The Ladner Pioneers have loaded up their war chest as they prepare to defend their West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association championship and return to the President’s Cup national championships for the second straight year.
The Pioneers made it three straight wins on Sunday night with a key 14-10 triumph in Coquitlam to improve to 8-4-0 on the season and leapfrog the Adanacs into third place in the league standings.
Former Delta Islanders standout Spencer Bromley made his season debut with a goal and four assists, just hours after returning from school down south. He was a key contributor during last season’s run to the WCSLA title.
The Pioneers also unveiled their latest edition at the back — National Lacrosse League veteran Pete McFetridge. The 32-year-old not only provides a major presence on defence but leadership too.
“It’s huge for us to have a guy with that much experience in the NLL and WLA,” said head coach Ross Frehlick. “It’s almost like having an assistant coach on the floor just sharing his knowledge with the younger guys.”
Three days earlier, the Pioneers welcomed back Sam Clare to the line-up from an off-season leg injury in a 13-3 home floor win over the Valley Rebels. The hometown product is a huge part of his team’s transition game since he decided to move into a defensive role last season.
Former Islanders sniper Cody Nass scored in his Ladner debut against Valley.
Tyler Kirby led the way against Coquitlam with four goals while Nathan Clare and Jack Berry each scored twice as the Pioneers opened up a commanding 12-6 lead after two periods.
“I don’t think in all my years as a player and coach have we scored goals like this team has,” added Frehlick. “Now if we can get our defence up to the same level we will be right where we want to be.”
The club has also added Surrey native Dylan LaCroix who has spent the past two seasons in the WLA with the Thunder. He is expected to be in the line-up on Thursday when the Nanaimo Timbermen (8-3-0) visit Ladner at 7 p.m.
The 2018 President’s Cup hosts are loading up their roster with the addition of WLA all-star Cory Conway, while 2018 NLL playoff MVP Jeff Shattler from the Saskatchewan Rush is expected to play his first game on Thursday.
