|
It was a very productive and satisfying year for the
local Sarnia Intermediate Lady Pacers in only their
second season of existence.
In the past couple of weeks they have been
successful in capturing “Gold” in the Ontario
Lacrosse Association (OLA) Zone 7 Championships in
Windsor and also at the Provincial Championships in
Whitby.
In Windsor at the Zone Championships, the girls
started with a hard fought 2-1 win over the London
Blue Devils and followed that up with a decisive 8-1
win over the Wallaceburg Griffins.
Sarnia was short handed for both games, flooring
just 9 runners and a goalie. But, through hard work,
determination and unified team work they were able
to bring home the hardware.
In Whitby at the Ontario Provincial Lacrosse
Festival, the girls first faced the home team,
Whitby who is the 2nd ranked team in the province.
Whitby, a tough opponent came away with a 6-2 win
over the Pacers. Scoring for Sarnia was Michaeline
Falla with 1 goal and 1 assist, Jillian Rops with 1
goal, Emily Regan and Emily Piggott with 1 assist
each.
The Pacers next faced the Clarington Gaels in the
“B” division and played probably one of their worst
games of the year losing 7-3. Scoring was provided
by Falla with 2 goals, McKayla Eves with 1 goal and
Piggott with an assist.
A slow start and two losses proved to be a wake-up
call for the Pacers thus beating their next
opponent, the Mississauga Tomahawks by a score of
4-2. Scoring was provided by Stephanie Charteris
with 2 goals and 1 assist, Jillian Rops with 1 goal
and 1assist, Amy VandenEynde with 1 goal and Falla
with an assist. Piggott was stunning in goal and
held her ground, stopping many shots thrown at her
throughout the game by the lady Tomahawks. Strong
play at both ends of the floor by Riley Wilhelm and
Kayla Roache helped to seal this important win and a
trip to the semi-finals.
On the third day of the tournament, Sarnia faced the
Hamilton Bengals in a semi-final elimination game
and hit their stride winning 7-1. Charteris and her
strong play led the scoring again with 4 goals and 1
assist, Eves with 1 goal and 1 assist, Amy Rawlings
with 1 goal, Falla with 1 goal, Bridget Folk with 3
assists, Emily Donkers with 2 assists, Jillian Rops
with 2 assists and Jenna Rops with 1 assist.
Next up would be a re-match with the Clarington
Gaels in the final to decide the Intermediate “B”
Champions.
Head Coach, Tom Quinn and Assistant Coach Mat Matej
were determined to have their ladies ready and
focused for a little redemption at the Iroquois Park
arena. The ladies from Sarnia were ready to prove
they were not the same team Clarington had seen
previously.
The Pacers came out strong attacking the Gaels with
3 goals in the first period to go up 3-0. Charteris
provided 2 goals and Jillian Rops with 1 goal and
Folk and Regan with 1 assist each. With the Pacers
pressing hard in the Clarington end, Sarnia received
a setback loosing Falla for the rest of the game
from a hard crosscheck to her shoulder.
The second period was scoreless and remained 3-0 for
the Lady Pacers heading into the third.
Clarington got one goal back early in the third
period to make it 3-1 but the Pacers responded with
the encouragement from the bench and the parents in
the stands. The determined Sarnia bunch provided 4
more goals to win the title by a score of 7-1.
Scoring in the third came from Charteris with 2
goals, Eves with 2 goals and 1 assist from Regan.
Other injured players Kassie Roach and Kim Poole
cheered on from the bench and were very supportive
all year long.
Follow Sarniasports on twitter
@sarniasports.
Get up to the minute news, and live scores
as they happen from local events. |
