Addition to Swat quick to chip in and help defeat Mountaineers
After a strong start to their season, the Saskatchewan Swat bolstered the lineup with a two-time state champion from Colorado, and continued their strong play on the weekend.
The Swat defeated the Calgary Mountaineers 22-8 on Saturday before surviving an 11-10 nail biter in a rematch on Sunday at Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena in Saskatoon. The Swat lead the Junior B Tier I Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League with a 7-1-1 record.
New addition Austin Shindoll from Centennial, Colo., picked up his first goal in his first game with the Swat on Sunday. Shindoll, 18, previously helped the Arapahoe High School Warriors win two state championships in four years. Despite losing in this year’s quarter-finals, Shindoll had 38 goals and 10 assists in 16 games this year for the Warriors.
“He’s athletic and he’s got talent,” said Swat co-head coach Casey Guerin. “It was nice to see him pot his first goal here today — get that off his back. He’s going to add value to this team, and I think he’s going to catch on quick. I see him playing a lot.”
So how does a junior lacrosse player from Colorado end up playing in Saskatoon?
Shindoll played box lacrosse in Toronto two summers ago. The goalie on that team was Justin Warner, who played for the Swat last year. Warner let his Swat coaches know about this great prospect from Colorado. Coach Guerin got in touch with Shindoll, and when the young player’s high school season wrapped up recently, he found himself heading north.
“This is my first time in Saskatchewan,” Shindoll said. “Everything worked out so I’m here and just really grateful to have the opportunity on this team.”
Shindoll has only been in Saskatoon long enough to attend two practices. He sat out his first game on Saturday to acclimatize to the game action.
“I actually like (Saskatoon) a lot. It’s not that different from Colorado, surprisingly. Small town, really love it so far, and no complaints or anything.”
Three other players rejoined the Swat this week after playing at various Universities. Kaelen Naylor returned after playing Division 1 lacrosse with the Canisius College Golden Griffins. Sam Murphy played division two for the University of Tampa Spartans. And Rhett Handley made his way back from Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
The fresh faces add depth to an already strong Swat lineup that led the south division heading into their weekend matchup with the second-place Mountaineers. A Swat sweep moves them seven points clear of the Mountaineers.
The Swat next see action on June 6 and 7 at home against the Rockyview Silvertips.
STAR OF THE GAME: Sunday’s star performance was put up by backup goaltender Ryan Wahobin who made several sparkling saves, but originally wasn’t even planning on dressing due to a stomach bug. He played the entire game when original starter Jeremy Carter could not play due to shin splints.