14th OC Lax Classic One For Books

OCEAN CITY- The 14^th Annual Ocean City Lacrosse Classic, held in the resort area over four days last weekend, was one of the best ever with 63 total teams competing including some of the best lacrosse players in the country.

The event has grown by leaps and bounds since inception in 1993 when just a handful of teams played on a scrubby field at Ocean City Elementary. From modest beginnings that first year, the annual Ocean City Lacrosse Classic has grown to become one of the highlights on the sport's calendar and now rivals in size and stature older and larger tournaments in Vail, Colorado and Lake Placid, N.Y., for example.

A total of 63 teams competed in the tournament last weekend held from Thursday to Sunday at Northside Park in Ocean City with early round games held at the Northern Worcester County Athletic Complex in Berlin. The Berlin site was added two years ago when the tournament field outgrew Northside Park.

Highlighting the field of 63 teams competing this year was a record 36 men's open elite division teams, made up of some of the top lacrosse players in the world including many who play at the professional level. Tournament director Bob Musitano, who also coaches the girl's varsity lacrosse team at Stephen Decatur High School, said the field of players this year was one of the best ever assembled for this event or any other event.

'When you look up and down these rosters, you can see there are dozens of professional players and many of the top collegiate players in the country,' he said. 'We have assembled the finest collection of lacrosse talent in the world.'

While the men's elite division was the biggest and best this year, no less impressive was the women's elite division, which was made up of 20 top teams again this year. The women's division also features some of the top collegiate lacrosse players in the country.

The action was a little slower but no less exciting in the tournament's Masters and Grand Masters divisions, which featured teams made up of some of the top professional and collegiate players of the past. A total of 12 teams competed in the Masters division, while five teams competed in the Grand Masters Division.

In the Men's Open Elite Division, Jack Lingo Real Estate took the championship, beating the Hobbit, 10-2, in the title game on Sunday afternoon. In the Women's Elite Division, it was Team Kenny taking the title, beating BAMF, 8-7, in a tight championship game on Sunday. Lacrosse Homes beat Lil Abner to win the Masters division, while Atlantic Physical Therapy/Coors Light beat Towson to win the Grand Masters division.