Host Kodiaks down makeshift Brooklin squad in home opener

By Sam Laskaris 

You’ll have to forgive Brooklin Lacrosse Club head coach Jason Crosbie if he was fumbling around with some names on Sunday.

That’s because Crosbie had 16 of his regular players unavailable for the team’s Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season opener against the host Cobourg Kodiaks.

The Brooklin club, which had 12 players compete in their first MSL contest, was downed 11-5 by the Kodiaks.

- Photo by Sam Hossack

“They did great,” Crosbie said of those who were in his team’s lineup. “They never skipped on energy or effort or compete.”

Despite losing by a half dozen goals, Brooklin actually outshot Cobourg by a 50-49 count in the match, held at the Cobourg Community Centre.

“And I think we hit nine posts,” Crosbie said, indicating the score could have been much closer had a handful of those shots found the back of the Kodiaks’ net.

Crosbie’s charges were able to more than hold their own against Cobourg in the opening 20 minutes. The two squads were deadlocked at 3-3 heading into the first intermission.

And Brooklin held a 23-12 advantage in shots at that point.

The Kodiaks, however outscored their visitors 4-1 in each of the next two periods to coast to the victory.

With the win, Cobourg evened its season record at 1-1. The Kodiaks were edged 10-9 by the host Six Nations Chiefs last Monday in their season opener.

One of the bright spots for Brooklin in Sunday’s outing was the play of Nova Scotia native Zac Carrigan, who made his MSL debut.

Carrigan scored four of the Brooklin goals.

“He is a great kid,” Crosbie said of Carrigan, who has also been starring lately with Brooklin’s Senior B affiliate, the Brooklin Merchants. “He’s very poised for being a kid that just played his first MSL game. He doesn’t get too high or too low.”

Trent Boyd netted Brooklin’s other goal against the Kodiaks.

A pair of other Merchants’ players also had impressive outings. Parker Pipher chipped in offensively with four assists while Dylan Goddard earned three assists.

Also, Riley Hutchcraft made 38 saves between the pipes for Brooklin.- Photo by Sam Hossack

Up next for Brooklin is the club’s home opener this Wednesday. The Chiefs will provide the opposition for that contest, which will be held at Iroquois Park Sports Complex in Whitby.

The opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

It is expected Crosbie will once again have to work with a patched-up roster on Wednesday since many players expected to suit up for Brooklin this season have yet to report for action following their pro or collegiate commitments south of the border.