On Saturday, May 20, the Checkmate Sharks went on a road trip to play the New Canaan Lacrosse Association's seventh-grade team. Although the final score of 10-5 suggested a runaway victory for the Sharks, the game was actually close until the final period.

New Canaan scored first and held through the first period. The Sharks rallied in the second period on goals by Coleman from Dwyer and Gordon from Johnson. Just when the momentum seemed to shift to the Sharks, New Canaan answered with two goals of their own to take a 3-2 lead with only 3:25 left in the half. Then, with less than two minutes remaining, Thornton and Dwyer (with an assist from Coleman) chalked up two quick goals to give the Sharks a shaky 4-3 margin going in the halftime.

Although the Sharks cracked the New Canaan defense, the New Canaan goalie was successful in repelling 14 Shark attacks in the first half, many from point blank range. At one point it looked like he was playing tennis with the shooter. Coaches Coleman and Jahelka calmly pointed out his weaknesses during the halftime break and told the players how to exploit them. They also stressed that tough defense without penalties would win the game, pointing out that the Sharks struggled in the first half with numerous man-down situations.

During the third period, the Sharks' long polers Jahelka, Burnside, Kufs, Adams and Fisher responded to the call. But, so did the New Canaan defenders. The tide began to turn as the grinding defensive battle was being won by the Sharks and the Sharks began beating the New Canaan goalie.

With only 1:39 remaining, the first goal of the period belonged to New Canaan, who scored to tie the game at 4. Although the game appeared hopelessly deadlocked and the finale looked as if would be a matter of which team was on the right side of the curtain as it came down, a sudden flurry of Shark bites appeared like bubbles on a hot griddle when water is spilled on it. First, a goal by Johnson from Thornton put the Sharks ahead. Then, two more Shark goals by Coleman from Gordon and Gordon from Thornton closed the period.

After a period without goals, a total of four goals were scored in the final two minutes of play in the third period. When the horn blew, the Sharks had a commanding 7-4 lead, which turned out to be all that was needed for the win. After the game, New Canaan hosted the Shark players and fans with refreshments.

On Sunday, the Sharks faced Greenwich in the final game of USMMA league play. Greenwich had beaten New Canaan and has defeated the Sharks before. But at the last game between these two teams, the Sharks pulled off a victory after rebounding from a loss to Massapequa in a tournament in the heat at Long Beach. The Greenwich travel lacrosse program has been around for 33 years and they always field fast and well-disciplined teams. This year's team is no exception.

The Sharks were shut out during the first period, with Greenwich scoring three unanswered goals. With their backs up against the wall at halftime, the Sharks' determination was high as they re-entered the field facing a 3-0 deficit with a difficult adversary. They had numerous man-down situations that constantly taxed the defense and battled on the face-offs.

The second half opened with another quick goal by Greenwich. Rather than become deflated with a now four-goal deficit, the Sharks responded to the challenge. Within three minutes, two goals by Sean Mahon from Coleman and Mahon unassisted off face-off wins opened the scoring for the Sharks. Mahon, Jahelka and Fisher worked seamlessly on the face-offs, as Mahon won them unassisted or raked the ball to the skilled long-polers, who deftly outscooped their opponents and passed forward for fast breaks or Shark attacks.

The ball soon found Coleman, who scored, unassisted, to bring the Sharks within one goal (4-3) with nine minutes remaining. Coleman then found Dwyer who scored the tying goal with four minutes remaining. Suddenly, an eerie quiet fell over the Greenwich players and their fans. But Greenwich continued to play tough to the end.

A great shot by Kyle Johnson was celebrated as a goal, only to be disallowed because of a toe in the crease. Johnson then hit Thornton who scored the go-ahead goal. The Sharks were up 5-4 with 37 seconds remaining. It was a very long half-minute. In that time, there were several turnovers by both teams and referee calls resulting in changes of possession. Greenwich had possession in the last seconds of the game and managed to get the ball to a shooter who scored the final goal of the game to tie it up at 5.

The USMMA League play was a great success, thanks to coordinator Doug Dwyer and his support at USMMA. Teams traveled from Westchester County, New Jersey, Connecticut and All-Star teams from Long Island participated in this league play, which provided high quality lacrosse competition with good lacrosse and sportsmanship on a great turf field in an historic setting.

The Sharks traveled to UPENN's Franklin Field to participate in an annual tournament with teams from Towson, Darien and Summit. The tournament at UPENN was scheduled in conjunction with the NCAA finals weekend, which are also being held in Philadelphia. Coach Coleman, who played lacrosse for UPENN, looked forward to participating in yet another game on Franklin Field. It's a reunion of sorts for some of the coaches, who played as teammates for UPENN, and are now coaching youth lacrosse teams.

"It's also a reunion for the Coleman family," Coach Jahelka, referring to the fact that Pete's mom and dad, who live in Hilton Head, NC sometimes make the trip, said. "It's a poignant picture- looking up behind us into the stands and seeing Pete's mom and dad up there, watching their son on the sidelines as he coaches their grandson, Brian, on Pete's college field," Jahelka added.