Team chemistry shouldn't be a factor when the Ladner Pioneers try to capture the Canadian senior men's "A" field lacrosse championship on home soil this weekend.
The Ross/Victory Cup gets underway on Friday at Winskill Park in Tsawwassen with the Pioneers among five teams battling for the tier one title. Ladner has loaded up its line-up for the three-day tournament, including the signing of former NCAA star Jordan McBride and the return of hometown standouts Andrew McBride and Gary Bining.
McBride arrives on Thursday from Calgary, while Bining, the former field star at Ohio State University, returns home on Friday from medical school.
"Every single player we have this weekend will have worn a Pioneer, Footmen or Islander jersey at some point in their career," said head coach Greg Rennie. "These guys have all won national championships at various levels. This will be a good cohesive group.
"Andrew is really going to solidify our defence and Gary will be a calming influence up front."
The Pioneers open the tournament on Friday afternoon (1 p.m.) against reigning B.C. champion Whalley Ballers, then face Ontario's London Molly Blooms at 5 p.m. Saturday's schedule features a doubleheader with Calgary teams - 10 a.m. against the Boykiws and 1 p.m. against the Raiders.
The top four teams square off in Sunday's semi-finals at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The medal games are slated for 2: 30 p.m. (bronze) and 4: 30 p.m. (gold).
