Landon Knocks Off Bullis for the IAC Title

If the April 5th meeting between Landon and Bullis was any indication on what to expect this past Saturday in the IAC Championship, then Landon never got the message. The Bears avenged a 7-6 loss to Bullis five weeks prior and took home their 28th league title with a 7-4 victory over Bullis Saturday night. It was the first time Landon won the IAC since the 2010 season. Last year, Prep defeated Landon in overtime, 7-6. 

“To lose the last one in overtime, it was the worst feeling,” said senior goalie Alex Joyce. “We definitely didn’t forget that feeling.” 

Joyce (Georgetown) led the Bears defensively with 10 saves while Matt Potolicchio (3 goals), Charlie Schnider (2 goals), Jack Falk (1 goal) and Peter Laco (1 goal) accounted for all the scoring. Potolicchio (Richmond) finished the season with 24 goals while Schnider (Maryland) recorded 19 goals and 16 assists. Only Drexel commit Hank Brown (24 goals, 14 assists) put up the kind of numbers Potolicchio and Schnider accrued this past season. 

Landon built a commanding 5-1 lead at the half and held off a late rally by Bullis to earn the victory. Bullis was led by Brown commit Kylor Bellistri, who finished with a team-high three goals on the night. 

After the game, Bullis coach Bobby Pollicino said his team was moving in the right direction. Pollicino took over as the varsity coach three years ago, and the team has won a number of big games since, including victories over Georgetown Prep and Landon the past two years during the regular season. 

"We’re not trying to be competitive, we’re not trying to keep games close -- we’re in it to win it,” Pollicino said. 

Bullis will return nearly 20 players from this year's roster, but getting past Landon will be tough. The Bears have 26 players from this year's team who will return in 2013, including sophomores Sean O'Brien and Jack Falk and junior Taylor Valencia, amongst others. 

Check out more IAC lacrosse photos here: IAC Lacrosse Photo Gallery