Two Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association teams came together to honour a 9/11 hero in their season opener Saturday.
Leland de Langley had a hat trick and an assist as McGill defeated the Varsity Blues 16-9 in Toronto, but both teams gathered after the game in a show of solidarity and support for those who lost their lives on Sept. 11th, 2001.
Inspired by an Inside Lacrosse and ESPN feature on Welles Crowther, a Boston College grad who played lacrosse for the NCAA Division I school, both teams wore red bandanas with their uniforms.
Crowther had carried a red bandana with him since childhood and used it to protect his mouth and nose as he saved 12 people in the south tower of the World Trade Center. Crowther’s body was found alongside New York City firefighters after the tower collapsed.
U of T had decided to wear the red handkerchiefs after watching and discussing the online video the week before the game. As they prepared for Saturday’s game with McGill, Varsity Blues’ midfielder Trevor Persi decided to buy bandanas for the Redmen to wear as well.
On his way to the game, Persi bought out the stock of two different stores to give to his opponents.
After the game, the two teams took a group photograph to show their support for all those who lost a loved one in the terrorist attacks, and especially show their gratitude to first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others.
The players and coaching staff of the University of Toronto have agreed to wear a red bandana in the first home game of every season from now on as a tribute to Crowther.
Elsewhere in CUFLA it was: McGill 11, Trent University 10; Brock University 11, Laurentian University 4; Brock 13, Laurentian 8; Carleton University 9, Queen’s University 6 and Bishop’s University 16, Queen’s 8.
At Toronto, Ryan Besse scored twice and added an assist for McGill (2-0) in the first game of its weekend road trip.
Tyler Weber and reigning rookie of the year Michael Buwalda both had a hat trick and an assist for U of T (0-1), while Dan Fleming had a goal and three assists.
McGill 11 Trent 10
At Peterborough, Ont., Ross Burst led all scorers with three goals and five assists as McGill edged the Excalibur.
Alex Rohrbach and De Langley both had a hat trick and an assist in the Redmen’s second win of the season.
Josh Gilray had four goals for Trent (0-1), while Niall Caravello had six assists.
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Brock 11 Laurentian 4, Brock 13 Laurentian 8 (Saturday/Sunday doubleheader)
At Sudbury, Ont., Jordan Weedmark had a total of seven goals and five assists in the Badgers’ twin victories over the Voyageurs. Weedmark now leads CUFLA in points and goals.
Craig England had a goal and four assists over the weekend for Brock (2-0).
Clint Lamarsh had a breakout weekend for Laurentian (0-2), putting away seven goals and four assists. Lamarsh is second in league scoring.
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Carleton 9 Queen’s 6
At Ottawa, Curtis Singleton had a hat trick to lift the Ravens over the Gaels.
Raj Wasson had two goals and an assist for Carleton (1-0), while Shane Davidson scored and added two assists.
Joshua Smith led Queen’s (0-2) with two goals and an assist.
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Bishop’s 16 Queen’s 8
At Kingston, Ont., Josh Crone had five goals and three assists as the Gaiters routed the Gaels.
Mike Dube scored five goals for Bishop’s (1-0), while Jesse Gattellaro scored three times and had two assists. Dube led CUFLA in scoring last season and was named the league’s MVP.
Jesse Noll led Queen’s with two goals and an assist and Matt Eriksen scored twice.
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