CUFLA hopefuls Nipissing and Ottawa meet in exhibition game

by Dave Dale, courtesy of the North Bay Nugget

The speed, physicality and strategy that makes field lacrosse exciting was on display at the Steve Omischl Sports Field Complex, Saturday.

The Nipissing Lakers rallied from a six goal deficit to edge the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 13-12 in exhibition play.
Both teams are in development mode hoping to play in the 13-team Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association league next year.

“We played extremely well and just dominated the second half,” said coach Jon Moore, a faculty of education teaching graduate of Nipissing University.

Contributing more than half the offence was Curtis Perry (91), with seven goals and an assist. Perry recently earned a tryout with Vancouver in the National Lacrosse League following a combine for top prospects.
It was 3-3 after the first quarter, but the Gee-Gees galloped into half time up 10-4 before the Lakers found their game and making it 12-11 for Ottawa entering the fourth.

Daniel Miziolek scored the game winner with just two minutes remaining. Other Lakers' goals came from Cole Greenaway, two and six assists, with singles from Matt McGuckin,
Zach Lacasse, and Broedie Birkhof and helpers from Andrew Dominey and Brad Burns.

Moore said they'll be playing Ottawa again on their home field in the near future, while also offering a clinic for local youth Oct. 20, followed by a “marathon” game for those interested in playing with team members.

“To me, it's not just about building a program at Nipissing University, I want to help build the sport in the community,” said Moore, who hails from St. Catharines where the sport is more entrenched.

Laker player Matt McGuckin and Moore coached a peewee team in the North Bay Elements Lacrosse league this summer and while they hoped to field a rep team, there wasn't enough local interest to travel for competitive tournaments.

He said many of the Lakers come from communities like Peterborough where lacrosse is “the sport” and Moore said there's potential for it in North Bay.

There were only 12 players at Nip U interested last year, but they doubled their numbers by finding a few more players who grew up with the sport — plus a couple who always wanted to try their hand at it.

Kyle Woronecki (99), for example, had never played before until two weeks ago, Moore said.
“But he's a big boy and he can run and hit,” he said, putting the invitation out for anybody who is athletic, with some hand-eye coordination, might enjoy checking out their clinic next month.

“It's all about growing the game within the city.”