned Crotty scored all three of his goals in the first half, helping Duke surge to a 5-0 lead. Matt Danowski added a goal and two assists. The senior attacker now has 326 career points, leaving him just 17 shy of Joe Vasta's NCAA record.
The game headlined the Lacrosse Day of Champions. A pregame ceremony, featuring a demonstration by Army paratroopers, was held in honor of Jimmy Regan. Regan, a former Duke standout and U.S. Army Ranger, was killed in Iraq last year. A Manhasset native, he played for Chaminade High School before excelling for the Blue Devils from 1999-2002.
"It was an absolute honor to play in this game for Jimmy Regan," Fullerton said. "The atmosphere was second to none. I don't know if there will be a game with a better atmosphere than this."
Danowski never had the chance to meet Regan, though he said playing in the game was an honor. The event, which also included two high school games, raised money to support dependents of U.S. Army Rangers.
"This is one of the coolest venues I've ever played in," said Danowski, who played high school lacrosse at nearby Farmingdale. "Jimmy Regan is a hero of mine for all the things he did for his country. The fact that we can come out here and help that cause, to do something positive, is something we love to be a part of."
Army head coach Joe Alberici was an assistant at Duke during Regan's time there. Alberici said he would be in favor of making the game an annual event, which generated money for the "Lead The Way Fund." The Black Knights volunteered to give up a home game this season. It will be Duke's decision to also forgo a home contest next year when the two schools reunite.
"Jimmy was a terrific individual and a great human being," Alberici said. "Whether he was in the lineup or out of the lineup, he was all about his teammates. What he did after he graduated from Duke, in choosing to serve his country...there is not a nobler thing that any human being can do."
Added Duke head coach John Danowski: "You're humbled by the whole thing. It makes you realize what you have and how easy you have it. It makes you thankful for everything."
Even if the Black Knights were a long bus ride away from West Point, the crowd was decidedly pro-Army. A standing-room only crowd gathered on the Ed Walsh Field bleachers, which stand just feet away from the benches.
But the Blue Devils zapped any momentum Army built in the second half after Tyler Oates cut Duke's lead to 7-4. Oates capitalized on an extra-man opportunity, blasting his lone goal past Blue Devils goalie Dan Loftus (10 saves) at the 7:31 mark of the third quarter.
 Army's Mike Hanna bears the American flag. The Black Knights' game against Duke headlines the Lacrosse Day of Champions, a Long Island benefit for dependents of fallen U.S. Army Rangers.  |
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"In the first half, I thought Duke did a good job of putting our defensive people in the right spot," Alberici said. "In the second half, they scored three brilliant goals. I felt like we stiffened defensively. [But] being as good as they are, they are still going to get goals."
Duke held Army leading scorer Justin Bokmeyer to just one goal on three shots, forcing the senior into four turnovers. No Black Knight scored more than once, while the Blue Devils established a 36-20 edge in ground balls.
"Their goalie did an unbelievable job," John Danowski said. "I don't remember playing against a goalie who ever made 24 saves. The Army kids are never going to quit. Coach Alberici knows our players well, having coached many of them for a long time."
