Brooklin Edged By Visiting Rock

By Sam Laskaris

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club is digging itself into a bit of hole. That’s because the Major Series Lacrosse squad is still winless after dropping its fourth straight game, this time by a 7-5 count against the visiting Oakville Rock on Wednesday night. Brooklin managed to score just one goal in the second half of the contest, which was staged at Whitby’s Iroquois Park Sports Centre.

But the mood around the Brooklin dressing room is not a sour one. “We’re dressing a young lineup and we’ve been in every game,” said Brad MacArthur, who doubles as Brooklin’s head coach and general manager. “Despite our record, I think we’re in a good spot.” Though Brooklin is the only club in the six-team MSL that has yet to register a victory this season, MacArthur believes his charges are staying upbeat. “I don’t think they’ve lost faith in each other,” he added.

Derek Suddons, one of Brooklin’s veterans and team captain, said his words of wisdom to his teammates are rather simple.“(It’s about) staying positive,” he said. “It’s a long season and things can turn in a hurry.” Suddons added a couple of Ws can potentially quickly move Brooklin up in the standings.

Brooklin’s inability to score more often on Wednesday was in large part because Oakville goalie Nick Rose, who also plays professionally for the National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock, was rather solid between the pipes. “You’re playing against one of the best goalies in the world,” Suddons said. “I thought we shot the ball well at times but not so well other times.”

With the win, Oakville’s record improved to 3-2. The Rock is in a three-way tie for second place in the league standings. The Cobourg Kodiaks (3-1) and the Six Nations Chiefs (3-2) also have six points. The two-time defending Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers are atop the standings with four wins in five starts.

Curtis Knight led the Brooklin attack on Wednesday scoring twice. Knight’s first goal of the contest, in the eighth minute of the first period, tied the score at 1-1 after the Rock had opened the scoring at the 5:57 mark. Knight’s second of the night, on the powerplay, was the final goal of the game, with just over two minutes remaining.“I thought we played well,” Knight said, echoing the sentiments of his coach and captain. Reilly O’Connor, Adam Perroni and Jake Fox had the other Brooklin goals.

Brooklin is now hoping to come up with its first victory of the season on Thursday, against the host the Brampton Excelsiors. Brampton enters that match having one win in its first five outings. The opening faceoff for this contest, which will be held at Brampton Memorial Arena, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Brooklin’s next home tilt is next Wednesday (June 19) versus the Six Nations Chiefs. Game time is 8 p.m.