LELL
LELL 2023 Championship Preview
On Sunday, the 2022-2023 season will conclude with the much anticipated LELL Championship Sunday. It’s been a heck of a run so far, and don’t expect the fire to die until champions are crowned in each division on Sunday morning!
In our youngest division (2031s and 2032s) the Nomads and the Astronauts will square off one more time in what will almost certainly be a tightly contested battle down to the very last whistle. Goalies Nick Hodges (Nomads), Maverick Pritchett (Astronauts) and Hugo Brown (Astronauts) have been nothing short of outstanding so far. They all save far more shots than they let in, and Championship Sunday will likely feature more of the same from our stalwart ball-stoppers. That won’t scare the divisions most adept scorers, though. The Nomads fearsome trio of Brody Davis (Littleton, MA), Evan Coe (Nashoba), and long range cannon Brady Charbonneau (Hudson, MA) are all capable of scoring at will, when their shots are on the frame. Hold on – before you place your bets on the Nomads, you better account for the Astronauts’ adept inside finishers. Joshua Yoo (Lexington, MA), Kellen Walsh (Bedford, MA), and lefty sniper Keegan O’Hara (Lancaster, MA) will all put up their fair share of points too. Ryder Reesey (Nashoba), league journeyman (he has played for both the Astronauts and the Nomads at various points in the season), could be the difference maker in this one, depending on which team is lucky enough to acquire his services for the morning. Hold on to your hats, folks!
In Division #2 (2029s and 2030s), it’s anyones race. The Whipsnakes sit in first place going into championship Sunday, and have the talent to back up their place at the top of the rankings. Tye Reesey (Nashoba) leads in the league in goals and is the only player to have over 50 tallies over the course of the season. On the back end, Sammy Melanson (Portsmouth, RI) has been a brick wall and defensive leader all season, his save percentage has hovered around 50% every week. In our offense heavy league, that’s an achievement in and of itself. The Whips’ will be squaring off against the #4 seed Archers in the first round, who, despite being in the final ranking slot, have a respectable 8-11 record on the season. The Archers’ Will Beckler (Littleton, MA) and Jake Small (Concord, MA), two adept left handed goal scorers, have been averaging about 3 goals a game the entire season, and don’t show any sign of slowing down.
Seeds #2 and #3 round out the first round of the division 2 playoff scene. At #2 sit the Waterdogs. James Dee (Acton, MA) and Will Meany (Jefferson, MA) can score at will, and have combined for almost 8 goals per game when they are clicking. James Cho (Lexington, MA) has emerged as one of the league’s preeminent ball stoppers, and was saving at an almost 60% clip last week! #3 seed Redwoods deserve our attention too; John Caldwell (Arlington, MA) and Colin Woods (Concord, MA) lead the team in scoring and, when they are on, they are as dangerous in transition as anyone.
This 2029 and 2030 division has improved a ton over the past two months and we are all excited to watch them peak this weekend!
The big fellas round out the day. Our 2027s and 2028s are all hungry to take home the championship prize and bragging rights until next year. There are 4 first round games, all worth watching in their own right:
#1 Machine vs. #8 Launch
- #1 Machine – The Machine success this season should be no surprise to anyone. Alek Chase (Wayland, MA), netminder, has hovered as close as anyone to 50% save percentage on the year, and if fresh off a box lacrosse championship heading into Sunday. Carter Richard (Holden, MA) and Luke Nofsinger (Algonquin) carve up opposing defense like no other duo in the league.
- #8 Launch – The Launch are led by Thomas Anderson (Holden, MA), who averages almost 6 goals per weekend w/ about as many assists to anyone willing to catch his feeds!
#2 Cannons vs. #7 Lizards
- #2 Cannons – They might be the #2 seed, but the league’s most feared trio of Will Batchelor (Acton, MA), Carson Garon (Charlton, MA), and lefty finisher Will Parks (Sudbury, MA) have their eyes on the prizes. All three of them have had 10+ goal weekends so far this year and if they are all on point, they’re the league favorite to take home the title.
- #7 Lizards – Sean McCarthy (Canton, MA) and Colton Corey (Littleton, MA) lead the lizards in scoring, and have upset potential if they are not accounted for.
#3 Outlaws vs. #6 Rattlers
- #3 Outlaws – League leading goalkeeper Rex Garozzo (Sudbury, MA) leads the league in total saves and averages over 20 stops per week. With Rex in the cage, if he gets hot, the Outlaws will be tough to best.
- #6 Rattlers – Between Alex Fivek’s (Concord, MA) downhill dodging and Tommy Meany’s (Jefferson, MA) leadership in net, it’s a surprise to many that the Rattlers ended the season at the #6 seed. If you’re looking for your dark horse for the championship, you’ve found it.
#4 Bayhawks vs. #5 Hounds
- #4 Bayhawks – Thomas Quirk’s (Acton, MA) all around offensive play has been a nuisance for opposing defenses this year. He averages just under 10 goals per weekend and always sprinkles in some assists. Anderson Coe (Nashoba) is one of the area’s most formidable long poles and strikes fear into the hearts of attackers league wide.
- #5 Hounds – Max Maloney (Algonquin) and AJ Moan (Holden) anchor the Hounds back on defense, and Tyler Deede (Sudbury) has emerged as one of the league’s most adept stick handlers!