The Nanaimo Timbermen showed enthusiasm to be back out on the lacrosse floor, but weren’t able to translate that into a win on opening night.
The city’s senior A Western Lacrosse Association squad was defeated 13-9 by the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Saturday, May 28, at Frank Crane Arena.
“We tried our best to get out on the floor and execute the pace we wanted to,” said Tewanee Joseph, the new coach of the Timbermen. “Sometimes we did, sometimes not as well, but that’s part of coming back into the sport after such a long hiatus.”
The WLA lost two full seasons to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the T-men return as a new-look team, with changes at all areas of the floor. Joseph said he was happy with the complete 60-minute effort and though the Salmonbellies went on a six-goal run in the second period which ended up being the difference, Joseph said the T-men know they’re capable of going on those sorts of runs, too.
“That’s what we’re going to focus on as we go forward,” he said. “Recognizing tempos in games, momentum in games is really important.”
The coach said the Timbermen have the pieces they need and said the players are “incredible human beings” to work with.
“They want to learn, they want to get better, they want to be champions not only on the floor but in life,” Joseph said. “There’s not anything more I can ask for than that.”
Taggart Clark led Nanaimo on Saturday with two goals and two assists, Jon Phillips had four assists and Evan Messenger scored a goal to go with two helpers. Other scorers included Tyson Roe, Jarrett Smith, Colton Lidstone, Ethan Forgrave, Davide Byrne and Adam Wiedemann. Ethan Woods tended goal as Nanaimo outshot New West 57-47.
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