Top 25 Upstate Lacrosse Stories of 2010: 15 - 11
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 9:15AM 
School districts all over New York have had to deal with the recent economic down turn over the past few years, and more often than not athletic programs are the first to face the chopping block. But voters in the Corning - Painted Post School District agreed on a compromise that, in effect, did away with two entire atlectic programs, and a fierce, long-time rivalry to boot.
No doubt thousands of former Corning East Trojans and the Corning West Vikings felt a disturbance in The Force when the inevitable happened. Now everyone waits to see how the new Corning Hawks take flight.
Both Boys teams win Sectional crowns
East, West girls meet for Section title
Travis Solomon's last fight, against Lou Gehrig’s disease, has yet to be won by anyone. On October 3rd the lacrosse world lost a legend. You've no doubt heard of his role on the 1983 Syracuse University NCAA Championship team. But did you know he was a 1st Team All-American at Cobleskill? How about that as a sophomore at LaFayette he led the Lancers to regular season and playoff wins over West Genesee?
A wonderful look back at the life of Travis Solomon, as written by Casey Vock for Inside Lacrosse, should be required reading for every scholastic lacrosse player in the country.
Solomon's Legacy: Former Syracuse University goaltender Travis Solomon (1960-2010)
A Season that Changed the Game, by Sean Kirst
It's hard to tell exactly how concerned some people were when Team USA lost their first exhibition to Duke (not so outrageous sounding now considering Duke went on to win the NCAA Men's Championship). But confidence was high after a 13-12 win over an MLL All-Star team (the game-winner coming from Ryan Powell), followed by a send off from NBC's The Today Show including former Syracuse weather personality Al Roker, and on to Manchester, England, home of the Orange's top fan over the 'pond', Scott 'Woody' Weddell.
Team USA was on a mission to right a wrong from the 2006 World Games, and live internet streaming for a reasonable fee gave fans worldwide a front row seat.
Team USA did prevail over the Canadians, but we will never know how things might have turned out had the Iroquois Nationals, loaded with players with Upstate ties and arguably the best Native American team ever sent to an international competition, not been refused entry to the UK. More on that later.
Congratulations all around for Team USA, and especially for Ryan Powell, Mike Leveille, Max Seibald, Adam Fullerton, and Ryan McClay.
Team USA Prevails In Heated MLL All-Star Game
Team USA to Appear on NBC's Today Show
Powell, Leveille help Team USA Defeat Canada
The Onondaga Redhawks, who play their home games at Tsha'hon'nonyen'dukhwa', the Onondaga Nation Areana, were one game short of perfect in their Senior B Can-Am lacrosse season, losing by 2 goals at Niagara in May. They made up for that loss three weeks later, doubling up Niagara at home, and moved on to the Canadian Lacrosse Championships after sweeping the Can-Am Playoffs, including the best-of-three final series against Niagara.
At the Presidents Cup being held in Burnaby, BC, the Redhawks didn't lose until they had already secured a spot in the Gold Medal game, where they downed Owen Sound 14-9.
Jeremy Thompson (LaFayette, OCC, SU) was named Player of the Game and Tournament MVP.
Can-Am and Presidents Cup results
Presidents Cup Gold Medal Game recap
Thursday: #10 - #6
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