Mohawks edge A’s in opener
The St. Catharines WMKL Junior B Athletics came out flat for one of the few times this season and it cost them a win Saturday night at Canada Games Park.
The A’s dropped a 9-5 decision to the Elora Mohawks in the opener of their Ontario Lacrosse Association best-of-five Western Conference final series.
The loss was only the second defeat of the season for the A’s who came into the game with six straight wins in the post-season after an 18-1-1 regular campaign.
“It’s about being prepared and coming out with energy and we came out flat. They were ready to come out right off the hop and we were on our heels,” A’s coach Alec Tamas said. “They’re too good of a team to spot a two, three, four, five goal difference against. It’s hard to get out of a hole against a team this good so next game we’re going to have to come out a little more prepared and come with some more energy and try and build a lead early and roll from there.”
The Mohawks led 2-0 after one period and 5-4 after two.
“When it’s two really talented teams what it comes down to is the little things,” Tamas said. “I thought tonight the loose ball effort wasn’t great — they beat us in the loose ball battle — and that kind of accumulated over the game and snowballed and that was kind of the difference.
“Little things like getting on and off the floor hard and pushing transition and picking up loose balls. We weren’t good doing the little things tonight and that ended up being the difference.”
The A’s tied the game early in the third on a goal by Jaden Patterson but then gave up four unanswered goals in just over four minutes, including one while killing off a penalty.
The A’s still had time to rally, but were unable to respond.
“They went on a little bit of a run, we just got totally flat, no energy,” Tamas said. “We were giving up easy goals like rebounds off the boards. We weren’t boxing out and not winning the loose balls. This late in the season we just can’t be giving teams free goals. We have to bear down and make it a lot more difficult on them.”
Tamas has no doubt the Athletics will be able to turn the page.
“I’m super confident in the character and leadership on this team,” he said. “We have the ability to dig ourselves out of these holes. We’ve done it time and time again. I know we haven’t dealt with a ton of adversity this year but we’ve spotted some teams some leads and had to dig ourselves out of some holes. Going back to last year, we know how to deal with adversity, we know how to come from behind.
“I’m fully confident we’ll respond and have a bounce back in Game 2 and we’ll get things going from there.”
Jesse Morrison made 51 saves in net for the win.
Mike Napoli turned back 52 shots in a losing effort.
A’s acorns: The Junior A Athletics will meet Orangeville in a best-of-five Ontario Junior Lacrosse League semifinal. Game 1 is Sunday at Orangeville, 7 p.m. with Game 2 Wednesday, July 24 at St. Catharines, 8 p.m. Game 3 is Saturday, July 27 at Orangeville, 7 p.m. Game 4, if necessary, Monday, July 29 at St. Catharines, 8 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, Tuesday, July 30 at Orangeville, 8 p.m.
STATS PACK
Mohawks 9 A’s 5
WMKL Player of the Game: Elora’s Nate Renaud with four points.
St. Catharines Athletics: Trent Mooradian 2; Carter Accursi, Jack Parker, Jaden Patterson.
Elora Mohawks: Renaud 2; Tobias Wilson 2; J.J. Lavigne, Cole Hunsberger, Brinley Wilson, Connor Willmets, Kale Couvillon.
Up next: Game 2 Monday in Elora, 8 p.m. Game 3 Tuesday in St. Catharines, 8 p.m.
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