May. 22nd, 2002 - Florida State takes 1st ever ACC Southern Shootout

Article courtesy of USLIA.com

This past weekend Georgia Tech hosted the First Annual ACC Southern Shootout. In town for the tournament was Clemson, Florida State and NC State all battling each other and the host Yellow Jackets. The event was a huge success and is expected to become an annual event for the 4 programs involved. In addition, the sidelines were packed as over 500 people attended the games over the weekend.

Georgia Tech came into the tournament with their heads high as they rallied as a team to show the SELC that were a much-improved team. With some late scratches from the roster due to some academic difficulties, Tech found it squad slightly under manned. On Friday night, the Jackets hosted the Clemson Tigers to open the tournament. Clemson handled the Jackets last year and Tech wanted revenge. They got it early and often. Will Oakley opened the scoring 45 seconds into the contest. Within the next 5 minutes Tech added 3 more goals and held Clemson scoreless until late in the first quarter. By the end of the 1st half, the Yellow Jackets led the Tigers, 6-2. Last season, Georgia Tech went into half time with a lead over Clemson, only to lose the lead and ultimately the contest.

So much for history. Tech came out and played great defensive ball and held Clemson to only one 2nd half goal while scoring 3 themselves. Tech won the contest by 6 goals (9-3). Defensively Georgia Tech played a superb game. Defenders Bryant Jarrell, Joe Burratto, and Austin Karp held the attack in check and thwarted multiple offensive Clemson drives. In addition, defensive middies Justin Gomes, Mike Schmidt and Brent Burdett played very well in stopping the big attacking middies from Clemson. Coach Ken Lovic adds, "it was a great effort by our team tonight. They came out charged and played well from beginning to end. It's a great way to get the season started."

The Florida State Seminoles faced off Friday night against a vastly improved North Carolina State in the evening nightcap. The Wolfpack were also looking for some redemption in Atlanta after two tough one-goal losses to open the season (#15 Tennessee & #18 Vanderbilt). NC State came out strongly in the first quarter, scoring three goals, and holding Florida State to one extra-man score at the 5:15 mark.

The wake-up call having been received, Florida State clamped down in the second period, scoring three, allowing zero, and more importantly committing zero penalties. The defensive charge was led by sophomore goalie Keith Mangan, making 7 of his 19 saves in the second quarter, while sophomore defenseman Bo Kazmarek ignited the scoring with a lightning bolt from fifteen yards out. Florida State took a 4-3 lead into the half.

In the third, NC State Junior midfielder Jeff Eisenhauer put the Wolfpack in the lead with two goals, but Florida State was able to keep pace with two of their own, taking a slim one goal lead (6-5) into the fourth quarter. Jeff Eisenhauer brought the Wolfpack squad back again in the fourth, assisting attackman Daryl Fothergill on the tying goal, and scoring the go-ahead goal unassisted. However, Florida State kept finding scoring from different places. Junior midfielder Brian Beaton scored his first goal of the season on a feed from attackman Mike Borkowski. Then, with one minute remaining, defenseman Bo Kazmarec (this time playing attack), powered in from behind the cage, and put in the game-winner. Two possession fouls allowed the Seminoles to run the clock out, with Mike Borkowski scoring again with one second remaining. While the 'Noles were celebrating their first conference win of the year, some were remembering last year. "I know how N.C. State feels," said FSU defenseman Jorge Sanchez, "We lost so many games last year by one or two goals. When you play as well as they did, but come up short, it hurts."

Saturday afternoon, Georgia Tech took on Florida State while Clemson and NC State paired off in their lacrosse version of the "Textile Bowl." The GT/FSU contest set up the two early-undefeated teams. The Jackets edged the Noles by one last year in Tallahasse and FSU wanted to even the record. Florida State came out strong and took a 2-1 lead in the first quarter. Tech answered to tie the game early in the second quarter from a goal by Will Oakley. Tech took the lead shortly after on a goal from Gary Bridges with Mike Schmidt assisting. FSU did not let this unsettle them as they ran off 3 straight and took a 5-3 halftime lead. Coach Lovic said, "we played OK in the first half but FSU had a good game plan in slowing our offensive leaders and it disrupted out play a bit".

In the second half, the Georgia Tech defense solidified, allowing only two goals in the third, and one on the fourth. Yellow Jacket sophomore midfielder Will Oakley sparked the Tech offense, assisting on three of their four goals, the last of which pulled the Jackets within one goal with under a minute remaining in the contest. But Florida State was again able to outlast the competition, taking the final face off, and receiving a push call with forty-four seconds on the clock that allowed them to hold the ball until time expired. It was a heart breaker for the Tech players but they needed to re-group and get ready for a tough NC State squad on Sunday morning. As for FSU, they got an early morning game against Clemson and a chance at an undefeated weekend in Atlanta.

"This was a great game." Recalled FSU coach Hugh Nunn. "Both teams played well, especially on defense. (Georgia) Tech's man down unit was able to stop our extra-man seven out of eight times, and their goalie is phenomenal! Our defense, led today by freshman Brian Rode, was able to hold (Georgia) Tech's attack to just two goals and no assists, and always seemed to come up with a stop when we really needed it."

