MARAUDERS TOPPLE RED RAIDERS FOR NINTH STRAIGHT MMAA TITLE

The Monsignor Martin boys lacrosse championship game, played on Tuesday evening at the Demske Sports Complex at Canisius University between St. Joe’s and St. Francis, was going to bear fruit of one of two crucial outcomes.

If the Marauders won, St. Joe’s would capture their ninth consecutive private school title – no doubt a dynastic achievement. Had the Red Raiders emerged victorious, they would not only put an end to St. Joe’s glorious run but they would also capture their first championship since 2007.

The latter outcome nearly came true when the contest went to overtime, but a goal by Mason Snyder ended those dreams and kept the Marauders’ reign alive by winning 5-4.

“The whole game you're wondering, who's going to make the play? When's the shoe going to drop?” Marauders coach Peter Hudecki said. “Both teams were playing so hard with a lot of energy and emotion. And it was a real emotional game. So from a coaching perspective, you're just sitting there, you're trying to tweak things and make things right, but it's in the kids’ hands at that moment. It's hoping that they're going to follow through. 

“Luckily it happened for us, and I’m real proud of the guys for just playing hard the whole game, and they didn't quit.”

Shawn Turri/WNYAthletics

Right from the opening faceoff, this game would prove to be different from the average lacrosse contest. Physical and low-scoring, it would come down to a battle of patience and who had a bigger will to win.

“We just told our guys to stay patient and the scoring chances will come,” Hudecki said. “The effort level on both teams was so extreme. Guys were getting pieces of sticks on shots because they were just exerting so much energy in this game. It was a great game to watch and our guys played tough.”

It was the type of match where one team would score – in this case, St. Francis – but the other (St. Joe’s) would answer quickly. Landon Welka got the Red Raiders on the scoreboard first with 9:22 left in the first quarter but barely a minute later Andrew Polisoto tied the score for St. Joe’s. Welka put St. Francis in front again late in the first but two minutes later Snyder got his first goal of the game to knot it up at two apiece.

Tucker Jobe scored shortly after to put St. Francis in front 3-2, and that score would last until late in the third quarter when Elijah Freeman tied it for St. Joe’s. Again, the Red Raiders would take the lead when Josh Sikorski put his team in front early in the fourth stanza of play but the Marauders continued to fight back as Freeman would get his second of the contest almost two minutes later.

Hudecki credited his players for learning how to never say die throughout the season.

“Early in the season, that wasn't the way we were doing it,” Hudecki said. “They learned through many lessons of some hard losses this year. When we played McQuaid Jesuit (Rochester) was when I think the guys decided that this is enough and we want to fight back. And they started coming out fighting and swinging every game.”

Another factor in keeping the Marauders in the game was senior goaltender Ryan Grimm, who was the game’s Most Valuable Player with 10 saves.

“We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs this season with some unfortunate losses but huge wins like tonight,” Grimm said. “It’s team morale – our coaches and captains just keeping us up and happy no matter what happens. I’m just grateful for everyone here.”

“Grimm played out of his mind,” Hudecki said. “He had saves that were point-blankers that made us realize that without him, we're not in this game. He was very impressive.”

The title was then won in the extra period of play when Snyder took a pass from teammate Griffin Vranjes and buried it in the net with 2:04 remaining.

“Overtime is such a frustrating time because lacrosse is a very emotional game,” Hudecki said. “But I just find out that the more I coach, the more I just sit back and watch. You prepare the kids all week but today’s their day to shine, and if I'm on them about stuff they're not going to be able to focus on what their job is. “That makes a big difference, and it did today.”