The theme for this year's event was to recognize the deep history and culture that Lacrosse, "The Creator's Game", represents today. With special thanks to Doug Appleton, Blake Kim and Cort Kim of Talon Lacrosse and Elizabeth Terry of the Tewaaraton Award Foundation, we were able to highlight these aspects of the game. Talon Lacrosse, with their new wood veneer shafts, captures the strong history and qualities of lacrosse in their products - Where Tradition meets Technology. We were also proud to have the Tewaaraton Trophy onsite at the tournament along with a display board that clearly documents the history and meaning of lacrosse. It is important that as this great game grows, we continue to teach our young players the value of understanding what lacrosse represents - teamwork, dedication, respect and honoring the game and to use these life lessons both on and off the field.

Highlights of this year's events included a two-day Coach's Clinic taught by US Lacrosse staff, a youth clinic supported by Kyle Harrison (STX), John Hunt (Cascade) and Todd Eichelberger (Warrior Sports), games for men's elite, men's masters and women's elite, a Hawaii youth exhibition game, Tewaaraton Trophy display area, and a final tournament wrap-up Halloween Party held at Lulu's on Waikiki Beach. With teams and players from Canada, USA, Iroquois Nation, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Germany, we were guaranteed to have lots of fast paced action and many stories to tell! Watch for Michael Schwartz's "Behind Lacrosse" TV show on CSTV during the 2007 lacrosse season for exciting Hawaii tournament action!

In the men's elite division, the Crease Monkeys avenged last year's loss during this year's championship rematch with Matt Sauri's Wimmer Solutions by a final score of 10 - 6. MVP honors went to the goalkeeper for the Monkeys, Aaron Fenton, who held the high powered Wimmer shooters to just 6 goals. Fenton was a brick wall with bionic reflexes in the cage!

The road to the men's championship game was a battle all the way. The final four consisted of teams loaded with lacrosse talent, with rosters full of MLL and NLL stars. The Crease Monkeys were led by John Grant Jr. (All-World Attack, fresh off of his World Championship victory for Team Canada), John Christmas, Matt Striebel (Team USA), Joe High, Geoff Snider ('06 World Games MVP), Nate Hill, John Hunt, Justin Redd, JD Nelson and the Kim brothers (twins Cort and Blake). Supporting this offensive power was a defensive machine that would prove to be to much for the rest of the tournament teams to break through. The defense was led by Aaron Fenton in the cage, and a long stick group including Glenn Morley (Team Australia), Kyle Sweeney (Team USA), Mike Howley (Team USA), Brian Kelly and Blair Allison.

Wimmer Solutions displayed a tremendous team effort in an attempt to win back-to-back Hawaii Tournament championships. Although their efforts fell short, their team was also loaded with power. Jeff Zywicki (Team Canada and '06 World Games Best Attackman), Matt Alrich, Sean Morris, Adam Hughes and Matt Sauri filled out the attack squad. The midfield showcased Andy Corno ('05 Hawaii Tournament MVP), Kyle Harrison (Team USA), Jarrett Park, Nate Watkins, Tom Zummo, Justin Smith and Scott Bissell. Wimmer's solid defense line-up included outstanding veteran goalie Tom Groeninger and long sticks Jack Reid, Ryan McClay, Brett Hughes, Jeff Bigas and Eric Martin.

The two men's semi-final men's match-ups paired San Francisco's Olympic Club (OC) against Wimmer Solutions and Marin Lacrosse versus the Crease Monkeys. OC's gallant effort against Wimmer Solution was not enough as Wimmer moved onto the championship game with an 11 - 3 victory. Although OC had great players in Ryan Marshall (Duke), Michael Abou Jaoude (Bucknell), Drew Virk (Maryland), Kip Malo (JHU), Will Patton (UCSB) and Jake McKenna (Harvard), Sean Morris' five-point game (1 g, 4 a) along with two goals each by Zywicki and Zummo led Wimmer to victory.

Marin's battle against the Crease Monkeys was a thriller with the Monkeys coming out on top 9-6. Two of the more entertaining match-ups were the Monkey's Grant Jr. taking on fellow Team Canada defenseman Jim Moss, whereas the other end of the field saw Marin's attackman Wes Green (Team Australia) battling it out with Aussie mate and defenseman Morley. Other outstanding players for Marin included Todd Eichelberger, Lorne Smith, Joe Kostolansky, Lou Braun, Greg Bastis and Matt Vallone in cage. Wes Green's four goal performance was not enough to stop two goal efforts by both High and Striebel along with single tallies from Grant Jr., Snider, Redd and Cort Kim.

