With their all-star sensation and leading goal-scorer Chase Pretti-Pearsall knocked out of the gold medal game in the second frame of overtime, the Vancouver Barbarians U14 field lacrosse team topped their undefeated New West opponents 8-7 to win the tier II provincial title Feb. 19 in Victoria.
"It was absolutely amazing," said Vancouver's head coach and Chase's father, Rob Pearsall. "This was about as big as it gets."
The winning goal came in the opening seconds of a sudden-death, third period of overtime. Ducati Gedge, who all game had been battling New West's clever goaltender (and who was named tournament MVP), found enough space and launched his shot at net for the winning point.
The pass came off a deceptive offensive move by Levi Gingras-Fox.
"He always shoots fast and he shots low," Pearsall said of Gringas-Fox. "Normally he would take that shot but he fakes the shot high and to the right then passes it off to Ducati, who catches it with about 35 seconds into sudden-death."
Pearsall said this year marked the first time Vancouver competed at the B.C. championships, adding the prize of a gold medal to their historic season. With the accomplishment, the small Vancouver-Killarney field lacrosse league will continue to grow.
Named the 2011 field lacrosse player of the year by the Richmond lacrosse association, Pretti-Pearsall scored a teamleading 36 goals in 14 games for the Barbarians. Twice named game MVP during the round robin stage of the B.C. championship, Pretti-Pearsall contributed seven goals in a 16-2 win over a Vancouver Island team and in five tournament games, notched 15 goals and three assists.
So, two minutes into the second frame of overtime in the gold-medal game when he levelled an opposing New West defender, knocking him out of bounds but also forced to take a knee from the impact, Pretti-Pearsall's absence put his team at a disadvantage.
"This is like losing Ryan Kesler," said his father.
He didn't have a concussion, but was not cleared to return to the game.
Pearsall and co-coach John Robbie told the Barbarians they each had to step up in order to claim the provincial title. The young players were coached to believe they could indeed win without their star.
"They were all looking at me, saying, 'We can.'"
And they did.
Summer box lacrosse
As the field lacrosse season comes to a close, box lacrosse begins next month with games scheduled from April to July. Registration for Vancouver Killarney Minor Lacrosse Association is open for new and returning players from five to 17 years of age. Visit vancouverlacrosse.com for more information. [email protected]
