It may have seemed magic was required, but for the New Westminster Warlocks, capturing a first-ever
Canada West Field Lacrosse League playoff title was an accomplishment of pure hard work and determination.
The club shook off a slow start to the season and a player numbers issue that nearly caused them to pull the plug midway through to a finale where they dunked the Beerhunters 8-6 in the tier 1 provincial final Sunday in Coquitlam.
Considering how close it came to a lost year -- with two losses due to a lack of players -- the victory was extremely sweet.
“A real take-away from the season is that if we put our minds, our hearts, and our bodies towards something, anything is possible,” said head coach Keith Gagne. “Everyone makes mistakes, it’s those who learn and grow from them that make the difference.”
The Beerhunters struck first, but New West replied and led 3-1 at halftime. Ahead 7-3, the Warlocks faced a fierce rally as the favoured Beerhunters struck for three goals to make it 7-6 midway through the fourth frame.
New West held down the fort thanks to some diligent defence, led by David Beaumont and Justin Goodwin, voted the defensive MVP of the final.
Connecting for the offence were Jordan McBride, with two, Jordan Catton, Carson Metcalf, Mark Negrin, Ben Taylor, Alec Tuura and Ryan Watson.
During the regular season, they managed an 8-8 draw and suffered a 13-6 defeat at the hands of the Beerhunters, before turning the tables on the last game of the season. Quite a capper to an improbable -- at least on the surface -- championship run.
New West entered the playoffs as a .500 team, well behind the second-place Beerhunters. In the opening round they bested Nanaimo 12-7 and first-place Whalley 7-4 to qualify for the semifinal, where they manhandled Ladner 14-3.
It was the momentum the club coveted all year but found elusive.
“The team struggled midseason, we lost a few close games by a goal or two that could have easily been wins. We regrouped for the second half and got ourselves into a position to compete for the title,” said Gagne.
But they almost had no opportunity to regroup after facing its midseason crisis.
“It was a low point for the Warlocks, and we had two options: fold, or rebuild. (Player-coach) Scott
Janssen, Jordan McBride, and (goalie) Ross Manson stepped up to take over managing the team, got players to show up, and the rest is history,” added Gagne.
They were part of an invaluable core which helped turn the page, noted the coach.
“The team rallies around (attackers) McBride, Negrin, (defender) Calvin Castagner and Manson,” said Gagne. “Jordan was a standout in college at Stony Brook University in New York, he’s played in the (Western Lacrosse Association, National Lacrosse League, Major Lacrosse League)... He brings a level of experience that changes the entire dynamic of the team. Calvin is the captain of the defensive unit and is a born leader. Ross is a goalie everyone wishes they had.”
In tier 2 action, the University of B.C. Thunderbirds swept their way to the title, edging the Victoria Axmen 10-9 in the final.
As a second-year program, the UBC Lacrosse Sports Club has put itself on the map quickly, advancing to the provincial final both times.
This time, they got the decision they coveted.
Freshman and Burnaby native James Lattimer broke the tie to lift UBC to its first title.
The lineup includes a pair of New West products -- Louis Landolt and James McKenzie, and coach Kyle Robinson.
