By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/26/17
Fusion’s Cole Lukasiewicz didn’t have much time to think as the final 8 seconds of overtime ticked away Sunday in the Boys’ Summer Slam 2018 AA championship game at Westtown School.
But Lukasiewicz was in the right spot as he scooped up a rebound and scored with 3 seconds to play, lifting Fusion (PA) to a 7-6 thriller over Brotherhood for the title.
Fusion 2018 wins the AA championship at the Boys’ Summer Slam
“He (Conor Gilfilan, 9 aves in second half) made a good save and I was just trying to crash the boards and see what was left,” said Lukasiewicz, an uncommitted attackman from Haverford High.
The winning goal occurred after Brotherhood had made a brilliant comeback from a 5-0 deficit, scoring five straight goals to make 5-5 and then tying it with 22 seconds left in regulation on a goal by Brett Paparozzi (Northern Highlands, NJ).
Andrew Albertson (Parkland), who won 11 of 15 face-offs for Fusion and added a goal and an assist, said his team has begun to jell.
.@FusionLax's Cole Lukasiewicz scores GW in Sunday's 7-6 OT win over Brotherhood in the Boys' Summer Slam 2018 AA title game @Victory_Events pic.twitter.com/sULExQzdjj
— Phillylacrosse.com (@phillylacrosse) June 26, 2017
“Our offense did well, and the defense did well,” said Albertson, a key player for Parkland’s run to the District 11 Class AAA championship and still uncommitted. “We started slowly last tournament, but this tournament we put it all together.
Fusion’s Andrew Albertson (left), Cole Lusakiewicz
“We moved ball well and worked well as a team.”
Added Lukasiewicz: “The defense stepped up and ax (Axell Beskar) made some big saves.”
Albertson said the Fusion coaches, who merge the box and field games, have had a big impact on his game. “The coaches are all pro players and half have played indoors in Canada,” he said. “They came here to coach us in the US and that has a big thing to due with our success.”
“Our coaches all have great philosophies and know how to explain the game,” added Lukasiewicz.