Green and Gold Standard

Classical Lacrosse Reaches New Heights; Earns First-ever Tourney Berth

( Reprinted Courtesy of the Lynn Journal )

The Lynn Classical High School boys lacrosse team celebrated its historic season at a breakup awards banquet last Thursday night.
The Rams qualified for the MIAA State Tournament for the first time, finishing with an 11-7 regular season record under fifth-year head coach Chris Simbliaris.
Simbliaris was named the Northeastern Conference Coach of the Year but he focused all the attention on his players and the outstanding parent boosters organization who organized the banquet.
“It was a successful season,” said Simbliaris. “We were 5-11 last year but I expected to make the tournament this year. We had great leadership with our senior captain Mark Duran, who was a four year player.”
Simbliaris called upon Duran, an Honorable Mention NEC all-star, at the banquet to accept the Northeastern Conference South Division championship trophy.
Jared Ward, an NEC all-star, received the team’s Most Valuable Player Award. Ward scored 51 goals and had 19 assists. Dave DeBerardinis was the team’s Offensive MVP and an NEC all-star. DeBerardinis scored 31 goals and had 35 assists.
A third potent force in the Rams’ offensive attack was senior Devon Dupuis, a two-time NEC all-star who scored 21 goals and had 31 assists. Brendan Slepoy, a junior, also made a strong contribution to the Rams’ prolific offense. “We look for Brendan to be a go-to guy next season,” said Simbliaris.
Greg Gaudet, the Rams’ junior goaltender, was named the team’s Defensive MVP. He was an NEC Honorable Mention all-star.
Ryan Civiello, who switched from midfield to defense for his senior season, played tenacious defense. Chris Voyiagis, a sophomore defenseman, enjoyed another solid season as a second-year starter. “Chris plays effortlessly out there,” said Simbliaris. “He basically takes the ball from all the opposing attackmen. It’s just amazing the way he plays the game.”
The team’s top faceoff men were Sean Deary and Steve DelVecchio. “It was great to have such a strong 1-2 combination on the faceoffs,” said Simbliaris, who is a teacher in the Lynn school system and a former lacrosse player at Salem State College.
Forty-seven players participated on the Classical varsity and junior varsity teams this season. Assisting Simbliaris were coaches Jimmy Ward, a former Classical player and the brother of team MVP Jared Ward, and Pat Harkness, a former Classical captain.
“We feel our program is definitely on the rise,” said Simbliaris. “Lynn Youth Lacrosse is a big help. It was an historic season. We were conference champions and made the state tournament. We have the building blocks for the future.”

 

Varsity Lacrosse vs Lynn English  5/25/06

"This is the most important game of the year. If we win this game, we go to the Regional Playoffs," said the Coach.

This could be the seniors last game. But Jared Ward decided beforehand   "  Let's win this one for Coach Simbilaris! "  ( Jared, #2, scored five times and had two assists.)

Staff Photos using new website camera, Canon Rebel Digital SLR

    

      

 

 

              

Final Score Classical 19, English 10

Classical Lacrosse Team Defeats English
By Mario DiNitto / For the Item, Thursday, May 25, 2006

In a showdown of ancient rivals, Classical and English met on the hallowed grounds of Hood Park to hammer out their annual lacrosse game. When the sounds of horns, clashing metal, and combatant shouting gave way to tired bodies and clearing dust, the Rams stood victorious, 19-10.
    Classical was fueled by an offensive trident of Dave DeBeradinis, Devon Dupuis, and Jared Ward. Dupuis paced the Rams from beginning to end, totaling eight points off a hat trick and five assists. DeBeradinis added four goals and three assists. Ward scored five times and tossed in two assists.
    "Ward has had just a stellar season. He has played very well for us," said Classical coach Chris Simbliaris. "He is definitely our go-to guy."
    At the end of the first quarter the score was tied at four as both teams traded goals. For English, Ryan Barrington scored two of his three goals in the quarter, including a beautiful behind-the-back shot. A feisty Dan Powers also recorded two goals in the first frame.
    The second quarter featured more of what the crowd on hand witnessed in the first; physical and sometimes chippy play was interspersed with offensive explosions. While the Bulldogs managed to stay within a goal of Classical for most of the half, the Rams put their foot down on the scoring pedal.
    Leading 6-5, the Rams scored three goals in the final 2:16 of the half to gain a 9-5 edge heading into intermission. Bobby Meaney scored his second goal of the game, which was quickly followed by a Mark Duran score. Ward added his second of the game with a little over a minute remaining in the half.

     "The first half went pretty good for us, but Classical has some pretty good scorers, a good offense," said English coach Kevin Driscoll. "Once they got the lead, they were able to capitalize on it."
     The second half featured Classical focusing on controlled play while the deficit the Bulldogs faced forced their hand into frantic and one-on-one offense. The Ram defense buckled down and tightened the net on the Bulldogs in the third, allowing only Scott Fiore to score twice. Fiore finished the game with a hat trick. No other Bulldog got close to the net.
     "When Classical got their lead, we started forcing the offense. When we forced it, we started turning the ball over. Our scoring opportunities were not as good as the first half because we were trying to catch up," said Driscoll.     As the teams lined up for a fourth quarter, Classical held a 12-7 lead. They continued their measured pace well into the fourth quarter.    English made a last gasp attempt to get back in the game with about seven minutes remaining. Down 15-8, the Bulldogs got consecutive goals thirty seconds apart from Mike Boland and Josh Seaman. Seaman finished the game with three points as he also recorded two assists.
     Not to be outdone, Classical scored the final four goals of the game, including Corey Sheehan recording his third goal and Brendan Slepoy chalking up a goal.
     "We were looking to work on the offense; we really hadn't scored many goals coming into this game. We've picked up now on the lack of scoring," said Simbliaris.

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