The U16 North Island field lacrosse team, sponsored by Saratoga Ventures, hosted the Pac Rim team from Victoria for a double header recently.
The North Island Rage moved the ball well in the first quarter, with midfielders Brady Garrett and Ryan Beauchamp finding Tanner Jones on attack for some early chances.
The Rage scored first, with Jordan Balon feeding Graham Evans cutting across the crease and putting it away.
In an unusually low-scoring game, Alec Molander got the only goal of the second quarter with a laser from ten yards out. Molander scored again in the third quarter on a power play. Bailey Robinson’s face-off prowess and Anthony Vigneron’s speed in the transition kept the Pac Rim boys scrambling.
Evans found Jory Clermont with some space and he scored the fourth and final goal in a 4-0 win for the North Island team. Big sticks Nathan Hoff, Colton Edwards, Roy Uzzel and Taylor Arbor did a masterful job of minimizing Pac Rim’s scoring opportunities. Sal Burchill, a box goalie who has made the transition to field this year, has been nothing short of spectacular all season and earned a well-deserved shut-out.
The second game saw North Island win 9-4 in a more typical field lacrosse game, with goals by Ryan Smith (2), Molander (2), Balon, Griffin Whyley, Evans, Adam Mason and Kyle Maximick.
Beauchamp and Marshall Pay from the U14 team came up for the day and looked completely at home with the faster, older boys.
Also on Sunday, despite adverse weather conditions, the North Island Rage supported by Jackson and Associates played hard but lost their first games of the season to Vic Field 1 Team from Victoria.
The Rage ran hard and put in their best effort during both games.
The Rage are heading to Richmond for the third Annual Road Runner Romp tournament from November 9-12.
They are hitting the streets this week and next to collect bottles to fundraise for the tournament, so keep your bottles handy.
North Island Field Lacrosse has been a successful blending of Campbell River and Comox Valley players and the team would like to thank its sponsor, coaches and fans.