Solid Effort Not Enough As BLC Suffer Road Loss

By Mark Stehlin

Coming off a win on Saturday in Owen Sound, the Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) were in Oakville on Monday night to battle the Rock. The team needed some momentum as the schedule has reached the final third of the regular season. Despite a spirited effort they came up just short in an 11-9 loss which dropped them below .500 with a record of 6-7.

The opening frame featured a run and gun display by both sides. The teams showed quick transition and creative offensive displays that engaged the crowd at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC). Chris Boushy just back from the European Box Lacrosse Championship in Prague, Czechia, opened the scoring for BLC. At the tournament, in five games for the German team, he scored 23 goals and added 15 assists. Also scoring for BLC was newcomer, Dylan Watson. Sitting in the audience was his father, Bob whose retired # 29 jersey from his time with the Toronto Rock jersey could be seen hanging from the rafters at the TRAC.

“I’m excited to be here and know some of the guys who I have played with before and to play alongside some new guys is good too,” said Watson.

“Tonight was a bit of a track meet out there, so we have to be prepared for that come Wednesday and continue to try and mesh a little better as a team and look for a way to get the result,” added Watson.

With the first period ending 4-3 for Oakville, BLC came out of the room looking for ways to regain the lead. It wouldn’t take long as Chase Scanlan, in close on Oakville starter Landon Kells, found a gap and deposited the ball to tie the game. Just thirty seconds later, first year BLC face-off specialist, Jack Oldman won the rebound and fired it home for the lead. As the period wound down, former BLC player Justin Lee scored for his new side. Cam Acchione was assessed a penalty with eight minutes to go and as he departed the box he grabbed a pass and scored and tied the contest at 6-6 with one period remaining.

It was Dan Lintner for BLC with a hard-earned goal, falling towards the crease that broke the tie with 13:37 showing on the clock. Shortly after, the Rock launched a three-goal run in a span of two minutes that opened the game for more offense. Scanlan and Watson both scored their second goals of the night in that third period, but it would not be enough as Oakville took the 11-9 win.

“I think our work ethic was very good and that is something we talk about each night; they are a good team and they capitalized on a couple of our mistakes. We are learning as we go and building chemistry,” said head coach Joel Johnson.

The teams will meet on Wednesday July 8 at 8:00 p.m. at Iroquois Park Sports Centre and this will give BLC a chance for retribution and , more importantly, a shot of confidence as the team heads into the stretch run.