The Sunshine Coast Rapids continue to make a name for themselves in Lower Mainland lacrosse.
All of the association's teams are having tremendous seasons and continue to put in strong efforts both home and away.On Saturday, the peewee Rapids entertained the Coquitlam Adanacs at the Sunshine Coast Arena.
The Rapids came out strong, building a 3-1 lead after the first period, winning the contest 4-1.
The Rapids opened the scoring on a shot from Forrest Paton with the assist to Erik Keyser. Erik and Forrest dominated the scoring with two goals and two assists each.
Walker Ratcliffe, Gunnar Wiebe and Jesse Miles were superb picking up the ball in the mid-floor and feeding up to the forwards for lots of scoring chan-ces. Christopher Wrinch, Sterling Ratcliffeand Cole Chambers played well defensively, not letting many chances get by. Goalie Jane Goddard didn't see too many shots due to the great work by the runners.
The novice squad brought home another win, blasting the Port Coquitlam Saints 11-4 on the road last Sunday.Poco jumped ahead just two minutes into the contest, and that was answered by Liam Singleton to tie the game 1-1.The Saints made it 2-1 a few minutes later, and Carlos Ibanez scored a pair to put the Rapids up 3-2 after the first period.
The Rapids continued to mount an impressive attack in the second, getting goals from Erik Sawchuk, Brandon Reeves, Liam and Tyler Graham. The Saints managed to get only one by goalie Ryan Christoff, and the Rapids led 7-3.Poco started strong in the final stanza, applying lots of pressure, but Ryan held the fort, allowing only one goal, while the Rapids fired home four more to win convincingly.
Brandon and Liam both scored a pair in the third.
Construction Ag-gregates sponsored bantam Rapids played a pair of games last weekend.
On Saturday, the Rapids entertained the Vancouver Burrards in one of the toughest games for the team so far this season.
The Burrards defence held off the Rapids for eight full minutes before captain Mike Allan stuffed one in. The rest of the first period featured fast-paced, end-to-end action with neither team able to score. In the final seconds, the Rapids again showed their superior passing skills and scored another to end the first up 2-0.
The Rapids returned to the floor for the second looking motivated and scored a quick one 30 seconds in. Four more this period, plus another five in the third were more than enough to counter the two goals scored by the Burrards in the third in a 12-2 final.
Also scoring for the Rapids were Dustin Rob-inson, Brian Green, Patrick Ellison, Ryley Dempster and Jeremy Dempster, all with two goals apiece. Marc Desaulniers also added a single.
On Sunday, the bantams travelled to Delta to meet up with the Islanders.
The Rapids were in fine form right from the start, scoring six goals in the first period. Another goal in the second plus four more in the third gave the Rapids an 11-0 win. This win brought the Con Ag team's winning streak to five and earned goaltender Luke Flumerfelt his second shutout of the season. As well, he also added two assists.
Jeremy scored two, with singles to Dustin, Liam Gibb, Colton Davies, Mike, Jared Hlagi, Odin Maisonett, Ryley, Marc and Thompson Shelborn.
Next weekend is an away weekend for all of the Sunshine Coast teams.
Home games are slated for June 24 and June 25 at the arena.
Sat--urday, June 24, is a big day for lacrosse on the Coast. Besides the Rapids in action, fans will be treated to a Junior B exhibition game between New Westminster Salmonbellies and Port Coquitlam Saints. Game time is 4:30 p.m.The game is being held to help promote the game on the Coast and as a league fundraiser. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Tickets are available at Trail Bay Source for Sports in Sechelt and Gibsons Building Supplies in Gibsons and will also be available at the door. This event sold out last year, so you best get your tickets early. For more information, see www.sclacrosse.ca.
