Volume #11 with Kelly Carroll
The Boston Blazers defeated the Washington Stealth 11 to 9, with the final shot sending Blazer fans into a loud cheer. They played a great game; Mike Kirk (26) scored the first goal assisted by Greg Downing (8), followed up by the, Washington's Ratcliff (19) just a few minutes later. Anthony Cosmo, the Blazers’ goalie, played a great game, blocking many of the Stealth’s shots. After each of Cosmo's great saves, the fans would chant “Cosmo!” “Cosmo!” throughout the stadium. The stadium was alive with enthusiasm.
By the end of the half, the Blazers were in the lead 5-4 with goals by Dan Dawson (6) who scored one and assisted two, Daryl Veltman (16) and a last one from Brendon Thenhaus (10). The half ended in a bang and you could feel the excitement of the crowd. The third quarter began with a spark. The Blazers scored, making the score at 6-5. The crowd was screaming “Take a Seat” after Washington's Eric Martin got a two minute penalty for checking a Blazers’ player from behind. With about 3:40 left in the third, Thenhaus scored a goal and ended the Blazers’ heat in that quarter. Third quarter ended in a tie; the game was 7-7.
In the fourth quarter fans were heated and excited to watch the Blazers do what they do best and take the lead. Only a few minutes into the fourth, Bining (9) scored and broke the tie; it was now 8-7. From then on The Blazers’ defense did outstanding work and held Washington from scoring.
The Fourth quarter was really where the temperature increased. The Blazers and The Stealths were scoring left and right. You could see the fans sitting on the edge of their seats, and some were standing up to cheer. This is when The Blazers’ 2009 MVP and captain number (6) “Dangerous” Dan Dawson showed what he can do and broke the 9-9 score. He followed up with another goal that brought the fans to a standing cheer for the hot Blazers. At the end of the game, The Washington Stealths shook hands with the Blazers and went home with their third loss in a row, followed by their 6-0 start of the season. After a great win, you couldn’t help but notice the smiles on all of the Blazers’ fans’ faces, especially the children.
The Boston Blazers do a lot more than just play a great game. They offer opportunities for the youth lacrosse players to practice and learn from Boston’s best. They call it Blazers Academy, and they have a lot to offer. At the game, you can’t help but notice the amount of younger children there, hyped up with their lacrosse sticks and foam fingers flying in the air. February 27th happened to be college night, but it seemed that more youngsters were there than college students.
From a young lacrosse player’s perspective, the Boston Blazers are heroes. The Franklin and Duxbury youth lacrosse teams were getting pumped up for the half time show, where they would get to play on the Blazers’ field. These young Blazers’ fans love the game, and have something to look up to and strive for in their future. Having the opportunity to play on the big field was probably scary, but so exciting. It gave them the taste of what they possibly want in their future.
Blazers Academy offers one on one training, or training with a small group. The Blazers’ coaches and players will help teach and train the children. The program offers such a great opportunity for children who want to get better and continue playing as they get older. This can keep them going and give them the motivation to continue playing as they get older.
Starting sports at a young age is important. It gives kids the drive and the motivation to do what they need to in order to reach their goal. It teaches responsibility and independence, as well as working as a team. Keeping the interest alive in children can be tougher as they get older, but with the help of the Boston Blazers Academy, the love of lacrosse will continue to be alive. It will help children be involved with school, and away from bad things. “I want to be a famous player when I get older,” said one of the children when asked about what they want to do when they grow up. The father of the child went on to say that “starting sports at a young age is great; it teaches them life long lessons and will keep them off the streets.”
The Blazers Academy also offers a great opportunity for the coaches to come to the schools and help coach a local team. This is just another great opportunity for the children to become more involved and excel in something that will keep them motivated hopefully throughout their high school careers.
The heat and excitement of a Boston Blazers’ game will keep anyone smiling. They play a great game and are now standing at 5-4 for the season. Let’s hope they keep the fire going and keep on winning.
Kelly Carroll is a senior at Ipswich High School
The Blazers Beat is a student reporter program which provides high school students access to the Garden on game nights. Students will receive a media credential for a game of their choice, access to the post-game player and coach press conference and can write a game recap which the Blazers will help to publish with their local papers. For more information, contact Krista Olson, Marketing & Event Operations Manager at krista@blazerslacrosse.com.