With a fourth place regular-season finish, the Huntsville Junior C Hawks lacrosse team achieved their goal of a playoff berth.<\/p>\n
They met Whitby, a talented team throughout the season, for the first round in a best of three series. Prior to the first game, Coach Karl Carnduff said, “For us to move on, we will have to rely on hard work and be able to out hustle Whitby as they are a skilled and fast team. Our defense and goaltending will have to turn it up a notch to give us any chance of moving on to round two. Offensively we will need to move the ball quickly in order to make their defense try and keep up with us.”<\/p>\n
The playoffs began on Wednesday, July 4 in Whitby. The Hawks were looking forward to the challenge and would fight hard for a winning success. Unfortunately, Whitby displayed their fine talent and took the first win of the series leading 1-0.<\/p>\n
Huntsville did not let their guard down and prepared to meet Whitby for game two on home turf on Friday, July 6. The arena was filled with cheering fans to support the Hawks knowing that this was the game to win to stay in the series. Whitby took an early heavy lead but the Hawks never quit.<\/p>\n
“With what we lacked in talent we did make up for in heart. We didn’t give up without a fight, and with that I am proud of each and every one of them,\u201d said Carnduff.<\/p>\n
Even though the Hawks lost the series 2-0, they feel a sense of accomplishment at proving their naysayers wrong and making the playoffs as a team. “On behalf of our team, I would like to personally thank all our fans and sponsors for coming on board with us this year,” said Carnduff, “because without them, there would be no Junior C lacrosse in town.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Junior C Hawks will be losing six players who are aging out, which will open up spots on the team for the 2019 season for graduating midgets as well as any other players available from as far away as Sudbury, North Bay or even Sault Ste. Marie.<\/p>\n\n\t\t