After a three-hour break on Sunday following semi-finals action, it was time for a re-match of last year's championship contest between the Crease Monkeys and Wimmer Solutions. After a brief ceremony thanking sponsors Talon Lacrosse, Warrior Sports, Cascade, AXA Financial, Tesoro, Glaceau VitaminWater/SmartWater and Red Bull, the United States Marine Corps color guard marched onto the field to officially sound-off the championship match.

Wimmer jumped out to a quick first quarter lead of 3-1 as Watkins, Harrison and Alrich pumped in quick unassisted goals while Grant Jr. fired a shot past Groeninger for the Monkeys only goal of the 1st quarter. CM's Christmas and Striebel each scored in the 2nd quarter to tie the game up at 3-3 going into halftime. The halftime show included a visually stunning hula performance, thoroughly capturing the attention of all those in attendance.

The 3rd quarter saw the Monkeys jump out to a 6-5 lead with goals by High, Snider and Christmas, while Wimmer answered with goals by Park and Alrich. As the 4th quarter face-off whistle blew, Snider and Corno battled for the ball once again. After a Monkey goal by Nelson, Wimmer came storming back with a goal by Alrich, completing his hat-trick, and returning the deficit to one. However, Christmas quickly showed the crowd why he is one of the most talented and dangerous players in the game. His dodging ability and pure speed earned him a step past his defender as he drove goal line extended; he drew two other Wimmer defenders, and then gave a sweet one-handed flip pass to a wide-open Cort Kim on the back pipe to put the Monkeys back up by two in the final quarter, 8-6. The Crease Monkeys would later close out the scoring with two insurance tallies by Justin Redd and Grant Jr.

In the Men's Masters Division championship played earlier in the day, the Silver Crease Monkeys defeated Team Essian by a score of 13 to 8 with Mike Colon earning MVP honors. Richard "Sash" Shassian, the goalie for Team Essian, was absolutely tremendous in the cage and played the entire championship game with a torn bicep muscle suffered during one of Saturday's games. Not once complaining, he came up with save after save as his team worked extra hard to give him more support. However, the Silver Monkey's goalie, Pat Lorian, also demonstrated why his great goaltending skills were key to the victory as well, closing the door on many Essian scoring chances.

The tournament also boasted 13 teams in the Women's Division this year. Brand Elite, the Arizona State University Sun Devils, two club teams from Pepperdine, Crease Monkeys, and Eleu & Holona [both from the Wahine (women) Lacrosse Club in Hawaii] were back again for some lacrosse in paradise. Six Nations, a team of six Iroquois tribes (Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk, and Tuscarora) and members of the Ontario Lacrosse Association, joined us for the first time this year - a great group of players, family and friends! Our avid supporters from the Japan Lacrosse Association returned again and entered five teams - Kyushu, Kansai, Tokai, Hokkaido, and Kinjo Gakuin University.

Blue skies and cool breezes graced both days of play and set the background for some grueling competition. Six Nations fared well in their first Hawaii Lacrosse Invitational Tournament appearance, finishing 2-2, including a tough overtime loss to Kyushu. Rachael Skye, Lindsay Smith and defender Joanna Atkins, carried Six Nations with their scoring throughout the tournament.

Although still a young club, the Wahine club of Hawaii proved that there's more to Hawaii Lacrosse than bikini-clad brown bodies with sticks (Can this be true? Yes it can!). Both Eleu and Holona showed great teamwork and energy throughout the tournament. Canadian teammate Stephanie Bastow led the Wahine in goals, with Liza Holmes and Jenny Caruso trailing not far behind. Hallie Day and Emily McCarren provided a strong foundation on defense.

The Japanese lady laxers showed their usual quickness and stamina and outran most of their competitors. Players and spectators alike were amazed at their speed and agility. Yoshiko Kadoguchi racked up the goals for Kyushu who garnered the most attention as they met with defending champions, Brand Elite, in the semi-finals.

ASU held their own throughout the tournament until they challenged the Crease Monkeys in another semi-final round. Sarah Medwell sealed the fate of the Monkeys with 5 of 14 goals in this shutout that would ensure their appearance in the championship game.

The Crease Monkeys and Brand Elite faced off in the finals, just as they did at last year's tournament. The Monkeys owned the first half, shutting out Brand Elite to their 4 goals. Brand Elite was able to net a goal in the second half, avoiding a total shutout. The Monkeys finished with a 7-1 win, their first championship in their five previous years attending the Hawaii Tournament. Melissa Frazier captured MVP Women's Division honors for her consistent goal-scoring abilities throughout the 2-day event.

