Six Nations Chiefs Hand Brooklin Another Loss

By Sam Laskaris

Looking at the bright side Brent Noseworthy managed to score his first two Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) goals on Tuesday.But for Noseworthy and his Brooklin Lacrosse Club teammates there wasn’t much else to brag about. That’s because the host Six Nations Chiefs downed Brooklin 10-4. While the Chiefs improved their record to 6-2, Brooklin suffered another disappointing loss and is still winless after eight starts this season.

The match was held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, located on the outskirts of the Six Nations community of Ohsweken.

Brooklin’s head coach Brad MacArthur was obviously pleased to see Noseworthy, a 23-year-old who lives in Burlington, net his first goals in the league. “Ironically we had to play him out of position because other guys weren’t here,” said MacArthur, who doubles as Brooklin’s general manager. Brooklin was forced to play the contest with just 16 runners. That’s because a couple of others who were expected to suit up for the squad last night notified MacArthur while he was en route to the match that they would not be available.

“It’s unacceptable,” MacArthur said of the late notice from the no-shows. MacArthur had plenty of praise though for those who did suit up for his side Tuesday. “They played as hard as they could,” he said. “Guys were battling all night long.”

Noseworthy, who completed a stellar field lacrosse career with the University of Michigan earlier this year, said he was told just prior to Tuesday’s game that he would be moved up from his usual defender position to try to provide some offence.
“It feels good to score those goals,” said Noseworthy, who served as the Michigan captain during its 2019 campaign.

Noteworthy added he would have preferred if he had scored his goals while contributing to a Brooklin victory.

“It’s good to get some (offensive) touches,” he said, adding he believes he had just one shot on goal this season heading into Tuesday’s match. Like MacArthur, Noseworthy was also disappointed to see his club not dress a full roster. “It’s tough,” he said. “But we had to make due with what we had.”

Brooklin was able to hold its own for a good chunk of the first period against the Chiefs. After Noseworthy’s first MSL goal in the 15th minute it looked like the two squads might even be deadlocked at a goal apiece following the opening frame. But the Chiefs scored three late goals, including one marker with just one second remaining in the period, to lead 4-1 after 20 minutes of action. Six Nations extended its lead to 7-3 following the second period. And then the Chiefs cruised to victory by outscoring Brooklin 3-1 in the final stanza. Travis Getz and Austin Murphy scored the only other Brooklin goals in the contest.

Brooklin returns to action on Wednesday night for a home game in what is expected to be another stiff challenge. That’s because the two-time defending Mann Cup champions, the Peterborough Lakers, will provide the opposition.

The opening faceoff for this match, which will be held at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Prior to the game there will be a 50th anniversary ceremony, honoring members of Brooklin’s 1969 Mann Cup championship squad.