File photo by Ray Nelson
Hofstra University-bound senior captain Korey Hendrickson (No. 14) scored the game-winner in overtime as Farmingdale beat Ithaca 12-11 to celebrate its first-ever state title on June 11. The Dalers were the only team from Long Island to take a state crown this year, marking the first time just one or no LI teams won it all since 2003, when none did.
It was a memorable – and meaningful – year for tristate area boys lacrosse.
Among the highlights:
- Farmingdale ends West Islip’s dynasty — and 40-game win streak — by beating the Lions in the Long Island Class A title game en route to the state title.
- Eventual state champ Wilton beats Darien in the Connecticut Class M state semis to halt the Blue Wave’s run of six straight state titles and quest for “Seven in ’11.”
- Summit’s 68-game win streak ends as Bridgewater-Raritan wins the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title game.
- Garden City defeats two-time defending state champ Manhasset twice, including in the Section 8 Class B title game.
- Ridgefield wins its first state title in 10 years, rallying to beat Fairfield Prep 11-10 in the Connecticut Division L title game.
- Yorktown reclaims Section 1 supremacy, beating John Jay in the Class B title game after a rare sectional-final loss in 2010 (to Lakeland/Panas).
All told, five of the seven championship games played in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate area were decided by one goal.
There was also an interesting trend, with a sharp increase in verbal college commitments by current high school sophomores.
Considering all that happened, it’s a tough task to pick what story was the biggest.
But we’re asking you to do just that.
Be sure to weigh in with your thoughts here.
And, don’t forget to cast your vote in our latest poll question, which asks: “What do you think was the biggest story in boys lacrosse in the tristate area in 2011?”
To vote, go to the right panel of this page. Then, just scroll past the “New Comments” and “Popular” tabs and click on “Poll,” and then cast your vote from the choices available, or write in your choice if it’s not listed.
While 2011 was interesting indeed, there’s also some college news to pass along that has big implications for 2012.
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Posted In: fciac, New Jersey lacrosse, Section 1, Section 11, Section 8, Section 9, You make the call
You had to mention the two GC games Joe. 😉 On another note, now that’s finally official and in this story, best of luck Connor English at Cornell!!
I think the pace at which sophs are commiting to DI programs is a story that cannot be ignored. The recruiting schedule will no doubt eventually trickle down in divisions and DIII teams will be filling their rosters with jr. commits. This is crazy imho, many athletes don’t mature physically at that point in their lives, add to that the fact that it will be harder for players to get seen by coaches if another year of playing is to be ignored. I just don’t see what the rush is, too many athletes will be missed.
Regarding the early recruituing, if a kid plays for a Summer travel team that doesn’t happen to choose tourneys properly or a college program doesn’t happen to be at the tourney or the college scout doesn’t happen to be at a particular game at the tourney or the college scout doesn’t happen to be paying attention; a lot of time and money goes down the drain. Many young boys mistakenly start to feel as though they are not capable and get very discouraged when they are not part of the early recruit declarations. In many cases this may just be a function of not being at the right place at the right time. Is getting on the radar worth the full time pressure and anxiety for the kids that may be accomplished players but in the wrong place? Do these frustrated potentioal stars turn away from the game because they feel they haven’t “made the grade” by the time they are Juniors?
gimme a stick/TB TOAD
Agree completely.
Someone on the other side of the issue mentioned early recruiting may be the best thing for an individual kid/parent depending on their circumstances so why interfere. True, could be perfect for a particular kid. But when an NCAA rule regarding this is formulated it has to make a judgement on what it considers in the best interests of the vast majority of young kids.