In other action during the tournament, our Aloha Youth Lacrosse Association hosted an exhibition youth game before the men's elite championship game. The Windward Rhinos, coached by Dave Swan, paired off against the Kapiolani Blue Devils, coached by Jeff Overton. It was a wonderful experience to see these young men, 8-12 years old, showing their lacrosse skills in front of the large crowd. Many thanks to our local officials, Reggie Molina and Paul Sichenzia for their help too!

Special recognition also goes out to Team Marine, led by SgtMaj Jim Peterson, for their efforts to play in this year's event. Coordinating their team from Okinawa and San Diego, many of these Marine's had just returned from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan only a few days before arriving in Hawaii. Some brought their families with them to maximize their "vacation time" together before they returned to the battlefields in the Middle East, while others enjoyed meeting new friends and hanging out in paradise. SgtMaj Peterson's father, "Doc" Peterson, a great fan of lacrosse, was often seen roaming the sidelines supporting Team Marine, enjoying time with his wife Cindy, and making new friends. It was an honor for the Hawaii Tournament Committee to go the extra mile to ensure that these Marines enjoyed their stay. Team Essian, led by Rich Shassian, also donated 20 helmets to Team Marine since many of them were short on equipment. The Marines were excellent representatives of the Armed Services that support our country, and we were very proud to have them here.

Another special event that took place during the tournament was a special showing on Saturday night of Tom Ryan's movie "Stir it Up", which documents Tom's growth in lacrosse and how he worked hard to improve his skills. This documentary captures the drive and passion of a young man who strives to be the best and what it takes to get there. The DVD also includes an excellent instructional section on stick skills taught by Paul Gait, Jay Jalbert and Tom Ryan. This DVD is a must for coaches and players who want to improve their abilities both on and off the field.

As the 2006 tournament came to an end, which was celebrated in style at Lulu's Halloween Party, we had already begun talking about how to make the 2007 tournament even better! So many teams and players now plan their vacations, weddings and other events around the tournament that it has become more than just another road trip. Playing lacrosse in Hawaii is such a wonderful experience - sandy beaches, warm weather, great lacrosse, special activities, excellent nightlife, fantastic sponsors…it really is the perfect place to be…to use lacrosse as an excuse to come to paradise. So start planning now to bring your teams to Hawaii - Men's elite, Men's Masters (33+), Men's Grandmasters (45+) and Women's division…all are welcomed!

Sunday's Results

A Crease Monkey Sweep: Men's, Women's, and Masters
In masters action the Silver Crease Monkeys defeated the Essian team by a score of 13 to 8 with Mike Colon earning MVP honors.

The Crease Monkettes earned their 1st championship during this their 5th year. In the finals they met up with the defending champs from Brand Elite and ran away with a 7 to 1 score. Melissa Frazier earned MVP honors for her goal scoring mastery.

Last but not least, the Crease Monkeys on the men's side avenged last years loss during this years championship rematch with Wimmer Solutions by a final score of 10 to 6. MVP honors went to the goalkeeper for the Monkeys, Aaron Fenton, who held the high powered Wimmer shooters to just 6.

Saturday's Results

Men's Masters Action: The Silver Crease Monkeys finished off Elemakule 12-3 to secure a spot in the Masters Championship game at 12:15pm Sunday vs the Essian team who defeated Elemakule in a close 7-5 match-up. Elemakule will face an elite team at 1:30pm on Sunday.

Men's Elite Action: The top 4 teams finished the day all with 2 wins and no losses. For Sunday's 11:00am semi-finals it turns out Wimmer will face Olympic Club and the Crease Monkeys will face Marin. Sure to be exciting games leading up to the 2:45pm championship game.

Women's Elite Action: The undefeated teams are headed for Sunday's 10:00am semi-finals with Brand Elite vs Kyushu and Arizona State vs.Crease Monkeys.

Friday's Results

Men's Masters Action: The first games of 2007 were held this afternoon with one official game and a inter-division game. The match-up between the Silver Crease Monkeys and Essian made up of primarily Canadians stayed competive with the Crease Monkeys coming out on top 6-5. In the other game the younger legs from Kyushu Japan came out on top of the local Elemakule team 6-4.

WAHINE Division (Women's Elite) - Schedule
Teams: Arizona State, Brand Elite, Crease Monkeys, Eleu, Hokkaido, Holona, Kansai, Kinjo, Kyushu, Pepperdine A & B, Six Nations, Tokai

KANE Division (Men's Elite) - Schedule
Teams: Barbary Coast, Bushwood, Crease Monkeys, Da Kine, Kanto, Koa, Kyushu, Marin, Olympic Club, Team Marine, Wimmer Solutions

MEN'S MASTER'S (33 years "getting-older") - Schedule
Teams: Elemakule, Essian, Silver Crease Monkeys