In the final game of Saturday afternoon, Clemson took on NC State. Both squads were looking for their first win of the weekend and more importantly, their first conference win. Clemson came out of the gate fast and furious. The Tigers built an early 6 goal lead and was looking to cruise. But late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter, NC State got their offense going. Offense was the name of the game in this contest. Lots of goals back and forth. In the end though, the Tigers pulled out the offensive battle and prevailed 19-18. And another tough loss for NC State. In the game NC State's Angus Kelly scored 6 goals, a game high for the tournament. As well, George Rallis and Daryl Fothergill had hat tricks for NC State. It was an exciting game to watch and came to the final whistle for the Clemson victory.

The last challenge of the weekend for FSU was facing Clemson, at 8:45 Sunday morning. The Tigers were fired up after outlasting NC State the day before. Sunday's game, however, would again be a defensive battle. The first score of the game came with Clemson scoring at 1:51 in the first quarter. Ninety seconds later, FSU sophomore midfielder Alex David redirected a feed from attackman Fergus Harnett, off the turf and into the upper corner to end the first in a 1-1 tie. Clemson got things going a less than a minute into the second period on an extra-man score at 14:18. Florida State, though, tied it up on a Seth Alte goal just over a minute later. The 'Noles would score twice more before the Tigers found the net again. The first half ended with the Seminoles up 4-3.

Clemson poured it on in the third, outscoring Florida State 4-3 in the period, but that was almost all the offense Clemson could muster. The Seminole defense again clamped down in the fourth, this time led by junior defenseman Jorge Sanchez. Sanchez brought an arsenal of pokes and slaps, combined with solid footwork, to deny his attackman any chance at the goal. His stellar effort went hand in hand with perfectly timed slides by Freshman Brian Rode, and helped keep Clemson off the board until :30 remained in the game. Florida State's attack woke up in the fourth, led by three goals from Freshman attackman Tyler Schultz, the last assisted by Jorge Sanchez on one of his many one-man clears on the day. FSU also took five of six face-offs in the fourth quarter.

"This weekend, we knew we had to play well," said Florida State Coach Hugh Nunn. "The way the SELC is shaping up this year, every win is precious. We felt like we let one get away last weekend against Emory. With Auburn and Florida coming to Tallahassee in the next month, we wanted to have a weekend we could build on. Our defense played as well as I have seen them perform. All three game balls went to defensive players this weekend. What a show! Georgia Tech put on a great tournament this weekend, and we are all looking forward to next February's return trip."

In the final tournament game, Georgia Tech hosted NC State. Tech was attempting to finish the tournament in second place. After several one goal losses, NC State was looking for their first win of the weekend (and the year). Last season, the Wolfpack had upset the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta and Tech was trying to extract some revenge. However, Tech started out the contest a little sluggish. The teams traded goals, but by halftime NC State led 7 – 5 and it appeared that the Wolfpack might earn their first win of the year. The Yellow Jackets allowed 3 man-up goals in the second quarter alone. Fortunately for the defense, the Tech offense was playing well and getting scoring opportunities. Bob Jaeger and Will Oakley tallied 4 goals between them in the 1st half and help keep the game close.

In the second half, the sleeping giant awoke. Tech erupted in the second half scoring 7 goals and playing stellar defense in holding the NC State attack to only 3 goals. Both squads were visibly tired from the long weekend. But Georgia Tech playing at their home field, seemed to re-group at the half. The Jackets came out strong and finish off the Wolfpack for a 2-1 record over the weekend and a solid 2nd place finish.

Georgia Tech Head Coach Ken Lovic stated, "This was a great way for our guys to end the weekend. They played well all weekend and worked hard for both wins and even in the loss. This is a real stepping-stone for this program to see us play this well during the weekend. We hope to continue to host this tournament and showcase the ACC/SELC talent here in the South"

Box Scores:

Team Scoring: 1st Qtr - 2nd Qtr - 3rd Qtr - 4th Qtr = Final
Clemson: 1 – 1 – 1 - 0 = 3
Georgia Tech: 5 – 0 – 0 – 3 = 9
GT goals: Oakley 3, Bridges 3, Pallotta, Jaeger, Crosby
GT assists: Pallotta, Broich, Lindberg, Kronenthal
GT saves- Wojo 12

Team Scoring: 1st Qtr – 2nd Qtr – 3rd Qtr – 4th Qtr = Final
NC State: 3 – 0 – 2 – 2 = 7
Florida State: 1 – 3 – 2 – 3 = 9

Team Scoring: 1st Qtr - 2nd Qtr - 3rd Qtr - 4th Qtr = Final
Florida State: 2 - 3 - 2 – 1 = 8
Georgia Tech: 1 - 2 - 2 – 2 = 7
GT goals: Jaeger 2, Pallotta 2, Bridges 2, Oakley
GT assists: Oakley 3, Schmidt, Lindberg
GT saves- GT Wojo 13

Team Scoring: 1st Qtr - 2nd Qtr - 3rd Qtr - 4th Qtr: Final
Clemson: 1 – 2 – 4 – 1 = 8
Florida State: 1 – 3 – 3 – 3 = 10

Team Scoring: 1st Qtr - 2nd Qtr - 3rd Qtr - 4th Qtr: Final
NC State: 3 - 4 - 2 – 1 = 10
Georgia Tech: 3 - 2 - 4 – 3 = 12
GT goals: Oakley 5, Jaeger 3, Pallotta 2, Bridges 2
GT assists: Oakley, Pallotta, Monk, Broich, Kronenthal, Lindberg
GT saves: Wojo 13