Congratulations to the 
1999 Warburg Pincus Hawaii Lacrosse Invitational Champions
Marin Lacrosse Club
San Francisco - California

1999 Tournament Action Photos
1999 Team Photos & Rosters

    Hawaii, Warburg Pincus, eight quality lacrosse teams from the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Canada and the continental U.S., plus four '98 USA World Team members......the recipe couldn't have been much better, and sure enough, the product could not have been much better as well.   Yes indeed, true to its billings, the 1999 Warburg Pincus Hawai'i Lacrosse Invitational was an event with Big Aloha and Big Lacrosse!  Once again, games were played in a warm & green Kapi'olani Park at the foot of Diamond Head, a majestic crater on the edge of Waikiki Bay.  The competition was also similar to years past with participants reveling in the fast and uninhibited nature of tournament lacrosse (tournament lacrosse tends to be much less structured than league lacrosse and therefore, much more enjoyable for many players).  Fortunately for the players and spectators, they could both easily cool down from the intense action and refuel for the remaining action thanks to a slew of ice cold beverages and grilled soft tacos provided onsite by Pacific Taco Exchange.
    
    Most of the games went as predicted, but there were a few upsets.  Namely, the Hawaii Lacrosse Club and WaLax.Com proved that their number 7 & 8 pre-tournament seedings, respectively, were misplaced.  WaLax.Com earned third place honors by amassing a 3 - 1 record with their only loss coming to tournament runner-up Olympic Club.  The Hawaii Lacrosse Club was right behind WaLax in fourth place with a 3 - 2 record.  Still, despite the above surprises, the two top teams whom everyone was keeping an eye on throughout the tournament, Marin and Olympic Club, marched through to the finals undefeated as expected.  Olympic Club did have to mount a late comeback to top Catonsville in their third round game, but Olympic Club's overall performance established that they were clearly one of the top two teams and belonged in the final.  Thus, the only question going into the final was: would it make a difference that Marin would have to get by their closest competitor in the tournament, Olympic Club, in order to bring home the championship?  i.e.  could anyone keep up with the many, many horses on Marin's team, a team that included Casey Powell, Jesse Hubbard, John Hess, David Curry (all '98 USA World Team members) and four other collegiate All-Americans?  
    
    Olympic Club answered those questions with a resounding YES!  They took Marin head-on, playing Marin straight-up with no shut offs and no slow paced ball control offense.  Olympic Club just played their game, loose yet fundamental lacrosse, and built up a two goal lead (8-6) midway through the second half. However, Marin refused to die.  They kept firing, and Jesse Hubbard soon netted a shot to make it a one goal game (8-7 Olympic Club).  Olympic Club then stabbed themselves in the back. They went man-up, but instead of converting the opportunity into a two goal lead, they started the man-up by sending too many men onto the field. Marin converted the turnover into a transition goal, and things were knotted at eight. Sure enough, you can't keep the world's top scorers down for long, and John Hess linked up with Casey Powell for Marin's ninth goal (Casey's fourth) which turned out to be the game winner (Marin 9 - Olympic Club 8).  It was a true barn burner final, and an Awesome ending to a Spectacular weekend of competition.
    
    Everything wrapped up later that evening with a fine Aloha Party at Duke's Canoe Club on the beach in Waikiki. Smiles abounded with talk of the weekend's events, upcoming vacation ventures and of course, next year's competition.  The Year 2000 Hawaii Lacrosse Invitational shall be an extremely special event as it will mark the tournament's 10th Anniversary. The Hawaii Lacrosse Club, the tournament host, has several events planned that will make this milestone tournament even better than past competitions.  With that in mind, the lacrosse world should already be getting excited about the return of International Lacrosse to the Land of Aloha in the year 2000!
                                                                                       

A Hui Hou!

Awards:  

Most Outstanding Goalie - Court Durling, Olympic Club  

Most Outstanding Defenseman - Sean Donnelly, Marin Lacrosse Club

Most Outstanding Midfielder - Todd Eichelberger, Marin Lacrosse Club

Most Outstanding Attackman - Jeff MacBean, Olympic Club 

     This year's award was presented to Casey Powell.  Casey had a total of eight goals in the tournament, including four goals and one assist in the championship game.  Since the roots of modern lacrosse hail back to ancient times when Native Americans of the northeast prepared for war using a variation of today's game, the Warburg Pincus Hawai'i Lacrosse Invitational honored Casey Powell, the player who exhibited the greatest competitive excellence, with a Hawaiian Warrior Pahoa A'u.  Such pahoas were used in battles. This handmade Pahoa A'u was carved from the bill of a marlin caught off Oahu.  The Pahoa has a Kauila wood handle, wauke fiber lanyard, a Kiawe wood stand with a Mako shark tooth to hold the lanyard, and finally, a base of O'hia wood with river stones from Makua Beach.  Special Mahalo to Dalani Kauihou who crafted and presented the Pahoa.

For More Information about the Hawai'i Lacrosse Invitational or the Hawai'i Lacrosse Club send an email to:  hawaii_lacrosse@yahoo.com