Premier Division Champions at the Champions Cup
The 2009 Comets went to Downington and conquered the more established field in the Premier Division of the top Champion Division, finishing first out of the 16 2009 teams in their division. This field included elite teams from all the lacrosse hot beads including Maryland, Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and others.
Although the Comets had a lack of bench depth, they didn’t need (nor have) any subs to become the Premier Champions. They started with a decisive win Friday night over a Westchester Elite 2009 club and the only loss of the weekend was a close one to an excellent Pa Express team by two goals. With the Comets leading midway thought the second half in heat of the mid morning; they just couldn’t hold on and ended up going down to Pa Express by two goals. Coach Vanessa defused the extremely tired and frustrated Comets and put everything in prospective. After rebounding with a big win against an over matched All State Navy squad, the Comets made the quarter-finals against their nemesis Ma Elite 2009 and this time the Comets would not be denied, winning 9-6 and moving on to the semi-finals against a strong Baltimore Ravens squad.
The Semi-finals were on field 2 and this group of young ladies never played better as a team. From the first draw and beautifully executed fast break goal, they controlled the entire game against a much more established and rested Ravens squad. It was obvious at the half that the Ravens were shocked that a team without any substitutes was winning 6-5 and the Comets seemed to have a second wind. This Comet team had poise, confidence and the patience that the coaches knew they were capable of and needed to defeat the Ravens. The second half became the ” Comet Shower “ with the D and goaltending shutting out the Ravens and the Comets scoring another 6 goals to win 12-6 and advance on to the finals.
The finals against an outstanding NBC team from the Baltimore area was a tough battle for the Comets that had just played 5 complete games in less than 48 hours without any subs or chances to rest during the 25 minute halves. The Comets came out strong and battled with a will to win that was inspired by every player fighting for every ground ball and missed shot. The midfield totally controlled the draws and the attack spread the field and showed great patience in shot selection. Mid way through the second half some might have thought that the Comets were going to give the game away when a justifiably tired midfield was going against fresh legs that got quite a few 6 v 5 fast breaks, but the D stopped them at the 8 and many shots were saved by some great goaltending. At the end of the game the Comets were 10-7 winners and crowned the Premier Division Champions, with the head of the IWLCA calling them true “Iron Women” for not only surviving but dominating the field of play with no substitutes.
The entire coaching staff congratulates the 12 ladies that showed unprecedented perseverance and determination to accomplish something that bigger and more experienced teams could not. This great effort and individual sacrifices did not go unnoticed. Many college coaches were on hand to watch the Comets in action. As the weekend went on the ladies played better and more focused, showing true unselfish teamwork and really depicting what is meant by “honoring the game”.