Tournament results: Canton-Dec 26th 2004 * Greenfield-Dec 19th, 2004

Canton Sports Complex
December 26, 2004
RAPTORS ELITE CHAMPIONS

Sunday, December 26th, 2004, our first every tournament championship! What a great day to be a RAPTOR!

First things first, congratulations Raptors Elite! Great game, great day! Make no mistake about it the Raptors have arrived! The Raptors are here and have no intentions of once again becoming extinct. After our first outing in Greenfield, the Black and Green traveled through the snow down to Canton and are on the field once again. This time the results were slightly different, 4 wins 1 loss and the tournament champions.

When I think back upon the games on Sunday and try to determine what these guys have which allows them to win and be so highly competitive even in losing situations. I would have to say it is the mutual respect they have for each other, which in turn has spawned a special bond of friendship and confidence. They play so unselfishly, willing to share the glory of the game with their teammates so openly, so graciously. They play as a team, elite, special. Special, because very rarely do you get to experience an environment where there is such a high level of mutual respect among each and every player for his teammates abilities and contributions to a team. When you develop this rare type of relationship, winning and losing become irrelevant; you have established higher goals. You’re driven by your contributions to the team and your teammates. There is an aura surrounding this team, which brings out the very best in each and every one of you. This is that special quality, the essence that will separate you from all of the teams you will play against in the future. This is the rare gift you have all found within each other. Treasure it; for it is far more valuable then any tournament win you will ever experience. This is the essence of Raptors Elite!

The Greenfield Tournament
Sunday, December 19, 2004

This past Sunday afternoon the Raptors Elite team traveled to Greenfield Massachusetts to compete in our first ever lacrosse tournament finishing in second place. I have to tell you, the boys in the “Black and Green” uniforms put on a dazzling display of athleticism and sportsmanship and were the talk of the tournament. Fellow Raptors, they did us proud.

For the record, we did not finish first in the standings and, yes; Coach Lord and his team were extremely disappointed that they did not bring us home the win. Not one player on this Elite team, nor Coach Lord, likes or accepts anything but winning. However, if you were there to see these guys play the games. If you could have witnessed the level of intensity each and everyone of these guys played with, then you would understand that the win was secondary to their incredible efforts, unselfishness and demeanor on the field. Ask me who stood out? Who scored the key goals? Who was the player that made the difference? The answers to these questions are the following.

     The team was the key player.
     The team was the high scorer.
     The team made the big difference.

Who makes up the Raptors Elite team and where are they from?

Brendon Gill, Chelmsford (Goalie)
Eric Campbell, Wellesley (Goalie)
Scott Grillo, Wellesley (Defense)
Mike Stone, Wellesley (Attack)
Chris Teves, Wellesley (MidField)
Justin Rodis, Lincoln Sudbury (MidField)
Cory Crosby, Salem (MidField)
Connor Murphy, Beverly (MidField)
J.P. Wioncek, Beverly (MidField)
Mike Jordon, Groton (Attach)
Eric Hanson, Andover (MidField)
Dan Granfield, Billerica (Attack)
Chris Martineau, Billerca (MidField)
Nick Pinto, Billerica (Defense)
Dave Scarfo, Billerica (Attack)

These 15 players have set the bar for all of the other Raptors Elite players to follow. They played the game at a level of skill you would expect of elite players. They made incredible passes, shots, defensive plays and great saves in goal. They hustled on the field, fought for ground balls, and dived to beat their opponents to the end line for possession after the shot. Their brilliant, crisp passing of the ball illustrated an unselfishness and confidence in each other, which surpassed all of the other teams present that day. They forced their competitors as well as the spectators in the crowd to stand up and take notice of a team, a group of players who played hard, played to win and were not willing to sacrifice their ethics or high standards of sportsmanship for personal gain. They had the look of great players and more than that; they proved themselves, each and every one of them to be great players. All day long the buzz in the bubble was “who are these kids and where are they from”?

Typically, second place is not something that earns you bragging rights. However, on Sunday these guys earned the privilege to walk away with their heads high. They played hard, they played fair, and they played with “class”. The greatest thing they earned that Sunday and have no doubt in your minds they got it, was respect!

Respect not only as a truly strong competitive team and players, but respect as great young men whose athletic abilities are only matched by their sportsmanship and manners. The Raptors program is very proud to be associated with each and every one of them. We believe the greatest compliment you could give to a young player or young man is this; “that we would hope that the younger players in our league would aspire to be just like them” this team, this group of fine young men. Elite in every sense of the word.