On this 2004 Memorial Day weekend in Baltimore, the Onondaga Nation is proud of two of its own who have competed and come away victorious with National Championships.
First on Sunday, LeMoyne College battled Limestone College for the Division II Championship. A homegrown attackmen playing for LeMoyne is Cory Sullivan. Cory has played through the minor system as well as the local LaFayette High School team to earn a spot on the #1 ranked LeMoyne Dolphins.
The game between the two was tight throughout with neither team holding more than a two goal advantage throughout the entire game. LeMoyne scored with 2 seconds remaining to send it to overtime and scored again in the second overtime to claim the victory. Cory was able to notch a goal for the LeMoyne Dolphins to aid his team earn a championship. Congratulations Cory!
Then on Monday, Syracuse University battled the Naval Academy for the Division I Championship. A homegrown midfielder playing for Syracuse is Brett Bucktooth. Like Cory, Brett has played through the minor system as well as the local LaFayette High School team to earn a spot on the #4 ranked Syracuse Orange.
The Syracuse/Navy Championship game mirrored the LeMoyne/Limestone game as both games were close contests throughout. Both the Naval Academy and the Orange held leads or saw leads slip away to outstanding shooting or to outstanding goalie play. In the end, it was the Orange who were able to win a one-goal nail biter. Brett was also able to aid the winning effort by adding a goal of his own to help earn a championship for Syracuse University. Congratulations Brett!
Cory Sullivan and Brett Bucktooth join a growing list of Onondaga community players who have earned National Championships including: Oren Lyons – Syracuse University, Dave Waterman- SUNY Cortland, Travis Solomon – Syracuse University, Neal Powless – Nazareth College, Marshall Abrams – Syracuse University, AJ Bucktooth -Syracuse University and Michael Abrams – Herkimer CC.
We all wish to see list continue to grow as more and more of our gifted and talented community members continue share their talents on a collegiate level.