In what has quickly become a great and friendly rivalry, M&D 2021 followed up their 10-8 pool play win over YJ 2021 with a 9-8 OT thriller in the title match.
First observation is that BOTH teams are loaded with talent. Also, BOTH teams play a strong, physical game, but have the stick skills to justify it.
These are two really evenly matched teams and while M&D has had the best of it so far, these games are a coin toss.
There was some angst from the YJ parents in OT when M&D was awarded the ball on an illegal draw, and the M&D player took the awarded ball, weaved in and out of traffic (and several stick checks) and scored the game winner. The comments made were that since the draw foul was a minor foul and it was therefore and "indirect situation" that the M&D player was required to pass before a shot could be taken.
However, the rule book states the following:
"Illegal Shot (shoot from an indirect free position) A player may not shoot from an indirect free position until the ball is passed or her crosse has been touched or checked by a defense player’s crosse or play has been stopped due to a foul by the defense."
In the game, the crosse of the M&D player had been touched/checked by YJ players and according to the women's rule manual I am seeing on line, the shot was therefore legal.
Either way, the result is not as important as the effort and the quality of play. Both these teams are better teams tonight than they were on Friday as a result of having played each other twice this weekend.
See all you Yellow Jacket parents next weekend at the beach...you are a great group of parents and your daughters are TREMENDOUS lacrosse players.
