Pleasanton U13A Hurricanes Win NorCal Boys Lacrosse Championship

To submit youth results from your league, contact Regional Sports Editor Kyle Bonagura at kbonagura@gmail.com. 

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The Pleasanton 13A Hurricanes went into the NorCal Lacrosse playoffs last weekend as the No. 5 seed.  After taking out the No. 4 Walnut Creek Warriors and then the No.1 undefeated Diablo Scorpions on consecutive days, they played No. 3 Novato this Saturday in the Gold Medal game on Treasure Island.  It was a close fought battle that saw the Hurricanes edge out Novato 7-6.

Proving they were a deeply talented team, the seven goals were scored by seven different players.  Middie Michael Grozier, attacks Tristan Baylor and 6th-grader Bryce Veit, all scored in the first quarter with assists by middies Ryan Racer, Michael Grozier and Daniel Payne.  Attack Jevon Holland, a talented fourth grader, scored in the second quarter with an assist by Tristan Baylor.  Going into the second half, Novato had managed to close the score to 4-3.

The third quarter saw momentum switch back and forth the score was tied at 5-5, with help from a goal by middie Max Gershman.

Novato struck first in the final quarter for the go-ahead goal, but Daniel Payne managed to score an unassisted goal to tie it up once again.

As the clock ticked down, Grozier once again found his man in Eric Carrolan to score the game winning goal.

Once again a strong defensive effort came from Colin Roeder, Brody West, Sean Tomonari and Nicholas Brum, with Trey Cranney having a stellar day in goal.

Other standouts were Ben Smedley, who was always present in the attack and middies Brooks Bain, Aaron LaCourse, Mark Gaynor, Griffin O'Brien and Alex Pappis.  Sean Maloney, sidelined with injury, was there to support his teammates.

The Hurricanes are a very young team with big hearts.  Coached by Mark Cranney with help from Carl Baylor, Jack West, Charlie Pappis and Eric Veit, they proved that hard work and a will to succeed can lead to great rewards.