Trent welcoming a flurry of contending squads hoping to score big on championship weekend
Peterborough, Ont. – When talking about OUA lacrosse, it’s no surprise that the Western Mustangs are at the heart of the conversation, as they consistently boast championship-caliber squads. The purple and white are frequently in contention for the provincial crown, having claimed the banner seven times in the program’s history, and coming in as reigning champs, this year is no different.
2018 Lacrosse Championship Fan Guide
Unsurprisingly, the heart of the Western team is Katy De Snoo (Oshawa, Ont.), the 2017 OUA Offensive Player of the Year. The two-time all-star has once again led her Mustangs to a strong season, losing just four games en route to the West’s No. 2 seed on championship weekend. Once again backstopping the ‘Stangs is Claire Palmer (Aurora, Ont.), and she’ll do so with an all-star resume backing her up.
It won’t be an easy path for Western; however, as they will start their banner season with a first-round game against Toronto, against whom they lost 9-8 just a few days ago. The nine goals are fairly standard for the East’s No. 3 seed, as they rank as the fourth-highest scoring squad in the province. The 2017 bronze medalists can score with the best of them, and Brynne Yarranton (Toronto, Ont.) has fit right in with the high-octane group. Taking part in her first banner season experience, the former Boston University and University of Vermont athlete will look to translate her 46-goal regular season into this weekend’s finale.
Also contributing to the Varsity Blues’ fruitful campaign, which saw them end with wins in five of their final six games, was Heather McDougall (Toronto, Ont.). The second-year attack/midfielder has hit her stride and became increasingly dominant as the season progressed. She capped off her campaign with 29 goals, but more importantly, picked up a huge 18 points in the final three contests to come into championship contention on the highest of notes.
Defeated by Western a year ago, the East’s top-seeded Gaels have gold on their minds, along with a feeling of redemption, in this year’s edition. And while it has been nearly two decades since the Tricolour last secured a lacrosse title, this year’s team feels that they can be the ones to snap that streak, with two Queen’s mainstays orchestrating that level of talent and drive.
Rachel Mochulla (Orillia, Ont.) and Amelia Piccone (Westmont, NJ) have been outstanding as captains this year, going above and beyond to push the team during practice, workouts, and on the field. According to their head coach, Michael Watson, their jobs were much easier as a result of the two incredibly strong leaders, and the extra work the duo has put in to improve their own game, as well as the team’s, should pay off come championship time.
Just missing out on the podium a year ago, meanwhile, Laurier has more than a top three finish in their sights this year. Coming off their best regular season since 2012, the Hawks are flying high as definite threat in this year’s finale, entering as the West’s top team. For Laurier to continue their regular season success, they’ll once again turn to Rose Williams (Elora, Ont.), who has been the team’s most dangerous player this year. She led the team in scoring with 49 goals and 22 assists, while also causing five turnover, earning seven draw wins, and 12 ground ball wins. The two-time Laurier athlete of the week is entering her third championship and will be relied upon to spark what Laurier hopes will be their first title since 2010.
While Williams is a leader up front, fellow third-year Alanna MacDonald (Waterloo, Ont.) buoys the back end. The talented goaltender has been the backbone of Laurier’s defence, as evidenced by her two shutouts on the year. Despite being sidelined due to injury for part of the season, her 28 saves in nine games have showcased her immense talent and she’ll need to stand tall once again this weekend with a tough slate of competition ahead.
The Guelph Gryphons, ranked third in the West, enter championship weekend as a better team than a season ago. After collecting just three regular season wins last year, the team was able to earn four in their final 10 games to close out their much stronger 2018 campaign.
With a solid playoff performance under their belts from a year ago, the Gryphons will look to keep climbing the ladder; a quest that will be largely anchored by Erin Murray (Oakville, Ont.). The team’s most dynamic offensive threat boasts a very hard shot that has steered her well this season. Not only does her play do the talking, but Murray is also an inspirational figure for the team as she challenges them to raise their level as well. Her efforts were on full display just a week ago when Guelph defeated both McMaster and Brock, and the Gryphs’ will hope for a similar performance to guide them past their first-round clash with Trent on Friday.
It won’t be easy for Guelph to go up against the host Excalibur; however, as Trent has seen great success on the field as of late. The East’s No. 2 seed has not lost since September 15, and at the heart of the team’s string of victories is the offensive prowess of Leah Michel (Clarington, Ont.). Michel has had a standout season, leading the team with 48 goals and 12 assists in 13 games. The 2016 Rookie of the Year and two-time all-star boasts incredible awareness on the field and can find the back of the net with great ease.
Joining one of the most exciting players to watch in the OUA is Victoria Clark (Peterborough, Ont.). The first-year midfielder has more than held her own on the field with 18 goals and eight assists. Her speed in the midfield and tough defence is hard to beat and her impact will be key to Trent’s outcome this weekend.
After finishing in eighth place a season ago, the West’s fourth-seeded McMaster Marauders will have their eyes on an improved result this time around, and with a largely returning roster, they may be able to do just that.
Among those who are returning from what was a very young squad a season ago is Sabrina Schindel (Toronto, Ont.), who will strive to backstop her school to victory this weekend. A second-team all-star in 2017, Schindel has been a constant source of strength for the Marauders in 2018, picking up the school’s athlete of the week honours after making over 20 saves in a pair of wins over Guelph and Brock in September. In front of the talented goaltender is Sophie Skillen (Mono, Ont.), a second-year attacker who checks in as McMaster’s leading scorer on the year and the team’s top threat at the tournament.
Finishing just below the Marauders in 2017, the UOIT Ridgebacks will also be eyeing a higher rank this time around, entering the weekend as the East’s No. 4 seed. One of the key cogs in the team’s offensive efforts is first-year standout Brooke Watson (Coutice, Ont.). In every game that the Ridgebacks scored, Watson recorded a goal, proving that she is an integral part of the team’s productivity.
Helping to guide Watson and the rest of the young Ridgebacks will be veteran Brianna Nicolas (Ajax, Ont.). The third-year player has showcased her skill on both the offensive and defensive ends as a high-motor midfielder, and despite her small stature, has shown immense amounts of heart for UOIT. This type of attitude has gone a long way for the young squad, as the team boasts plenty of camaraderie, not to mention some impressive talent.
Taking on the Ridgebacks in the opening round is the West Division’s No. 5 seed, the Brock Badgers, and they’ll be led by Gillian Webster (Millbrook, Ont.) on the back end. The defensive stalwart is a leader when it comes to turnovers and is a force to be reckoned with defensively. She’ll be relying on teammates like Lindsey Highfield (Georgetown, Ont.) to be a similar force on the offensive side. Highfield is a dynamic, hard-working three-year starter that is a valuable piece of the Badgers production. All in all, with 10 freshman and transfer students, the team is working hard after two large graduating classes in a row, and there is excitement, anticipation, and improvement in the air for the St. Catharines squad.
Brock’s fifth-seeded counterpart in the East, meanwhile, is the York Lions, who round out the 10-team field in this year’s competition.
Games get underway at the Justin Chiu Stadium in Peterborough on Friday, October 19 at 11:00am, with teams then advancing to another full schedule on Saturday before the semifinals and finals take place starting on Sunday morning.
