Main photo: The U17 Hawks received one of two silver medals for Huntsville in the 2018 provincial field lacrosse championships (front from left) Keese Zugehoer, Mitchel Lines, Aiden Veitch, Griffen Andrews, Brad Webb, Kaiya Roberson, Owen Pare, Quinton Greenfield (goalie); (back from left) Manager Leslie Reynolds, Coach/Trainer Ross Clarke, Cole Fraiser, Luke Murphy, Jaxon Gill, Colby Reynolds, Ryan Clarke, Brandon Folley, Zack Blair, Mathew Clarke, Coach Taylor Fawcett, Mitchel Lines, Cole Punchard, and Head Coach Cory Veitch (Photo: Jeramie Bailey, Ontario Lacrosse Association)
Huntsville Hawks Lacrosse wrapped up its 2018 spring field lacrosse season at the provincial championships from May 26-28 in Brampton. All teams from U11 to U17 participated and showed best efforts on the field. The U9 Armstrong Dodge Hawks team do not partake in the provincials, but they finished their season with a seven-win and five-loss record.
The highlights from the weekend competition were from the U15 ProActive Rehab Hawks and the U17 Hawks.
U17 Hawks
The U17 Hawks (pictured above) competed in the provincials in the D Division after a difficult season without a consistent goaltender. Huntsville played well despite the different format used due to fewer teams in their division.
The Hawks were able to defeat their first two opponents, Kitchener Waterloo and Mimico 2 which gave them a jump straight into the semi-finals. They were again able to beat Mimico 2 to secure a spot in the championship game.
The finals had the Huntsville Hawks challenge Kingston. Sadly, the Hawks lost 10-7 but earned a much-deserved silver. “I was extremely proud of our players effort level, preparedness and dedication to their team and to each other. They represented Huntsville, Muskoka and our Hawks association very well,” said Coach Cory Veitch. “Many thanks also to our coaching staff, Manger Lesley Reynolds, Coach Ross Clark and Trainer Taylor Fawcett.”
U15 Proactive Rehab Hawks
The U15 Hawks came in to the weekend ranked seventh in the C Division. “We knew that we were going to be in tough every game,” said Coach Jason Rudge. Although the Hawks started off slow, losing their first game against Brampton, they went on to beat both Centre Wellington 1 and Centre Wellington 2 in game two and three of the weekend to advance to the semi-finals.
The semi-final game had Huntsville play against Northumberland. “With a small bench and warm temperatures, our team played their best game of the weekend to upset the top team to move us into final against Brampton, who beat us in the first game of the tournament,” said Rudge.
Moving into the final championship game with four tough games under their belts, the Hawks did not have enough battle left and were outplayed with the score in favour of Brampton at 8-4, but the Hawks received their silver medals proudly. “To come into the weekend ranked seventh and to finish as a silver medalist isn’t a bad couple days on the field,” said Rudge. “The team came together all weekend and played very strong lacrosse and most of all turned many heads to see what level of calibre lacrosse we have coming out of our small northern town.”
The U15 Proactive Rehab Hawks proudly show off their silver medals at the provincial championships (front from left) Will Tempest, Carson Robins, Kean Pare, Carter Boone, Zachary Aubin-Vardy, Danny Clarke, Jack Campbell, Glen Thur; (back from left) Trainer Ken Robins, Assistant Coach Duke Knox, Preston Standing, Blake Punchard, Riley Knox, Kyle Hanrahan, Tyler MacKinnon, Zander Slater, Aiden McCarthy, Manager Dr Jocelyn Knox, and Head Coach Jason Rudge. (Supplied photo)
U11 Embertech Industrial Hawks and U13 Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell Hawks
The U11 Embertech Industrial Hawks and U13 Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell Hawks also competed in the provincials in the B and C Divisions. The U11 Hawks made it in to the semi-finals after beating Whitby 2 and Niagara on the Lake and with only one loss to London.
The U13 Hawks won their first game against Newmarket but then lost their next two games between Whitby 2 and the Toronto Stars.
Both the U11 and U13 Hawks were tied for the semi-final game spot in their respective divisions but only the U11s had enough wins to advance.
In the semi-finals, the U11 Hawks played Halton 1 but, unfortunately, lost 10-5 to end their provincial weekend with a two-win and two-loss record.
Overall, the Hawks teams should be very proud of being competitive in a sport that many teams from larger centres are able to practice year round. Huntsville was able to host two weekends of games at Conroy Park this spring. Good luck to the many Hawks players who are now active in box lacrosse.
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