Mike Temple knows lacrosse. He grew up in Peterborough, one of the leading lacrosse hot beds in Canada, and was coached by leading lacrosse figures like Tracey Kelusky and John Grant Jr. He cut his teeth in the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association, won a Mann Cup with the Peterborough Lakers and has played with the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks.
But right now? His lacrosse world revolves around the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association and its championship: the Baggataway Cup.
Temple has been here before. He was a member of the University of Western Ontario 2001 championship team. “Western was loaded with veteran leadership. Guys like Ryan Sedgwick, Jake Mackle, Jeff Campbell, etc. These guys really led by example and kept a ‘calm’ amongst the guys. We had amazing goaltending, and a team that just bought into the system.”
Temple is now earning his honors in Business Administration at Trent University and is bringing veteran leadership to a squad that is playing in CUFLA wildcard play-in this weekend. Trent finished the regular season in third in the Central Division, and has earned the chance to compete in the playoffs as long as they can beat Guelph this weekend.
“It’s a great feeling. We were pegged to finish 8th or 9th, and I think that we’ve shocked some people around the league. We aren’t terribly surprised though… we know we have a team that can compete every night.”
Since Temple first won that Baggatway Cup with Western six years ago, the Canadian field lacrosse scene has changed significantly. The Ontario University Field Lacrosse Association has expanded to include Quebec, and changed its name accordingly. In a country dominated by indoor lacrosse, the outdoor game has become more popular as evidenced by Laurentian University and Trent University joining CUFLA, as well as the creation of the Maritime University Field Lacrosse League.
Although the experience is different then his time at Western, Temple loves his new team. “It’s nice to know that we are part of something big here at Trent; (Head Coach) Jesse Thomas has done a lot of work behind the scenes to get this team on the field and its great that thus far we have been able to put some wins together and show the league that we are for real. It only makes sense that Trent has a team as Peterborough is known all over as a ‘hot bed’ for lacrosse talent.”
With the regular season done, Temple and Trent University have only one goal remaining: “Win the Baggataway.”
Wild Card Games:
Trent @ Guelph - 1 PM, Saturday October 27th
Carleton @ McMaster - 1 PM, Sunday, October 28th
Western @ Bishop’s - TBD
Originally posted at InsideLacrosse.com
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