Palatine Penguins Lacrosse Captures Championship

The 9U Palatine Penguins Lacrosse team won the Northwest Chicago Youth Lacrosse Federation Championship on Saturday, June 6 with a 3 - 1 over Mundelein. The tournament was held at Warren High School in Gurnee. Palatine needed to play 4 consecutive games to capture the title. The Penguins started the day with a 2:00 game vs. Lake Villa. After a slow start that saw the 1st quarter end in a 1 - 1 score, the game was evenly matched until 4 late Palatine scores opened up the game in the 4th quarter as they went on to win 9-4. Immediately following that win, the team took on a rested Crystal Lake squad who had received a bye in the first round. Their momentum from the first game carried over as Palatine went on to claim their second victory of the day by a score of 7-3. Palatine needed to wait 30 minutes beyond their scheduled start time to start their third game as the game determining their opponent went into triple overtime. Vernon Hills topped Grayslake and became the Penguins next victim. The long wait for Palatine, and the triple overtime for Vernon Hills made for a slow start without much offense early in the game. At halftime, Palatine was leading 2-1. Some great defense and goaltending, and just enough offense, propelled Palatine to the championship with a 4-2 victory where a hungry Mundelein team was waiting to avenge an earlier season 1 goal loss to the Penguins. Palatine's energy proved too much for Mundelein early as the Penguins took a quick 2 - 0 lead. The game evened out as both squads tightened their defense. The half ended with Palatine up 2-1. The 2nd half saw many Mundelein scoring opportunities turned away by the Penguins strong defense and outstanding goaltending. Palatine struck once more with a minute remaining to seal the outcome and claim the Championship by a 3 - 1 score. The team finished the season with an 8-1-1 record. The team roster included #43, Nicky Bruscato, #20, Tristan Caridie, #10, Jack Herbst, #33, Tommy Houser, #17, Quinn Lang, #2, Rocco Paddack, #18, Grant Paseka, #1, Nicky Pastore, #28 Lucas Ruiz-Mullen, #45 Brady Saunders, #19, Landon Schneider, #46, Jack Stygar, #16, Braeden Towle, #6, Ryan Tragesser, and #8, Ryan Winklebleck. The team was coached by Jen Lang, Gary Woods, Mike Pastore, and JJ Espinoza