Road Win Moves BLC Closer to Lakers for Second Overall

By Mark Stehlin

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club traveled to the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre last night for the second time this season. With the 10-7 win over the Oakville Rock they find themselves just behind Peterborough for second overall. Additionally, with the win, BLC swept the season series over the Rock by three games to none. A review of the rosters from both clubs shows connections with the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). For BLC, Chris Boushy and Jake Darlison both suit up for the Rock in the winter league.

The visitors wasted no time as Brady Kearnan, on the power play with three minutes off the clock,  opened the scoring. BLC would add three more that frame for a 4-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes.  Jacob Hickey on a nice transition with fellow defender Mike Byrne took the ball down the floor and scored on Rock netminder, Troy Holowchuk, also on the Toronto Rock roster. Zach Miller opened his BLC account by scoring his first of the season. Shots on net after one period favoured BLC by 20-10.

Luke Keenan for BLC added another to start the middle period before the Rock scored their first on starter Steven Orleman. Fans in the stands were looking for the replay as Luke Robinson’s shot seemed to hit the target but just as quickly caromed off the glass behind Orleman.  The BLC netminder clarified at intermission that the ball seemed to find  a small hole in the netting just under the bar. For BLC, it was Mike Byrne with his first of the season just thirty seconds later on a patient play to answer right back. Score after forty minutes was 7-5 for BLC as Oakville clawed their way back into the game.

BLC fans cheered as Kearnan, with his second of the night, scored the eventual game winner with just 30 seconds off the clock. Darlison responded with a goal of his own just after the Rock responded to Kearnan’s early goal and BLC took charge down the stretch for the 10-7 win. Shots overall were 55-41 in favour of BLC.

“It’s always fun to play against those guys, kind of like playing my team away from home as I know the personnel better than most opponents, but of course my focus is with Brooklin” said Darlison when asked about facing his NLL teammates.   

“It’s my first year with BLC, it’s always good to play for the hometown team.  We’ve had some good runs this season but also some slips, we know with playoffs coming we need to keep hustling and grinding, and we should be good,” added Darlison.

Scoring – Hickey (2,0) MacLeod (0,3) Kennan (1,1) Westley (0,3) White (0,1) Boushy (1,1) Byrne (1,1) Miller (2,0) Simard (0,1) Darlison 1,0) B Kearnan (2,1)

Next up BLC will host the Owen Sound NorthStars on Alumni Night Wednesday July 16 when all former players receive a free ticket to the game and the chance to bring a friend along for free as well.