The Mission Cedar Kings opened the WCSCLL with a 7-6 win on Saturday over Ladner. (Sarah Graham photo)

The Mission Cedar Kings opened the WCSCLL with a 7-6 win on Saturday over Ladner. (Sarah Graham photo)

Mission Cedar Kings open season with win

Lacrosse team kicks off WCSCLL campaign with victory over Ladner

The Mission Cedar Kings opened the West Central Senior C Lacrosse League with a dramatic comeback win on Saturday.

The club opened the season against the Ladner Pioneers in Port Coquitlam, and earned a 7-6 win.

Ladner hopped out to a 2-0 lead early, but Mission knotted the game at two after the first period.

The Pioneers took over in the second period, taking a 4-2 lead into the third period and then were up 6-2 early into the final frame.

Mission turned it on from there, tallying five consecutive goals, including the winning goal with just 6.2 seconds remaining.

The Cedar Kings were led by newcomer Wylan Malowany, who scored a team-high three goals and added one assist.

It was the first-ever appearance in senior lacrosse for Malowany, who prior to Saturday hadn’t set foot on the lacrosse court in over seven years.

Mission also got goals from Tony Corbin, Gavan Sand, Russ Heard and Benton Graham.

Mission’s Jim Nishiyama collected three assists, equaling the three helpers also recorded by Corbin and Sand. Heard also contributed with a pair of assists.

Cedar Kings goalie Jeff Lissimore was strong between the pipes, making 35 saves in the win.

Mission next takes on the Burnaby Lakers on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in Port Coquitlam.

The Lakers opened the season with an 8-3 loss to the North Shore Indians.

Following the game against Burnaby, the Cedar Kings take one week off for Easter break and then return to the floor to take on the Queensborough River Rats.

That game occurs on April 27 at 7 p.m. in Port Coquitlam.

For more on the team and the league, visit wcsll.teamopolis.com.

Mission City Record