St. Andrew’s Saints’ varsity lacrosse 2015 campaign underway

April 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

With the spring varsity athletic season kicking off, the St. Andrew’s College lacrosse program is looking to continue its proud and successful history.

The varsity team travelled to Westerville, Ohio earlier this month to open the 2015 season against three tough American teams, gaining NCAA exposure along the way.

A challenge was posed to the Saints in their first match of the year, facing Ohio-based Hilliard Davidson, with memories of a 13 – 3 loss at the hands of the team last year still fresh in their minds.

But the Saints exploded for offence early in the game, eventually potting 13 of their own to Davidson’s 6. John Buchan led the way with four goals and an assist.

“We were able to control the tempo of the game as our athleticism and ball control were evident early on,” said Greg Reid, head coach of the varsity team.

Rookie Cameron MacDonald also earned a hat trick in his first game with the varsity squad.

Later that day, the team visited nearby Wesleyan University where they toured the campus and enjoyed a pre-game meal in preparation for a game with St. Francis DeSales, who placed second in the State in 2014.

Despite the 14 – 8 loss, goalie Drake Porter played a phenomenal game as Reid says he “put the team on his back”. The Saints were able to get within one in the third quarter, but ran out of steam in the fourth.

Buchan once again led the way with five points.

They ended their southern swing against the Pickerington North High School Panthers, unfortunately just too gassed from two hard-fought matches the day before. A 5 – 5 tie at half wasn’t enough to balance out the second-half defensive shutdown in a 14 – 9 losing effort.

But spirits were high entering their first CISAA-sanctioned game last Thursday, after downing Aurora High School in their annual cross-town exhibition matchup 15 – 3 one week earlier.

Unfortunately the Saints were on the wrong side of an 11 – 4 score, losing to St. Michael’s College – a perennial powerhouse in the CISAA division.
The varsity squad will be looking to rebound at their home tournament later this week against regional competition.

St. Andrew’s began a competitive lacrosse program in 1989, led by current U14 lacrosse coach Fraser Cowell.

The program won its first CISAA championship in the 2005-06 season, the first of four successive championships. The varsity team has also had success at numerous tournaments over the past few years, including the annual SAC tournament.