U15 Mustangs See Early Lead Evaporate
“Our girls are the meanest (most aggressive),” Ray Leroux head coach of the U15 Moose Jaw Mustangs lacrosse team said.
Leroux was commenting on the team’s makeup and this season’s fortunes after they dropped a 5 - 3 decision to the visiting Weyburn Young Fellows Thrashers in South Saskatchewan Lacrosse League action on Monday evening.
For Moose Jaw it was their third straight loss to start the season. All losses were to strong Weyburn teams.
Mustangs’ Landon Leroux (right) pursues the Thrashers’ Lincoln Lasko - MJ Independent photo
Moose Jaw had a very strong first period going up 3 - 0 versus the Thrashers after 20 minutes.
“It was a fun game. It was a close one but (we played hard) right to the end. I’m really happy how the team played and no it was a lot of fun playing against Weyburn,” Leroux said.
He said the Mustangs’ performance against a strong Weyburn team was a great barometer as to where the team sits.
“We came out really strong against them and we held up really good against Weyburn right to the end,” he said.
The big three goal jump by the Mustangs earned the Thrashers a stern wake-up talk from Weyburn’s head coach Randy Labrecque.
A talk, that unfortunately for the Mustangs, the Thrashers responded to.
A rebound is corralled in the Moose Jaw crease - MJ Independent photo
“Yeah we had a breakaway (at the end), we hit a few posts and the kids played awesome. They moved the ball really well and we played really physical. It was a great game,” Leroux said.
The Mustangs are a little bit short on the bench as they have 16 out of 18 possible runners on the team.
At Monday evening’s game they had one runner go down and one runner was missing.
“We missed a few bodies tonight. We definitely could have used them. We have a big weekend for Mother’s Day in Regina so we’re definitely looking forward for everyone back for that,” he said.
Moose Jaw Mustangs’ Zadie Bellefeuille (right) pursues Weyburn’s Bash Missal - MJ Independent photo
Asked about the composition of the team which is comprised of various sized players - due to age and physical development - plus more than a few girls Leroux said everything works out.
“Our girls are really good, really mean. I’m a big believer in the girls in our sport…our girls are a huge, huge part of our team.”
Leroux said this season isn’t just about trying to put Ws on the standings but also developing players and the team especially early in the season.
“I’m looking for growth. I’m definitely excited to see where our team is going to be at playoff time. I think we’re going to doing a really good job,” he said.
Mustangs’ Noel Nelson keeps a close eye on the Thrashers’ Lincoln Lasko - MJ Independent photo
First Period
Moose Jaw started strong in the first period with three straight goals.
The Mustangs’ Tanner Hart scored an unassisted goal at 8:53.
Moose Jaw increased their lead less than a minute later at 8:11 when Noel Nelson scored assisted by Benjamin Gagne.
The Mustangs rounded out first period scoring at 1:24 on a Rhett Hazel goal.
Weyburn’s Bree Tuchscherer (left) tries to avoid Moose Jaw’s Noel Nelson - MJ Independent photo
Second Period
Weyburn got on the scoreboard at 5:51 when Justin Uhrich scored assisted by Paislee Besharah.
The Thrashers rounded out second period scoring at 00:39 when Julie Labrecque scored assisted by Nash missal and Jett Fox.
Mustangs’ goalie Madden Craig makes a big save - MJ Independent photo
Third Period
Weyburn would tie the game at 14:16 when Missal scored an unassisted goal.
The Thrashers would score what turned out to be the winning goal 5:54 when Besharah scored assisted by Coy Svedahl.
Labrecque would score the insurance marker for the Thrashers with 3:01 left in the game.
Fighting for the ball in front of the Moose Jaw goal - MJ Independent photo
The Mustangs next South Saskatchewan Lacrosse League game is Friday May 22nd at 8 pm in Swift Current.
The Mustangs clear the zone under pressure from the Thrashers - MJ Independent photo
The Mustangs next South Saskatchewan Lacrosse League home game is Saturday May 23rd at 10:15 am at the Kinsmen Arena (Sportsplex).
