Sr. Werewolves made the trek to Fergus last weekend for their first tournament of 2019 and the results were surprisingly positive. A couple of new faces, some good and exciting games and fun times had by all.
The Friday evening opponents were Niagara and both teams were a little slow out of the gate. Werewolves were ahead by 1 at the end of one but behind by 1 at the halfway point. Niagara pulled ahead with 5 unanswered goals and the game looked to be over. Werewolves made a late run at getting back in the game with 3 quick goals but it was all for naught – final score Niagara 10 – Werewolves 6.
Saturday morning dawned bright and early with a 900 game vs. the host Halton Sr. Rams. Everyone must have been laser focused on their defensive game (or seriously hung over – you choose the explanation that seems most fitting) as the entire game was a tight checking affair with low scoring. Werewolves were pressing to the last buzzer but the final score was Halton Hills 3 – London 2. A good game to watch and exciting to the last second.
After the obligatory burger and beverages overlooking the pretty Grand River gorge, Werewolves were back at it against perennial nemesis Toronto Beaches. Team institutional memory seems to say that London has NEVER beaten Beaches in the 20 year history of masters lacrosse – not to say there haven’t been some close calls and some moral victories (we only lost by 1-2 goals a couple of times, not the normal 10!) – would today be any different? Beaches scored early and then added 2 more before London added 1 with a nice breakaway goal from MarkC. Another London goal late in the 1st made the game interesting and a last second buzzer beater from BillM tied the period at 3-3. Oh well, we have been able to keep it close for a period or so in the past…before the flood gates inevitably open. In the 2nd, London scored early to take a LEAD! but Beaches replied 5 minutes later and the teams exited the 2nd period still tied.The 3rd period was a tight defensive struggle with good chances at both ends until RussA cut across the middle and finessed one into the net! GOALLLLL! London ahead! with 5 minutes to go. Some awesome ball control and loose ball pickups and time ran out on a Werewolves victory London 5 – Toronto 4. Funny how beating the current provincial champions for the first time in 20 years makes the dressing room and beer table soooo much happier. Also funny were the long faces at the Beaches’ table – the shame and humiliation of losing to London!
Sunday morning was going to be tough – 5 players missing for various reasons and only 1 new recruit – but what a recruit she was! Lia(Bounce)T made her Senior Masters Travel debut in stunning fashion. In the 1st and 2nd periods London and Windsor exchanged goals and the score was close, London leading by a couple. It looked like it was going to be another nail biter until Lia decided to make a statement – parked at the edge of the crease, she took a pass and threaded a nice bounce(!) shot behind the Windsor goalie for her first career goal in tournament lacrosse. Windsor never recovered and Werewolves added 4 more goals to coast to an easy win – London 9 – Windsor 2 – a fun game and a good end to the weekend.
Next is Brantford in 3 weeks – hopefully the Werewolves can improve on their 2-2 record with some additional wins.
Go Werewolves of London…..AROOOOOOOOOH!
G2