A home-grown New Westminster field lacrosse team is this year’s Division 1 national champions.
The New Westminster Warlocks overcame an earlier 11-8 loss to Whalley in the preliminary round to upset the Surrey side 13-11 in the gold-medal final to win the Ross Cup at Willoughby Park in Langley on Sunday.
Quinn Mackay led the Warlocks with three goals, while tournament MVP Mark Negrin, game MVP Reese Robinson and Eric Tuura all scored a pair of goals for the New Westminster club.
Negrin and Jonathon Rachfall were also named tournament all-stars. Ross Manson was named the top goalie in the tournament.
Also scoring in the championship final for New West were Reid Mydske, Leif Mydske, Jackson Treanor and Jaeden Gastaldo.
New West scored a 17-10 win over Alberta on the opening day of the three-day event on Oct. 11.
The Warlocks then defeated Team Ontario 18-11, before losing to Whalley in the round robin.
The loss was the second defeat for New West against the Surrey club. The Warlocks also came up short against Whalley in the provincial final played back in April.
“Having just lost to Whalley, … the boys were more focussed and determined. We never trailed once in the final,” said New Westminster coach Dirk Rachfall.
“Unlike the other teams, which were comprised of players from everywhere – essentially all-star teams – every player on the New West team is from our community and have been members of the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association.”
Ontario edged Alberta 9-8 in the consolation final to earn the Victory Trophy.
Twitter @Thomas Berridge
