The U16 North Island Rage, sponsored by Saratoga Ventures, met the Nanaimo Raiders in the Island field lacrosse final on Saturday.
The two teams have enjoyed a close rivalry all season and were looking forward to an epic match to determine the Island champions.
North Island started out strong, maintaining possession of the ball and took a 1-0 on a Tanner Jones goal, assisted by Brady Garrett.
Alec Molander then fought off four defenders to break through and make it 2-0. Molander scored two more and Garrett added one to make the score 5-1 at the end of the first quarter.
The Rage knew that Nanaimo could take over the game at any time and continued their dominant play, with big sticks Roy Uzzell, Colton Edwards, Nathan Hoff and Alex Kussauer shutting down Nanaimo’s offense before they could get close to goaltender Sal Burchill.
Molander went end-to-end early in the second quarter to score in a jaw-dropping display of athleticism. Speedy Anthony Vigneron added the Rage’s seventh goal and Graham Evans scored the game’s prettiest goal in a leaping, spinning maneuver to end the half 8-1.
It was becoming apparent that Nanaimo was no match for the focused, driven group they were facing. Jory Clermont, Lucas Marriot Spencer and Griffin Whyley each added goals for the Rage to make it 12-1.
Midfielders Sam Kussauer and Bailey Robinson moved the ball quickly up the field and shut down Nanaimo’s midfield to nullify their ball possession. Jones and Whyley each added one more goal and Evans completed his hat trick for a 15-2 victory.
Coaches Doug Robinson and Joe Whyley were extremely impressed with the discipline and team effort displayed in the resounding victory. The team will be participating in the provincial championships in Burnaby the Feb. 23-24.
