We're Competitive (more competitive than you)

By Reece

This past weekend Dan, Joe and I, headed North to my hometown for the annual Cape Cod Lacrosse Tournament. The tourney is run by Greg Clemens, arguably one of the greatest influences in my lacrosse career, as he has long been the primary promoter of lacrosse on Cape Cod. From the Cape Cod Lacrosse School - which I attended as a youth, and later coached - to the Cape Cod Summer Lacrosse League, originally just for men, but now with leagues for youths and women, to his general enthusiasm for the game, "Clemmy" has always brought in great players and coaches to facilitate the growth of the sport.

Until this year, I've spent every summer on Cape Cod and of course, played in the summer league. At the ripe old age of 25, I'm a veteran (not the eldest, but a veteran nonetheless). This year, I'm in NYC and I'm stuck playing in the Gotham League. It's generally good lacrosse, and I play with a good group of guys, but it'll never compare to the rivalries held on the Cape. Maybe it's because I don't work in finance, or just because I don't know the other players nearly as well as my friends (and rivals) on Cape Cod, or maybe it's just the hour-long subway ride on the A to get there, but I just don't get the same sense of competition as usual.

Actually, let me clarify that... I don't get the same sense of competition out of the other players. I often feel like I'm the only one who takes it seriously. I know. I know... "It's summer league/it's just for fun/it's not serious." Sorry... that never sat right with me. If I'm going to pay to play and travel an hour to get to the field, be certain I'm there to win. The best example I can give, was last week's game - the first round of the playoffs - when our opponents forfeited for lack of players (six showed up).

Back to the Cape Tourney...
Day 1 - Team Beach House (our team, and defending champions) took care of business. We beat the Warpigs 14-2, Gilbane Insurance 7-4, and (mostly) Endicott College 8-6. We played awesome team defense and headed to the beach for a few well-earned Blue Yummies.

Day 2 - Playoff game against the Shockers (a team I've always had a certain distaste for - perhaps it's the name) and we blow a 5 goal lead, hit their goalie in the chest (several times), and play pass with the pipes all 4th quarter to lose 7-6. Bitterness ensues. Claims are made to "quit lacrosse forever... again" and a seriously dark cloud passed over our sunny Sunday on the Cape.

There were three redeeming qualities about the tourney...

1. Goals Against Average = 4.5 goals per game, one of the best defenses I've been a part of - particularly impressive in tournament play.
2. Free beers at Trader Ed's.
   
3. Lots of fun playing with Dan (again), with Joe (for the first time), and all of the Beach House Buzzards (a.k.a. Ninjas).
4. Bonus! Dedicating "Return of the Mack" to Joe during the game and watching him try extra hard to score during it.
   

*HomeField Plug!* - I wish I'd had a scouting report on the Shockers. Their attack really didn't look like much, but one guy was picking low corners with his eyes closed. In retrospect, we should've slid early and stayed on the double every touch he got. [Hindsight's 20/20 though... ask Dan].

Quote that makes me feel good: "I love how you even get fired up about losing a 'fun' tournament. It's one of your most endearing qualities." - Caitlin. Appreciated. I'd say that goes for Dan and Joe, too, and I think it goes beyond endearing. *Overtime Media Plug!* - We're competitive. And in the start-up/entrepreneur/sports industry, that's a good thing. A really good thing.