Fall CELL
Fall CELL 2022 Championship Preview
#1 Seed: Winged River
CELL Regular Season Record: 15-0Semi-final Playoff Record: 3-0
Top Regular Season Scorer:Nick Beakey – 37 goals, 8 assists, 45 pointsTop Regular Season GoaltenderMarcos Ramos – 49% save pct.
The skinny on Winged River – Winged River has proverbially gone wire to wire, and appeared to be poised to defend their Fall CELL Championship, which they’ve won far more often than not over the last several years. Nick Beakey emerged as a leading scorer, but a trio of other seniors, all bound to play collegiate lacrosse at a high level next year, are at least as dangerous as top dog Beakey. When these seniors, Brendan Poirier, Anthony Stillwell and Henry Salyer, are all present with their collective feet on the gas, it would honestly be quite a surprise to many to see Winged River dethroned. Add to that the very capable supporting cast, and it’d be more surprising still. That said, the #2 and #3 seeds have come very close before…
#2 Seed: Pioneers
CELL Regular Season Record: 12-3Semi-final Playoff Record: 2-1
Top Regular Season Scorer:Eric Brooks – 32 goals, 27 assists, 59 pointsTop Regular Season Goaltender:Aaron Ricketts – 59% save pct.
The skinny on the Pioneers – A fiercely competitive and at-times fiery crew, the Pioneers are athletic, determined and simply very good. Last week, they made the surprising decision to forgo playing their final game officially vs. Winged River given the fact that both teams won their two prior games. If nothing else, this only heightened the anticipation for the inevitable showdown. In addition to the aforementioned Brooks, AJ Amamndolare, Blake Forrester and Nolan Henaghan can all flat-out score, and do so in a balanced way. Standout goalie Aaron Ricketts is reported to have sustained an injury, and how the Pioneers go about filling that apparent void will be interesting if not downright pivotal.
#3 Seed: Stoics
CELL Regular Season Record: 11-4Semi-final Playoff Record: 3-0
Top Regular Season ScorerWill Gaynor – 28 goals, 20 assists, 48 pointsTop Regular Season GoaltenderCody Philpott – 44% save pct.
The skinny on the Stoics – If Winged River has proven to be a proverbial Goliath in recent years, Stoics, it may be said, have proven most capable of playing the role of David. But indeed, given the general comparability of these two teams, the David/Goliath analogy probably isn’t the right one. It definitely isn’t when the Stoics are at their best. Gaynor is their clear leader in offense, but other scorers, like Liam Teto, definitely contribute. And defensemen, like Taylor Wiercinski, Auggie Swartwood and Griff Bast not only prove formidable for opposing offenses, but can really score as well. Goaltender Cody Philpott is young but very capable of saving balls in bulk, and it’s been great to see the Stoics rally around him.
#4 Seed: Hounds
CELL Regular Season Record: 8-7Semi-final Playoff Record: 2-1
Top Regular Season ScorerJacob Thibodeau – 56 goals, 9 assists, 65 pointsTop Regular Season GoaltenderWill Cohen – 53% save pct.
The skinny on the Hounds – The most consistent, committed player on this team has been exceptional attackman Jacob Thibodeau. He plays the game with an almost reckless assertiveness that leads to bountiful productivity (and, I’m sure, more than a few bruises). Hayden Cody, a face off man who does much more, is also pivotal, as are both goalies, Will Cohen and Arjun Rath. If one were to see a path to a 2022 CELL Fall Championship, it’ll come down to the attendance of those players who have over the course of the session proven to be catch as catch can. If players like Nick Moore, Andrew Matarese and Matt Egan all show, this team can beat anyone. League directors are hoping they show, even if the three higher ranked teams might not be.