Photo Credit: Chris Cooke
Chris Vale, Kaitlyn Cup Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome
Last November 2016, I reported on a spectacular event that a young lacrosse player, Kaitlyn Cooke was undertaking. She, with the help of friends, family and the teaching staff at the high school she attends put together a tournament of professional players to help fund the program in the hopes of seeing lacrosse at her high school, Monsignor Percy Johnson. The tournament was a success and Monsignor Percy John High School will finally see its first lacrosse team in school history.
The Kaitlyn Cup took place on January 27, 2017. It was a one-day master’s lacrosse tournament which consisted of six teams vying for the championship and The Kaitlyn Cup. The Barn in Oshawa was the venue and is a top of the line ice rink; lacrosse floor; full gym; and pro shop. It’s also where many of the local NLL talent train; and coaches hold youth programs.
The first game kicked off at 4:00 p.m. with Six Nations facing Lone Wolf. The Six Nations squad would come out victorious over the Wolf’s 7-5. Playing for the Six Nations team is always a blast. The team is run by Andy Hill who also plays for the team. Our goalie was Chris Cooke, Kaitlyn’s father who did a lot of work to put together an amazing day of lacrosse action.
We got back on the floor for our second game versus the Misfits and finished off with our second win of the day. Going into our third game we were looking for yet another victory and move on to the championship game. We played team Rusty balls and won 14-10.
Now, it was time to sit and wait for the last regular game of the day to see who we would face. The Banditos would advance to the championship after also going undefeated on their side of the bracket. They were made up of players in the Toronto area masters leagues.
Both teams were pumped and the championship game was a good one with Banditos going ahead, but we came right back and took the lead. With goals being scored on both sides the Banditos just edged us 13-10 capping off a great day of lacrosse for a great cause.
Championship Game Final Score: Banditos 13—Six Nations 10.
Not only was it fun playing and hanging out with our teammates but, there were some great raffle prices; and The Plaza Auto Group donated a car for auction. Total money raised was $3,000.00 and Percy Johnson will be putting a lacrosse team on the field for the first time this spring.
Here are the rosters for the two teams who made the Championship Round:
Six Nations: Chris Cooke (goal), Andy Hill; Jodi Leblanc; Ryan McNaughton; Dave Maracle; Rob Martin; Marky Maracle; John Jamieson; Chris Vale; Josh Powless; Rustin Johnson; and Bubba Lewis.
Banditos: Bryon Bush (goal), Nino Gaspari; Mike Michael Gaspari; Justin Warner; Brandon Tawacs; George Tawacs; Lee Zayonce; and Matthew Busby.
This is what it is all about. People around the nation who want to help grow the game and a high school goalie who wanted her school to field a lacrosse team.
Congratulations Kaitlyn Cooke…you are a lacrosse superstar.
Chris Vale, Kaitlyn Cup Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome