Tsha’Honnonyendakwha News
by Mellisa Rank
On Saturday November 2nd and Sunday November 9th, two teams from our minor lacrosse association traveled to the Total Sports Experience complex in Rochester, NY to once again compete in the Annual Turkeyshoot Lacrosse Tournament. This is the first year that the tournament was not held in Ithaca, NY. The weather was as expected, very cold and windy but seemed to have very little effect on our players. Our teams registered in the 5/6 grade division and also the Varsity division.
Our 5/6 grade team was comprised of Tyke, Novice and Peewee players and was coached by Shannon Booth. We also had a friend join our team from Akwesasne, Lane Benedict. Blaze White stepped into the nets for the first time and was truly amazing. Our defense was strong and our offense quick and accurate.
The boys came together as a team right from the start which led them to defeat Webster 10-7, and then Corning 11-7. They beat a strong team from Cazenovia 13-10 to make it to the Championship game Penfield, who are from the Rochester area. The Championship game was close the whole way through and our boys played hard but Penfield managed to squeak by us to win 14-12.
This was the first time this group of boys has advanced this far in the tournament. Congratulations boys and to Shannon! GREAT JOB!
On Sunday November 9th, our Varsity team, which registered in the highest level of play for this division, took the field looking to avenge last year’s championship loss. This team was comprised of Midget and Intermediate players from our minor lacrosse association and also six added players from Akwesasne.
The coaches for this team are the dedicated dads, Roland “Doobs” Powless and Jerome Thompson. They destroyed their first two opponents, North Colonie 16-1 and Oshawa 9-3. Next game they took sweet revenge on the team from Six Nations, for the loss in the championship game at the Haudenosaunee Nations Cup here at Onondaga in October, beating them soundly 12-4. They met a tough team from Halton Hills, but strong leadership, skills and teamwork brought them their well deserved win by a score of 8-4. Lyle Thompson was awarded the MVP troyphy. Congratulations boys, Lyle and coaches. You make us proud.
This was the first time in 5 yrs. that a team from the states has won the championship in this division!