Sticking with it to the end | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

For most area middle school students, the first week of August marks the beginning of the end to summer. And with September lingering just around the corner, the school year got a little bit closer Monday evening as the Hero's Summer Lacrosse League came to a close for its Junior, Midget and Pee-Wee divisions.

All taking place on the upper fields of Anne Arundel Community College, the three sequential championship games were dominated by teams anchored in the Annapolis Youth Lacrosse Association.

The Junior bracket pitted a pair of 5-1 teams against one another, as the AYLA composite donning Navy Blue edged Brooklyn Park, 5-2, behind a solid performance in goal by Kellan McMahon.

Justin Leech led all AYLA scorers with two goals while Hale Bullen bolstered a defense that let just nine shots reach McMahon.

In the Midget division, AYLA dominated again, as Joe Ellis' crew defeated Severna Park, 10-3.

Davis Kitt and Tillman Meiser joined forces to stretch Severna Park's defense for three goals apiece, while Tucker Bullen and Timmy Troutner held Severna Park scoreless in the second half.

To round out the evening, AYLA's pee-wee collection outlasted Severna Park's youngsters by a score of 6-1.

Camden Stramanak and Luke Vaughters kept Severna Park scattered in its offensive end, keeping the Hornets scoreless until the final minute of the fourth quarter.

Keegan Smith and Timber Berzins found each other early in the second quarter for the game winning goal, as Mike Ruland added a pair of his own midway through the third.

"It's great to come out here and see these kids play lacrosse every year," said tournament and league director Jim McConnaughay, who has been with Hero's for over 20 years. "My boys, [Brett and Dustin
are still here in the league, and I love being around it. Once we get it all set up and ready to go, it's great watching the kids. They are what make it all worth it."

OPEN FINAL: Cornell attackman Christian Pastirik scored the winning goal 1:30 into overtime to lift Turner Green to an 8-7 victory over Mullen White in the Hero's Lacrosse Open Division championship game, held last Thursday at Anne Arundel.

Pastirik, a St. Mary's High graduate who will be a redshirt junior at Cornell, finished with three goals and two assists. Midfielder Garrett Stanwick (St. Mary's, Johns Hopkins) scored two goals and dished off two assists for Turner Green, which won the Open crown for the second time in the past three years. Middie Will Dalton (St. Mary's, Maryland) totaled a goal and assist and was a force on faceoffs.

Goalkeeper Peter Stewart, a recent St. Mary's High graduate who will continue his career at Washington College, was outstanding from start to finish -- piling up 16 saves, including several of the spectacular variety. Stewart anchored a superb defensive effort that limited a very potent offense. Will Jawish (Broadneck, Johns Hopkins), A.J. Armstrong (Broadneck, St. Mary's College), Sam White (Annapolis, Yale) and Alex Robertson formed a suffocating close defense while Charlie Stewart (St. Mary's, Colorado College) and Riley Hansen (St. Mary's, Navy Prep) keyed a defensive midfield that controlled play in terms of ground balls and clears.

Hansen and Roanoke-bound midfielder Pat Egan, both of whom were tremendous between the lines, are also recent St. Mary's High graduates.

"I was very impressed with how well our young players, especially Stewart in goal, performed against Mullen's group of All-Star players," head coach George Turner said.

Stanwick tied the game with a goal late in regulation and Turner Green began to control possession down the stretch, which proved crucial to the come-from-behind victory.

"We were able to keep the ball most of the time and tire out their defense," Turner said. "Our young legs were a big help against a veteran team that had not been beaten during the season."