HARTFORD, Conn. — The Monroe Roller Hockey 10-and-under and 14-and-under travel teams both won bronze medals at the Nutmeg State Games in Hartford, Conn. on Sunday, July 16.
10UIn 10U, the Crusaders defeated the Mahopac Indians 11-6 in the medal game at the Koeppel Community Sports Center at Trinity College.
Purple Pride went 2-2 over the weekend led by the goal tending of Christian LoBrutto and Cole Kendrick, the offensive production of Nicky LoBrutto, Mendy Ross, Landon Albano and Nicky Scotto, and the drive and teamwork of Tyler Bitzer, Peter McCormick and Dane Bollenbach.
The 10U Crusaders were coached by Rosario LoBrutto and Adam Ross.
14UAfter struggling in pool play, the 14U Crusaders snuck into the medal round with a late win.
Trailing for much of a see-saw medal game against the Mahopac Indians, Monroe tied the game three times with goals by Tyler Jacklitsch, Danny McKeon and finally Chris Cotter, whose late goal sent the game into overtime.
Goalie Grace Haesche made a dramatic late regulation save on a Mahopac breakaway to keep the Crusaders in the game.
The Crusaders then shocked the Indians when Jacklitsch scored his second goal of the game in sudden death giving the bronze medal to the Crusaders. Connor Fischer had an assist on the overtime winner.
The rest of the 14U team - Mike Scotto, John English, Hannah Luckman, Gwen Haesche, Mike Ballinger, Joseph Alcide and Malcolm Steckiewicz - stuck together, refused to give up and showed incredible grit and determination under the coaching leadership of Christian Cotter and Glenn Jacklitsch.
Essential informationTo register for the fall season at Smith's Clove Park, please visit mwrhl.com.