Maryland Prep Wins
2010 adidas National Games
Geoff Shannon, Inside Lacrosse reprint

The adidas National Lacrosse Classic occupied the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, a pristine Washington D.C. suburban locale, pitting dozens of teams from across the country in a championship tournament. In this year's event two close regional teams, Washington D.C. And Maryland Prep, emerged as the title contenders, facing off Thursday afternoon. After a grueling weekend, the two sides left it out on the field in the championship, with the Maryland Prep squad (kids hailed from Free State private schools) taking an 8-4 victory.

The offense was evenly distributed among the Marylanders in the championship game, with Spencer Parks (St. Paul's, Md./North Carolina), leading the way with two goals, one coming in the first on a feed from X and another late in the fourth on an assist to seal the game. Parks, who famously verballed to UNC his sophomore season, showed great movement from goal line extended, and knew how to work with his teammates well. Good quick movement around the cage as well.

Maryland Prep's offense was also guided by rising senior attackman Robby Maddux (St. Paul's, Md.), who put up a goal and an assist in the title game, working in tandem with teammate Spencer on the unit. Rising senior midfielder Garrett Paglia (Gilman, Md.) also notched two assists, feeding the two Crusaders.

Other goals on the MD side go to junior Joel Linkous (Calvert Hall, Md.), Austin deButts (Episcopal, Va.), Taylor White (St. Mary's Annapolis, Md.), Ryan Brown (Calvert Hall, Md.) and Robert Rupp (Baltimore Lutheran, Md.) on an assist from Brown to end the game.

On the defensive end for the Preps, goalie Jack Brust (Calvert Hall, Md.) had a particularly strong second half, channeling Washington D.C.'s shooters and making big stops in the middle. Defensively, Calvert Hall longpoles Robert Rupp and Nick Uline impressed on their assignments.

For D.C., the goals were combined between rising senior attackmen Nathan Miller (Annandale, Va.) and Andrew Crockett (St. Anne's Belfield, Va/Georgteown.). Miller made his attempts from up top, notching one solo goal and one on an assist. Crocket worked with his offense, notching assists from junior Nic Fisher (Bullis School, D.C.) and Justin Murphy (Landon, Md.) for his three scores.

Though they let up eight goals, Washington D.C.'s defense was active, attacking Maryland's defense. Standouts included Branford Rogers (St. Anne's Belfield, Va.), Charles Schreck (St. Anne's Belfield, Va.) and Kellen Miller (Landon / Maryland).

Special props also go to rising senior Chris Hampton (Georgetown Prep, Md.) who was strong on the face-off X in spurts, and had two gorgeous wrap-around checks with his shortstick. A strong SSDM prospect.
 
This is the Maryland Prep's first adidas All-American Classic title. They are now eligible to play in the international Brogden Cup tournament later this year. Earlier in the day, Maryland Preps beat N.J. 6-5 to earn the title shot, while D.C. snuck by New England 8-7 in OT for their chance.