Sounds like a great heavyweight championship bout doesn't it. On March 7th, former WA HS All-Americans Todd Thorpe (Curtis '98) and Jeff "Mungo" Pattison (Mercer Island '99) will square off in a top Division III match up when Roanoke (Virginia) travels west to Whittier (CA). This is a rematch of last year's battle where Whittier traveled east and won a close one. Additionally, Lawrence Franklin, (Franklin HS '00), is on the Whittier Poet's roster and may see some time at the midfield.

Walax.com has asked Todd and Jeff to provide a little backdrop for the game and recap. Watch for updates here:

From: Jeff Pattison "Losing to Todd and the Poets in 2001 left a very sour taste in our mouth. We are very eager, and excited to travel to San Diego California to get our revenge. The weather here has been cold, we had to play Wingate University in below freezing temperatures, not to mention the wind. We are looking forward to a sunny and warm spring break. Last year, Whittier and Roanoke played a very even game, the game could have ended either way, but in the end, the poets escaped with the victory. I expect for this game to be a very good one as well, we return both of our attack and midfield units, as well as the core of our defense and goalie. So far we are 2 and 0 with wins over Wingate and Catawba. As for myself, I'm about the 4th midfielder, so I see most of my time on the second midfield. Things are looking pretty good for us this season, and on thursday, hopefully it will all come together, and this time the "Noke" will leave California with suntans and a victory over the "Poets" in our pockets. From Todd Thorpe: "We have started off our season strong beating BYU 12-4 and Sonoma State 16-6. Coming into the Roanoke game we are looking forward to playing a competitive ranked team. Last years game was exciting and hopefully this years will be as well.

From the Whittier Lax Site:

Todd Thorpe
Sr. Midfield
5�10 180
Bellarmine College Prep.
Tacoma, WA

At Whittier: Stepped up as a Junior showing his versatility and played as a goalie in 8 games with a .571% save percentage in a back up role. In his freshman and sophomore seasons he was used as a defensive midfielder.
Prior to Whittier: Was selected as a High School All American his senior year after scoring 51 goals and 21 assists. He was a 1st Team All League selection as a junior and senior and participated in the National High School North - South game as a senior.

Read about the 2001 Match