Brooklin on verge of elimination following road loss in Peterborough

By Sam Laskaris

Members of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club certainly have their backs up against the proverbial wall now.

Brooklin was downed 16-7 by the host Peterborough Lakers on Sunday. With that victory the Lakers now lead their best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) semi-final series 3-0. Brooklin will be looking to stay alive in the series when it hosts Game 4 on Tuesday. That match, at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

For the third time this series, the Lakers were able to jump out to an early lead on Sunday. The Lakers scored the first five goals of the match, which was held at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

“Again, another struggle in the first period,” said Brooklin head coach Jason Crosbie. “We have got to find a way to come out a little better. I think they do a good job of stepping on the gas right away. We have to be prepared a little more.”

Crosbie’s charges found themselves down 5-2 after the first 20 minutes of action. The Lakers then took control in the second frame, outscoring Brooklin 8-4, to enjoy a commanding 13-6 lead heading into the final period. Brooklin actually outshot the Lakers 51-47. 

“We outshot them tonight but just couldn’t find the back of the next,” Crosbie said. “(Peterborough goalie Landon) Kells played pretty good tonight. He was on point and our shooting wasn’t the best.”

Crosbie was also once again pleased with the efforts of his charges.

“We just need to buckle down a bit,” he said. “The third period is when the character of the guys showed a little bit. It was a really good period.”

Crosbie, however, realizes, his youthful charges are facing a powerhouse roster, which is comprised almost entirely of players that also toil in the professional National Lacrosse League. 

“It’s a bunch of young guys versus a bunch of pros,” he said. “Same old story. Money versus no money. They can draw the fans and pay the players to play and we’re a community-based team with money to scrape by to have a team.”

Brooklin had lost the first two games of the series by three and two goals, respectively. Despite Sunday’s nine-goal deficit, Crosbie added his players are battling as best as they can.

“I’m proud of my guys for not quitting,” he said. “The young guys are learning at how to play at the pro level and what to do and how to do it.”

Down 3-0 in the series, the Brooklin club must register a W now on Tuesday to extend its 2023 campaign.

“All you can do is worry about the next game, the next shift, the next period, all that sort of stuff,” Crosbie said. “And maybe try to win one at home and try to build some confidence. We’ll see them on Tuesday and try to chip away at this.” Luke Pilcher and Kyle Waters scored three goals each for Brooklin on Sunday. Connor Kearnan scored the other Brooklin goal.