ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Former America East stars Merrick Thomson, Brett Queener, John Grant and Jordan Levine led the Toronto Nationals to the 2009 Major League Lacrosse championship with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Brendan Mundorf, Drew Westervelt and the top-seeded Denver Outlaws on Sunday, Aug. 23 before more than 7,000 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The MLL championship aired live nationally on ESPN2.
Thomson, who had two second-half goals, was named the MLL Playoff MVP. A third-team USILA All-American on the collegiate level at UAlbany, Thomson had four goals, including the game-winner in Saturday's 14-13 semifinal win against Long Island. He was named to the All-MLL team for the second consecutive year last week.
Queener, a goalkeeper who broke his right hand in the warm-up period prior to the semifinal matchup with Long Island, came off the bench at halftime in the championship and made 11 saves over the final two quarters. Queener, who played for the Rochester Rattlers one year ago and was a three-time All-America East selection while at Albany, won his second straight MLL title.
Grant, a teammate with Queener on Rochester's championship squad last season, scored twice including the Nationals' first goal of the fourth quarter. The 1999 America East Player of the Year for Delaware, Grant was the MLL Most Valuable Player a year ago.
Levine, a second-year pro after earning second-6team USILA All-America recognition in 2008 for Albany, had three ground balls against Denver in the final from his midfield position.
Mundorf, a two-time America East Player of the Year for UMBC, tallied a game-high five points on three goals and two assists. He received earned All-MLL honors for the first time last week.
Westervelt, a teammate of Mundorf's at UMBC, tallied one assist in the Outlaws' two playoff games.
Information from University at Albany Athletic Media Relations was used in this report