Trent wins first place showdown
Trent Excalibur men’s lacrosse team shortened its path to a league final on Sunday afternoon.
The Excalibur won a firstplace showdown with the McGill Redmen to clinch top spot In the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association’s East Division. They entered the game with an 8-1 record against the 9-0 Redmen needing to win by two or more goals to clinch first and did even better with a convincing
12-7 triumph. Their lone loss was 16-14 to McGill in Montreal.
The Excalibur will host the Ottawa Gee Gees on Saturday afternoon in opening round playoff action. A game time hasn’t been confirmed. If they win, Trent’s first place status gives them a quarter-final bye into the Baggataway Cup semifinals at University of Toronto Nov. 9-11.
“First place was definitely something we were looking for all year,” said Jeff Fernandes, who led Trent with four goals. “When you get to the Baggataway you don’t have to play that Friday game so it’s very important to us. It’s the first step in our championship process.”
Fernandes scored late in the first half to give Trent a 5-4 lead. They scored three straight to start the second half going up 8-4. McGill never got closer than three again.
“The coaching staff prepared us very well throughout the week for different sets and plays we ran. When we got the ball, we were very patient and took our time in the offensive zone. Defensively, we were stellar. Guys like Ethan Schott and Josh Martin were really working.”
Excalibur head coach Mark Farthing said it was an important win.
“We’re ow not subject to the quarter-final game which is huge,” he said. “When we have that kind of alumni and crowd in the house it’s a monumental win for our program to get the big win over McGill and prove ourselves as the big boys in the east.”
Farthing said his team put it all together.
“We’ve come a long way in terms of discipline and putting our nose to the grindstone and letting mistakes fall off our backs,” he said. “We don’t chirp the other team as much or get into it as much. We’re turning into a disciplined lacrosse team.”
Farthing says they’ll take nothing for granted against Ottawa.
“Ottawa beat McGill three years ago in this exact game and kept McGill away from the Baggataway when they were first seed. It’s not going to be a walkover next week. We have to prepare this week and come ready for a war,” said Farthing.
Redmen coach Tim Murdoch said he knew how good Trent was but after a 9-1 win Saturday over Queen’s perhaps his players were “a little too comfortable.
“Our offence really didn’t produce,” said Murdoch. “We missed too many shots. They outworked us on ground balls. With this team you just can’t let their shooters get free or they’re going to torch you.”
Nick Finlay and Nick Chaykowsky scored two goals each for Trent while Adam Perroni, Nic Andreoli, Cam Garlin and Nick Karam.
Seth Obadia scored a hat trick for McGill while Andrew Chase scored twice with singles to Liam MacDonald and Ryan Hebert.