Lacrosse Shootout draws more than 4,000 people to Greenport

The playing fields of Greenport High School were the site for more than 4,200 lacrosse players, coaches, parents, umpires and spectators for the 21st annual Greenport Lacrosse Shootout this past weekend. 

Despite the wet and windy weather, young lacrosse players from Nassau and Suffolk County community groups, PAL youth clubs, middle school and varsity high school players enjoyed the round-robin tournament that is sponsored by the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation.

A record number of 82 youth teams (60 boys and 22 girls programs) participated this year. In addition, 11 post-high school men’s lacrosse teams participated in competition for the tournament championship trophy, which was won by Harvey’s Team in a thrilling overtime final.

“Each year this event gets bigger and better and more popular in terms of registration, sponsorship and spectators,” the foundation’s president, Angela Ritchie, said. “As a chapter of U.S. Lacrosse, the governing body of lacrosse in our country, our mission is to do as much as we can in fostering and promoting the game of lacrosse in the metropolitan New York and Long Island areas. With more teams registering, the continuing support of our commercial sponsors, Greenport Village officials and the Greenport schools Board of Education, we are able to provide scholarships to deserving athletes and programs in this large area. Of course, we also love coming here and the role we play in having so many parents and fans visit this great village.”

Proceeds from the Greenport Shootout and other events has enabled the LIMLF to fund scholarships for boys and girls high school programs, the Outreach Program, Special Needs Programs, and youth and community start-up programs. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Greenport High School for worthy students. In addition, six scholarship awards were presented this past season to outstanding lacrosse student-athletes from Nassau and Suffolk counties and New York City.