The Delta Footmen saved their best for last against their season-long rival to be crowned U18 provincial tier two champions.
The Footmen concluded the 2022/23 campaign at the B.C. Lacrosse showcase event at Newton Athletic Park with a 14-6 win over Mission/Valley in the gold medal game, played on Feb. 19. It was the final chapter of an epic post-season battle that began a few weeks earlier in the Pacific Coast Lacrosse League playoffs.
Delta produced wins over Maple Ridge and Vancouver/Richmond, then roared back from an 8-3 fourth quarter deficit to defeat Mission /Valley in extra time to reach the final of the double knockout format in dramatic fashion.
Mission/Valley got past Richmond/Vancouver to earn another crack at the Footmen and produced a pair of victories, including an 11-10 second game triumph in overtime to capture the league tier two banner back on Feb. 12.
It was then off to Surrey where Delta and Mission/Valley were among the six teams competing for provincial bragging rights.
The Footmen squeaked into the semi-finals after dropping round-robin games to Mission/Valley (8-5) and Richmond/Vancouver (12-9) while battling the Adanacs to 11-11 draw.
Delta adjusted its strategy with a renewed formula for the playoffs and it paid off with an 11-9 final four win against Surrey. The momentum continued into the gold medal game with an outstanding performance, led by tournament MVP Turner Anderson.
Coaches Greg Leong and Alex Emro, along with team manager LeeAnn Neaves – decided to take a different approach with their team this season. They gave the players the ability to coach and lead themselves, with the coaches’ support.
The cohesion, inclusiveness and self-accountability this approach created was visible from the sidelines each game. Players held each other accountable on the field and made coaching decisions as peers throughout the season.
The roster includes three graduating players – Carter Torok, Tavis Bott and Dylan Maskell.
Rounding out the team were: JJ Milne, Dryden Murrell, Amaro Rojas Arce, Nicholas Leong, Ayrton Bodo, Ben Eckert, Ethan Fasse, Carter McIntyre, Zachary Milne, Holden Johnston, Aidan Currivan, Ryan Roberts, William Bocolas, Riley Neaves and Ajay Pannu.
