May. 11th, 2002 - Crickmrore creates Opportunities for Somoma Attack
Crickmrore creates Opportunities for Somoma Attack
By Rene Kozarsky
USLIA Tournament MVP M.J. Crickmore is a great midfielder. The awards he has won shows it-WCLL Tourney MVP, 1st Team All-USLIA, USLIA All Tourney Team, the list goes on and on. But Crickmore would only score two goals in Saturday's USLIA National Championship, which Sonoma State won 13-10 over Colorado State, a game that gave Sonoma their first national championship.
So why is two goals such a big deal? Because you have to respect his ability.
"We were mostly concerned with Crickmore," noted Colorado State Head Coach Flip Naumburg after the game. "We wanted (long stick middie) Mark Plonkey on Crickmore, that was the main matchup. I think we controlled him pretty well."
For a guy who had three points in the semis against BYU and four points in the first round against New Hampshire, I guess you could say they controlled him.
But the Sonoma State attack reaped the benefits of all the attention. Attackmen Will Burson, Mike Fritz, Ben Alexander and Ben Flynn would combine for nine of the Cossacks 13 goals.
"We really have four starting attackmen, it just so happens one has to come off the bench. They played great all year. They liked to play what we called Sonoma ball-its always one more pass, the open guy gets the goal and everyone's happy," added Sonoma Head Coach Doug Carl.
"M.J. Crickmore allowed himself to become a distraction to their team. He took what they gave him and we won. He created a distraction, every time he touched the ball, they were so worried about M.J. that everyone took two steps back. This is one of those instances that you can't judge a guy by the number of goals he gets," added the USLIA Coach of the Year.
As for Crickmore, he's happy to help out any way he can.
"Well I was pretty sure they were going to shut me off or play me tight-that's what Arizona did. I basically clustered up the crease so I could take away that slide from the other team-so the slide would be late."
Successful he was, as only four of The Cossack's 13 goals were assisted.
"I did that so the others could drive and the slide would be late. We got a lot of good shots off that."
But after the game junior from Berkeley just wanted to enjoy the celebration.
"I plan to study abroad next year, but I had last year off due to knee surgery."
WCLL rules state that you have a limited time to take your four eligible years.
"I may possibly return the year after next year."
When asked about winning the National Championship he proudly stated, "That's what I came to Sonoma State for. That's what I've been meaning to do with 29 of my best friends for four years. Its amazing to make it happen."
Yes it is M.J., yes it is-go celebrate.