The final scores did not count, nor did the statistics from the Price Modern Lacrosse for Leukemia 2000 Fall Invitational Tournament yesterday at McDonogh School.
The only number that mattered was the $103,000 that the event raised to benefit the Maryland Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
"I'm stunned," said Vince Fiduccia, a campaign director for the society.
"It's beyond our wildest dreams. It shows you the dedication of the lacrosse community."
Loyola College coach Dave Cottle served as chairman of the tournament with Milford Marchant, president of Price Modern Inc. "It was a great day, and I couldn't have asked for anything more," Cottle said.
The lacrosse community was on hand to watch some of the nation's collegiate powerhouses, including area squads Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Maryland, UMBC, Towson, Navy, Georgetown and Division III Washington College.
"I felt good about coming here with my team and helping out a good cause," Washington College senior midfielder Dan Meehan said. "It's the second year we have been here, and it's rewarding to know we are doing something good for a great cause."
Each team was paired with a youth "Patient Hero" who served as team captain for the day. In weeks leading up to the event, many of the teams got to know their honorary captain and visited them with signed jerseys, sticks and hats.
"I think you saw it in all our kids' eyes and even in mine when we met our captain, Justin [Knight], who is a young kid with a lot of energy and a lot of spunk," North Carolina coach John Haus said. "It was a treat to give him a ball, a jersey and a stick, and hopefully that will go a long way for him."
According to Justin's mom, Debbi Knight, many of the North Carolina players have helped teach the game to Justin, an 8-year-old Baltimore resident.
"From a parent's perspective, it's just phenomenal," she said. "We really just appreciate the fact that they take the time to raise the money."
That sentiment was shared by Karen Ahalt, a Middletown resident. Two of Ahalt's children - Zeb, 3, and Cole, 6, - were "Patient Heroes" for Ohio State and Butler, respectively.
"Leukemia is the No. 1 childhood cancer, so a lot of research needs to be done to stay on top of it," Ahalt said. "Having money for research is key; you can't do anything without money."
The intensity was evident for the teams, who until yesterday had been confined to intrasquad scrimmages.
"We practice against each other four days a week and beat each other up week in and week out," Washington's Meehan said.
"It's great to vent on someone else."
"It's a steppingstone to the spring; that's when the real excitement starts," Loyola senior midfielder Gavin Prout said. "But it's good to get the pads back on to battle with your friends and other players out there."
