The wait is almost over for the Ladner Pioneers and their attempt to bring the President’s Cup national senior “B” lacrosse championship back to B.C. for the first time in 18 years.
The Pioneers take their undefeated season to Edmonton for the seven-team tournament that gets underway on Sunday and wraps up with the gold and bronze medal games on Sept. 3. The West Coast Senior Lacrosse League champions will play six round-robin games over five days, looking to securing one of the four semi-final berths up for grabs.
Standing in their way are six other league champions, along with Alberta runner-up Calgary Mountaineers whom will be Ladner’s opening day opponent.
Next Monday’s afternoon tilt versus Ontario Series Lacrosse League and 2019 tourney champions Six Nations Rivermen looms large, as does Wednesday’s doubleheader against Can Am League champion Akwesasne Bucks (10 a.m.) and host Edmonton Miners (7 p.m.).
Featuring a line-up loaded with National Lacrosse League talent, the Pioneers breezed to the WCSLA title with 19 consecutive wins, including the playoffs. However, the roster was constructed with the sole purpose of winning nationals where pro players have been a common ingredient for success.
“On paper, I would say we are the team to beat but paper doesn’t mean anything,” said head coach Ross Frehlick. “Six Nations are quick and they are young. We know Wednesday is going to be a tough day. The Miner are the Miners. They are going to be good.
“Hopefully we are going to get off to a strong start against Calgary and we know it’s only going to get tougher from there.”
The Pioneers were hoping were hoping NLL playoff scoring leader Eli McLaughlin would be ready for the tournament but the Colorado Mammoth standout has been ruled out. Instead, they are added Vancouver Warriors goalie Alex Buque and transition player Brandon Goodwin. Both played this summer with North Shore.
Here is the Pioneers’ President Cup schedule. All times are in PDT:
Sunday August 28
1 p.m. vs. Calgary Mountaineers (Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League)
Monday, August 29
1 p.m. Six Nations (Ontario Series Lacrosse League)
Tuesday, August 30
4 p.m. Ottawa’s Capital Region Axemen (QSLL) Quebec Senior Lacrosse League
Wednesday, August 31
9 a.m. Akwesasne Bucks (Can-Am League)
6 p.m. Edmonton Miners (Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League)
Thursday Sept. 1
Noon: Snake Island Muskies (Three Nations Senior Lacrosse League)
Friday Sept. 2
Semi-finals 1 p.m. and 4 p.m
Saturday, Sept. 3
2 p.m. Bronze medal game
6 p.m. Gold medal game
*all games at Bill Hunter Arena
