2016 St. Regis Braves UPDATE

Submitted by Chuck Brown, 2016 GM/Coach

She:kon Akwesasne

(July 4, 2016) On Friday, July 1, your St. Regis Braves (6-0) traveled to Kahnawake for a lacrosse match against the revamped Kahnawake Mohawks (5-3) in a steamy contest that produced a totally one-sided affair. The Mohawks came out firing on all cylinders as they put on a powerful display of ball movement and disciplined lacrosse in crushing the undermanned Braves by a score of 17-2. The Braves’ two goals were scored by Seth Oakes and Jarett Jacobs. Both goals were assisted by Justin Oakes as he continues to lead the Braves in points as we start July. The fast breaking Mohawks took good advantage of the tiring Braves as the game wore on. The first period was highlighted by a spirited brawl between Johnny Jacobs and Chuck McComber, as Jacobs took exception to the liberties that McComber was taking with his wooden stick and settled it in his own manner. Both players were ejected. The Mohawks never let up throughout the game and never did your Braves. The Braves gave everything they had that night by playing through injuries, travel delays, as both goalies were given all that they could handle. By the end I was proud of how the Braves players had to dig down deep to battle and overcome all the physical and psychological demons that one can encounter in a one-sided battle. They never pointed fingers, or blamed, and never gave up on each other throughout the contest. They actually ended with the conciliatory contentment that they had given all they had on that night. That’s all I could ever ask for and expect.

So our first loss of the season came in a big way but with adversity comes opportunity to learn and improve. Our goal is not to go undefeated but to grow and get better with each contest as we aim for the right to represent Akwesasne at the Presidents Cup in September.

Sunday July 3, 2016 Deseronto, Ontario

With one day to rebound from our worst game this season, your St. Regis Braves marched into Tyendinaga for the third game this season against the talent infused Thunderbirds. The new direction of the franchise has the people of Tyendinaga excited about the future of senior lacrosse in their hometown. With the recent acquisition of the QSL Top scorer Tim Bergin and NLL’ers Kedoh Hill (Bflo.), Joe Hall, Ben Green, and head Coach Ken “Monster” Montour their future was on display. The game turned out to be an exciting one from start to finish as once again the Braves were undermanned with only 13 runners. This night however would turn out to be a picture of lessons learned, as the Braves players remained calm and worked together in a total team manner winning 12-9. The Braves led the game from start to finish with the Thunderbirds getting to within 2 near the end of the second. The solid play of Isaac Sharrow and the defensive unit for two periods helped allow the boys to relax and take care of business at the other end of the floor. In his first game in a Brave’s uniform this year Troy Lyons would be a key factor in the game’s outcome. Troy finished with three goals and four assists on the night and all three were timely. Other worthy performances came from Derek Hopps with two goals and four assists, and Ky Tarbell recording one goal and six helpers on the night. Zach Hopps scored two beauties and Justin Oakes, Jarett Jacobs, Chris George, and Danny Lazore each added singles.

The Braves led by two at the start of the third and it appeared it was anybody’s game. Torrey Bigtree took control of the pipes and with a stellar performance from Brandon Francis, Dwight Bero, Thunder Jock, Jim Burns, and the versatile Chris George the back door proved to be too much on this night. As the band of 13 would continue to pull together and earn a resilient win to go 7-1 on the season. A special thanks goes out to the Braves trainer Jay Leaf, and the Braves Bonnie Square for supplying the strawberry drink and nourishment for the guys between the second and third periods. Good Medicine.

NEXT up

Now the stage is set for 2015 Presidents Cup finalist, the QSL league leading Ottawa Axemen (11-0) to visit the Massena Arena next Friday for an 8pm game. Because our Three Nation Sr. Lacrosse League will send its own representative to the Canadian Sr. B Championship, this game is not expected to be the defining test for the Braves, but one that will definitely measure where we need to get to if we hope to capture a third Cup. Our aim is to produce an exciting brand of lacrosse for our elders and be counted on to deliver a high level of competitiveness for seasons to come.

We hope to see everyone there. See you at the arena.

Support your only local men’s lacrosse team.

Niawen