CLCF U13 Boys Snag State Lacrosse Championship

The following was sent along by Kerri Kelleher:

Seven years… That’s how long ago it was that a group of parents got together and brought lacrosse to the CLCF family.   That’s how many years these young men and women practiced, scrimmaged, and played their hearts out before their ultimate goal was achieved.  The u13 boys, made up of mainly 7th grade players, finally achieved the highest honor in RI lacrosse – they were crowned Rhode Island Youth Lacrosse League’s Division II state champions.

The Thunderbirds finished the regular season 10-1-2, and also made an appearance playing at Harvard Stadium before the Boston Cannon’s MLL game.  Coaches Johnny Belsky, Josh Hargraves, and league president and head coach, Pete Kelleher, worked with these young men to develop not just their individual skills, but to make them into a team that could work together and trust in themselves and each other.  “It should never be about the coaches, and it shouldn’t be about individual egos.  These gentlemen have learned trust, respect, and the true elements of being a team.  I knew, from watching some of these boys over the last few seasons, that if they did what I knew they were capable of doing, as a team, that we had a real shot at winning this season.”  Kelleher said.

They made their road to the finals much like their regular season victories; by playing one quarter at a time, and fighting for each goal.  The matchup for the finals was against fierce rivals Island Lacrosse. The regular season game between them ended up in a draw after it was called due to a serious medical injury on the field.  Both teams came into the game ready to play, and to play hard.

Goalie Liam Moore, a 6th grader from Orchard Farms, was the glue needed in this game, keeping the team to within one goal at all times.  At the end of each quarter, the score was tied - but by the last whistle, the Thunderbirds had made history, winning the state championship, with a final score of 9 to 6.  Brendan Kelleher, a 7th grader from Western Hills, had a single game career high 5 goals, and 2 assists.  Also scoring were teammates Mark Diore, Michael Boscia, and Michael DiMascolo.

The league celebrated their many successes of the season with a BBQ last weekend, featuring lax dodgeball, bounce houses, a dunk tank, and a radar gun to track their shots.

Fall lacrosse registration is already underway. To sign up, or for more information, visit their website, www.CLCFLax.com.