Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/19/16
From press Release
Penn*Lax All-Stars completed its second ever box tournament this past weekend in DC. Both teams finished with silver medals against outstanding competition, and finished with identical 3-1 records on the day.
The Penn*Lax high school team shocked mighty Team 91 by storming its way to an 8-6 victory over the perennial Long Island powerhouse. It was perhaps the first time in years a Team 91 High School team suffered a defeat in box lacrosse.
Penn*Lax’s second game was not any easier against a loaded Sweet Lax team from upstate New York, heavy with box experience including a number of extremely talented Native American players. Penn*Lax led Sweet Lax the entire game, however, Sweet Lax sent the game into overtime. Penn*Lax emerged victorious in the shootout, winning, 11-10.
Goals in the best of 3 shootout came from Chris Haldczuk (La Salle, Yale) and Dru Miller (Parkland, Quinnipiac). Axel Beskar, only a freshman at Souderton High School, stoned two Sweet Lax players including a highlight real flailing stick save to ice the victory during the shootout.
Penn*Lax stamped its ticket to the Championship game by beating host team DC Northstars in yet another one goal victory. Eventually Penn*Lax fell in the championship to Blue Star lacrosse, an extremely athletic and mature, box only travel team out of South Jersey.
There were many standouts on the High School team including Joel Trucksess (Haverford, Lehigh) who dominated the face-off X while making some impressive goals and assists in transition. Alex Scalamendre (St Joe’s Prep, Navy) was the engine that powered the Penn*Lax machine, seemingly never getting tired and contributing defensively, on loose balls, transition, and outside shooting. Sophomore Drew Bregman (Lenape Valley, Uncommitted) was a key scorer.
The Penn*Lax middle school team similarly had a phenomenal day. Its only loss came on the first game of the tournament, losing to eventual Champion Sweet Lax 5-3. The team went on to win 3 straight games from that point on against Bucktown Lacrosse (NC), Empire LC (NY) and Northstars (DC).
The Penn*Lax HS team won a silver media
Penn*Lax all-stars is a box only travel team consisting of the best players in Pennsylvania. The program is designed as to not conflict with existing travel team schedules, while reaping the benefits of playing the box game and learning from the professional Penn*Lax staff. Penn*Lax has two remaining tournaments including Resolute Midwest Classic in Ohio mid February and USBOXLA nationals in California next August.
Learn more about Penn*Lax All Stars here:
Penn*Lax Coach Luke Wiles addresses the middle school team
Penn*Lax HS All-Stars.