VFLL's First Games of the New Year
A great atmosphere at the University of Victoria fields Sunday evening as a dozen JDF field lacrosse supporters from their associations U13-2 team and a variety of friends, family and FB page followers attended the first game of the new year. In all counted, we had 40+ in attendance cheering on players as they returned to the turf Sunday night.
The first match-up between the Knights and the Goal Diggers occurred back on November 27th when the Diggers held a 3 goal first half lead and fought hard to keep it, only to have the Knights claw back in the second half to score five (5) straight fourth quarter goals to tie the game with just over a minute to go in regulation.
Fast forward 8 weeks... the Knights were behind by two after the first quarter, by one at half, then by three after the third quarter. The game looked like the earlier match for certain, but the Goal Diggers seemed to have the advantage and control with just under 3 minutes to play until the first penalty of the game was called, an unfortunate costly trip to the sin bin for the GD's as Rhys MacDonald took advantage scoring twice to tie the game with 1:45 left in the game.
The Knights 'keeper Will Chiasson made a remarkable save with :24 seconds left and head-manned the ball up to a middy for a 4 on 3 fast break and everyone was standing to see if the break would amount to a goal but... a time-out got called with :17 seconds left negating the FB opportunity. The game ended in a tie after a couple of passes and a blocked outside shot.
HeadCase Sportz Players of the Game:
Knights: Parker Johnson
Goal Diggers: Rees Cullen
A new year and players came back refreshed, signing up new recruits and fresh legs for the remainder of this inaugural season. The Plugs fielded a solid roster for Sunday nights game while the Phantom fielded a good roster of players with new recruits as well.
Unfortunately for the Phantom, some of their stronger positional players were away on vacation still and an unprecedented 6 were ill; not helping the Phantoms at all as they still were seeking their first "W" of the season.
Both teams played "lights out" for the first 9 minutes of the match until Brodie Wade buried a beauty of a shot, ripping the twine for the first goal of the game. Then more great defensive play by both teams thwarted any opportunities by either team until the Phantoms' Josh Nelson "hit net" tying the game at 1's. The Plugs then went "unplugged" for the next two quarters, adding in the loss of the Phantom goaltender due to illness and the flood gates leaked from there for the visiting Phantom. Cudos to the visitors for putting in a non-playing goaltender and keeping the Plugs at bay during stints in the match. A full, healthy roster is on the menu for the Phantom for their game next week vs. the Goal Diggers.
HeadCase Sportz Players of the Game:
Phantom: Caleb Nordstrom
Plugs: Andrew McMillan