Redcoats roar past Wolfpack
Lochan Belliveau is the Governor Simcoe Redcoats’ Secretary of Defence.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student takes pride in his defensive game and always has.
“I’ve always been more of D guy because I was bigger and stronger growing up,” Belliveau said. “Now it’s starting to catch up. In junior B, everyone is taller and my height.
“I’ve definitely always leaned toward the physicality side of it.”
Belliveau, who also plays for the St. Catharines WMKL Athletics junior B squad, doesn’t need to score to feel like he has contributed.
“It seems to always come down to the last defensive play, I guess. Everyone loves the big stops,” he said. “I enjoy it more.”
Belliveau feels the field game presents more of a challenge from a defensive aspect.
“I think this is a little harder because it’s a more open field, more running. In box, it’s less running and more containment.”
Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy appreciates Belliveau’s contributions.
“It’s huge,” Brophy said. “He’s got so much confidence. We had a great leader last year in Jacob Rawson and Lochlan has taken the mantel for that. He settles everything down with the goaltender and it just makes you feel so much more confident that they know what their roles are.”
Brophy said when players such as Belliveau accept their role, things fall into place much easier.
“Everybody has their role. With lacrosse splitting up with your defence and middy’s and offence, everyone has that role and you just need a buy in from all three groups that they’re not trying to do too much,” he said.
Belliveau managed a rare goal Thursday as the Redcoats topped the West Niagara Wolfpack 17-2 in a Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association game at Sir Winston Churchill to improve to 3-1 on the season.
“We’re suffering with some injuries and illness right now but we’re hoping to do really well again this year when we have everybody back,” Brophy said.
The Redcoats are the defending Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AA/A champions and would love nothing more than to make it two provincials titles in a row.
“It’s super exciting. We have a great group but a lot of work to be done still,” Belliveau said.
Brophy said the Redcoats tradition of excellence in field lacrosse helps make his job easier.
“Tons of kids wanting to try out, for sure,” he said. “They’re super encouraged. The school is really behind the team, as they are with every team at Simcoe, but they’re really excited about how we’re going to do. The kids buy in. They’re there for practice, they’re ready for games. We just need to get healthy.”
Cody MacNeil paced the winners with four goals whole Sutter Pilon, Kaleb Taylor and Gavan Rubel added two each. Singles came off the sticks of Reif Steenhuis, Luke Balanoski, Noah Budgell, Brandon Judd, Max D’Alosio and Sasha Boucher.
Kason Edwards and Declan Arnold replied for the Wolfpack.
Simcoe also defeated the Greater Fort Erie Secondary School Gryphons 9-7 Thursday. In other games, E.L. Crossley defeated West Niagara 9-5 while the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs topped Myer 14-1 and GFSS 9-4.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 5,900 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
