Friday, May 7, 2004

Lacrosse team closing out season

The Peachtree City high school lacrosse team saved their best for last and never looked better, rebounding from two recent close losses in a dynamic victory on the road against Gwinnett. The win in the final regular season game moves their season record to 10-2 overall and 9-2 in the North Georgia Lacrosse League.

PTC quickly went up 3-0 in the first quarter and only played better throughout the game. David Dye led all scorers with seven goals with a strong performance by sophomore Patrick Schneider (two goals). Goalie Dan Griffin played perhaps the best game of his all-star career as PTC dominated in every aspect of the game. Mark Nichols controlled the face-offs, and defensemen Michael Kwan, John Gatell and Mitchell Lentini shut down the strong Gwinnett offense. The team play and ball movement that has become synonymous with this program just took over from there.

The win gives the team the best record in the NGLL (9-2), above Marist (8-3) and Woodstock (7-4). On the season, PTC outscored opponents 150 goals scored versus just 50 goals given up. The two games recently lost were by a total of just three goals. The average winning differential in goals was by over seven goals compared to only three from their closest rival. The team finishes number one in the national power rankings (LaxPower.com) for all non-varsity high school club lacrosse programs in the state of Georgia.

However, in a somewhat controversial policy instituted by the league two years ago, the team had two of their wins not count for the purpose of final league standings by playing strong competitors twice and having only the second game count towards league standings. The policy was originally put in place by the league to deal with games cancelled due to inclement weather and never removed.  The net result was a three way tie for the title of League Champions, NGLL, which was then awarded to Woodstock in a controversial tiebreaker despite the fact that PTC and Woodstock split their two games, with PTC ahead on net goal differential, 2-1.

”Of course we are disappointed,” commented head coach Mike Muetzel. ”We were not aware the policy was still in place, which was our mistake at the beginning of the year in the scheduling meeting. But it is only a title, and wins stay on the board in the national rankings, and in the hearts of the kids that played so hard all season.”

On an extremely positive note, the success of this year’s season culminated in four PTC players being named to the All League Team, the most ever awarded for the program. Dan Griffin (goalie), Madison Seward (midfield), Brian Rosetti (midfield) and David Dye (attack) were named to the prestigious squad.

The team loses a number of key seniors at midfield and defense, but returns many starters including the four recently named as all stars for next season. PTC concludes their season by playing in a final high school tournament May 15 at Murphy Candler Park.