Quakers Upset the Rams for Division 1 Lax State Title
Monday, June 07, 2010
It was a triple-e day at Rhode Island College Sunday. In the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s division one boys lacrosse championship game the effort, execution and excitement was outstanding!
However, after the thrilling 9-8 overtime win by Moses Brown over LaSalle Academy, one thing was very clear. The difference in emotions for the winner and loser is nowhere near proportionate to how the game was played.
As the Quakers joyfully celebrated back-to-back state titles, the Rams were fighting to hold back the tears of disappointment. The game was not televised on ESPN. If it had been, it would have been an instant classic. It was one of the best high school lacrosse games this state has ever seen.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Quakers jumped out to a quick two goal lead on LaSalle which entered the game as the top seed in division one with a 14-0 record. But the Rams would answer quickly with three unanswered goals and the game was on.
Moses Brown entered as the #2-seed at 14-3 and clearly the underdog having lost twice to the Rams in the regular season. But the Quakers had the “x”-factor in senior goaltender Nick Capalbo. If the Quakers were to pull off the upset, he would have to play well. And play well he did.
While he officially made 9 saves on the day, his impact seemed much greater than that. Capalbo’s ability to start the transition game with great clearing passes and overall instinct for the game made it evident that he is the best goaltender in the state of Rhode Island.
Still, LaSalle led by two goals early in the 4thquarter and the capacity crowd knew that a 3-goal Ram lead might mean the end of Moses Brown’s chance at another state title.
The Quakers responded. While Wes Hardman led the offense in the first half for Moses Brown scoring 3 goals for the Quakers, he may have worn down a bit in the heat and humidity of the second half. No problem. Sophomore Cole Morrissette picked up the scoring slack with 3 goals for the Quakers.
LaSalle did a great job of taking away the dangerous David Appolonia from the Moses Brown offensive attack most of the day. However, Appolonia did find the back of the cage once and it came at the most important time – with seven seconds left in overtime. It sent the Moses Brown fans and bench into a frenzy. Not only had they knocked off undefeated LaSalle, but they won the state championship while doing so.
Teammates Geoff Hogan and Chris Romano scored the other goals for Moses Brown.
The Rams were led offensively by Brady O’Donnell, Andrew Messner, Ryan Poirier and Michael Kemmy each of whom had 2 goals. Messner was outstanding on faceoffs as well.
It may sound like a cliché to say that it was a shame that one team had to lose, but that truly was the case on Sunday. “First and foremost I want to tip my hat to Steve O’Donnell and LaSalle,” Moses Brown coach Mike Fraioli said. “That was one terrific game of lacrosse the way it was meant to be played. You had two teams playing hard. It was a great game.”
O’Donnell agreed saying, “that really was a great game with two teams playing lacrosse the way it should be played. I thought Capalbo was the difference. He’s a terrific player and made a lot of big stops for them today.”
Capalbo was named the game’s most outstanding player and he was thrilled to end his career with another state title. “Winning back-to-back championships is a great way to go out,” he said. “I just felt like I was ready for this game before it started this morning and I’m happy we were able to come out and win.”
This is the third straight season that LaSalle has finished with the best regular season record in division one and the third straight year they failed to end with a victory. The Rams finished 2010 at 14-1.
Moses Brown coach Mike Fraioli has now won two state titles in as many seasons as head coach of the Quakers. They finished 2010 at 15-3.
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