Author’s Note:  We’ve already posted Wells’ article from the Sun-Sentinel plus the instant podcast so I’ll keep this to thoughts about the game instead of the play by play.

  Another fantastic game in front of a revved up group of fans. A first three quarters the SA faithful were thrilled with and a fourth quarter that STA faithful will never forget. A last minute of heart palpitations and 7 seconds of infamy. And in retrospect, it came down to one extraordinary ground ball battle off the OT faceoff, finally gathered in by Louie Adams . . . because it was the last ball that touched an STA stick . . . and SA never relinquished possession until the ball entered the net to win it.     Big crowd.  Engaged crowd.  Fun atmosphere. A four goal run and a five goal run and 1:29 of overtime. Most of the bigger names on both sides were held in check. But two who weren’t were Ryan Leahy and Justin Lugo. In case you are new down here they are the two goalies. 27 saves combined on 42 shots on goal. 64% combined. All American level play. I love hot goalie play.     And the defenses for both sides have a lot of talent too.  Almost no easy looks.  No goal in the first half came from inside the defense, all alley dodges and step downs from outside . . . oh, and one old-fashioned worm burner . . . That changed in the second half.  Not sure if it was fully the adjustments made by the coaching staffs, but the teams were able to get inside more and that opened up some step down opportunities too.  Of all the big names on the offenses it was Carl Klepper who came through the most with 3G/1A, including the game tyer late. Penalties played a part.  In the four previous STA games I attended they only took 7 total penalties.  Last night it was five and 4 in the first half alone.  2 EMO goals for SA in a one goal game plus the amount of time SA possessed the ball in the first half kept STA out of their desired transition game. Which brings another aspect to the game . . . before the game I felt it might well come down to which team controlled tempo.  SA wanted the settled game and STA wanted transition.  Except for the 4th quarter when SA did not handle the ball pressure well they did play the game at their pace more than STA did.  A little thing but as we say often, little things add up to make a difference . . . like one groundball in OT.     The game marked the end of the beginning of SA 2.0. The version that has been transitioning from ‘we are SA, that’s enough’ to ‘we need to outwork everyone to win a title’ The first few years of that was good for the growth of the sport in the state in a way that was probably not expected. This year it will be good for the growth of the sport in the state in another way . . . and probably one we won’t fully know yet. I know that sounds a little confusing, or obfuscating if you prefer. But intangibles tend to be that.     The crowd reaction when the tying goal entered the net with 7 seconds left. I’m the one you can’t see in the window three windows from the right.  Lot’s of different emotions in the reactions on the faces.  There’s nothing in life like a crowd getting into an exciting moment.  And more proof that it’s #LacrossePutMyButtInThisSeat . . . One positive from the game. SA had hired a new Athletics Department employee who was in the booth with me . . . a former Michigan football coach who had never seen a lacrosse game until then . . . Not a bad introduction to the game, huh?  Remember that for the next game . . . #TAFTAG – Take A Friend To A Game.     Now that we are about 36 hours later I hope that the STA kids and staff can sit back and reflect positively on what they accomplished the last five years. Two championships, a Runner Up and a Semifinal in four years . . . The third dynasty in the state . . . SA, LHP and STA . . . a lot of titles in those 8 letters. Last night takes NOTHING away from that. Thank you to the seniors for there accomplishments and efforts and best wishes for your futures! And to SA, the death march that is the quadrant of District’s 25-32 continues.  But every survivor of this region knows it always worth it.