The Ladner Pioneers are headed to Friday’s semi-finals at the President’s Cup national senior “B” lacrosse championships in Edmonton.
Zach Herreweyers’ goal with just three seconds remaining gave Ladner a dramatic 10-9 victory over Can-Am Lacrosse League champion Akwesasne Bucks on Wednesday morning to secure a semi-final berth. It was the Pioneers’ fourth consecutive win to start the tournament after earlier triumphs over the Calgary Mounties (12-9), Six Nations Rivermen (9-6) and Capital Region Axemen (14-4).
A season-long 23-game win streak ended Wednesday night with an 11-6 loss to the host Edmonton Miners. That result locked up top spot for the Alberta champions (5-0) heading into Thursday’s final round-robin games.
Ladner (4-1-0) closes out play at noon against Three Nations champion Snake Island Muskies (0-3-2) and is destined to be playing in Friday’s 3 p.m. semi-final game that will feature the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. Edmonton will play the No. 4 seed at 4 p.m. Six Nations (2-2-0), Calgary (1-2-2) and Akwesasne (2-3-0) are all in contention for the final two playoff spots.
The gold medal game is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Logan Schuss had a huge game against the Bucks, factoring in on nine of the goals, including an assist on the winner from Herreweyers as he found him wide open on the side of the crease as he drew a double-team with time winding down.
Edmonton shut down Ladner’s potent attack hours later, breaking the game open with four answered goals in the second period to take a 6-1 lead.
Schuss was held off the score sheet but did get into a fight with Miners’ enforcer Aaron Duff in the early stages of the third period, ending his night.
Herreweyers led the Pioneers with a pair of goals. Tyler Pace added a goal and two assists.
Pace leads the team in tournament scoring with 24 points through five games. Phil Caputo and Schuss have 18 each. Herreweyers 15 and Ryan Benesch 13.
Ladner is trying to bring the President’s Cup back to B.C. for the first time since 2004.
