2009 Adrenaline Lacrosse Challenge
San Diego, California, 10 - 11 January 2009
During the chill winter of 2009 the Outlaws traveled to San Diego to play in the Adrenaline Lacrosse Challenge. Played at Robb Field right on the Pacific coast we had perfect weather for the Challenge. At this tournament were scouts and recruiters from over 70 colleges.
Day One at the Adrenaline Lacrosse Challenge in San Diego found our Outlaws (styling in their fancy pants and adrenaline socks) pitted against the LA Express. In a great defensive effort the girls worked out a 10 – 0 shutout and were off to a great start.
The second game on Saturday found our young ladies playing LaxDawgs Royal Elite. After a slow first half, they got rolling in the second half and played to a 10 – 10 tie before running out of time. Not as good as winning, but a great 2nd half offensive effort!
Game three was against the class of the Tournament. The QC Elite from Southern Cal had some really good players! The game started out very rough – it was like watching a clinic and the Outlaws were back on their heels, reeling... During half-time Coach Jo got their minds right and set the girls back on the right footing to stage a nice second half, but still loosing 12 – 7.
We had to wait to find out our seeding for the play-offs and found out we were in 7th out of 12 teams. The team we tied (Royal) ended up as the #1 seed and the team that beat us (QC) was seeded #2! Clearly, the Outlaws got to play the best teams at the Tournament!!
So on day two, Sunday, we started by playing a high school team from Carlsbad, California. The girls worked on very specific objectives set out by the Coaches and did very well executing and again coming up with another shutout, 12 – 0.
This win brought us up against the #2 seed – The QC Elite – again! This time the girls were on a mission. It cannot be stressed enough how exciting this game was. this was probably the best game the Outlaws have played – ever. Our girls set the tone and pace of the game with outstanding transition work and a lot of shooting on goal. The QC girls did not just let the Outlaws shoot; they had to work their plays and motion offense perfectly to get great feed passes to fleetingly rare open shooters; and they did! By halftime, the Outlaws were up 5 to 3. The second half was as excellent as the first: awesome defense, beautiful transitions, and superb, controlled offensive play. The game was back-and-forth but in the end unfortunately, the Outlaws were beat 8 to 7. However, each of our girls knew they just had played a GREAT game in front of a BUNCH of very impressed recruiters.
Note: The QC Elite went on to a fairly easy game in the semifinals and got to the finals. They lost in the finals to LaxDawgs Royal Elite – THE TEAM WE TIED on the first day!! Five of our players were chosen to play in the All-Star Game: Haliegh, Paige, Rachel E., Erin, and Annie! Well-Done ladies.
Once again, Coach Jo and her assistants, Coach Charlotte & Coach Laura led our girls to an excellent showing the Outlaws can be very proud of. There were 60 teams in this tournament and 70 college recruiters watching. There can be no doubt the recruiters were impressed with each and every one of our girls.
For more information or to arrange a try-out contact: coachjo@texasplayhard.com.
