A great weekend for the group from Vancouver Island; the freshman season for the program established by Kevin Manahan and Gord Cawthorne. Having practices throughout the Vancouver Island Youth Field Lacrosse League season not conflicting with regular season play, the boys from the Island did not disappoint.

The boys had never faced an opponent until this tournament but quickly gelled into a well-rounded squad that gave opponents a handful each and every game. Each game consisted of 2 – 25 minute halves; and the boys played 4 games on Saturday to determine their placing out of the 12 team tournament format.

First out of the blocks was the defending champion R.C. Silver squad from San Diego. After giving up a couple of early goals, the boys in white, navy and baby blue got their first goal of the tournament from the stick of Hazen Platt. Action was quick and both Conor Manahan and Jonah Hewitt saw ‘tending duties and kept the game close. After the final horn sounded, the boys would end up playing a fabulous game in a 5-1 defeat.

Game two had the Seaspray face Southern California Lacrosse in a much more spirited match. End to end play by both teams and an eventual lead change for the Seaspray gave the boys a great boost. SoCal would eventually tie the game with under two minutes of play; the final horn sounds and the Seaspray finish the game with their first point of the weekend, a 9-9 tie.

Game three’s opponent would be ATX (Texas); your V.I. Seaspray are now on a roll. Ben Cawthorne and Rylee Marsh dominated face-offs and allowed the Island to get a few fast breaks early for odd man rushes and eventual goals. Leading 6-3 at half; the boys kept up the pressure and limited their mistakes on the field which enabled them to dictate the style of play for the match. The final score was 16-6 for the Seaspray.

The final game of the day for the Seaspray was their toughest. Facing a high powered attack of the Northern California squad, the NoCal boys wore out the Seaspray throughout the match. Tweaks to knees and ankles prohibited a number of players to sit out this game or have limited duties but the boys didn’t quit; even in a 16-6 defeat.

The boys played strong and hard and didn’t quit. Finishing 7th in the 12 team tournament rankings, the Island boys had to face the 2nd seeded NoCal team, yet again. A tired bunch of boys got another taste of defeat again which eliminated them from medal round play but Game #6 early in the afternoon would have them play for pride.

Finish 7th in the tournament or finish 6th as they ended the tournament facing the Vegas Starz. Vegas came out hard and fast but the boys in blue were equal to the task. The boys doubled each loose ball and never gave up on any check and Vegas could not muster a shot from in front of the Seaspray goal within 20 feet. Carrying a 4-1 halftime lead into the final 25 minutes of the game, the Seaspray would finish the tournament with a 9-1 victory. A weekend of field lacrosse was enjoyed by all players, siblings, parents and grandparents.

A 2-3-1 tournament ending was a great end to a wonderfully played tournament.

Your Seaspray roster…
4-Jonah Hewitt (G)
13-Conor Manahan (G)
15-Georgie Wendt (D)
10-Trent Miller (D)
18-Zach Christianson (D)
17-Hayden Frisch (D)
11-Jacob Krismer (M)
14-Ben Cawthorne (M)
2-Riley Marsh (M)
8-Cody Clark (M)
19-Jeff Lane (M)
6-Brad McCulley (M)
27-Brayden Rossett (M)
9-Rees Cullen (M)
21-Hazen Platt (A)
12-Ian Grundy (A)
22-Connor Leies (A)

Congratulations to all of the boys. Great Job!