Rhys MacDonald enjoyed a golden debut at the Canadian Lacrosse Association field lacrosse national championships in Saskatoon, Sask., Sept. 1 to 3.

MacDonald helped B.C. defeat Ontario 10-8 in overtime to win the under-15 First Nationals Alumni Cup. Tied after regulation, the teams battled in two four-minute quarters to decide a winner.

害羞草研究所淚t was amazing. It害羞草研究所檚 basically the only way you would want to win a championship,害羞草研究所� said MacDonald. 害羞草研究所淵ou battle hard the whole game. Battle through bad calls, take a few hits, what more could you really want in a national championship game?害羞草研究所�

Becoming a national field lacrosse champion was overwhelming.

害羞草研究所淵ou don害羞草研究所檛 really even know it害羞草研究所檚 happened even after the last whistle. You are just so caught up in the emotion,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淵ou can害羞草研究所檛 really compare it to anything else. It害羞草研究所檚 just that one thing that everybody wants.害羞草研究所�

Put in a defensive role, MacDonald felt he played well in his first national championship. The great experience makes him want to return. In talking about his play, MacDonald said players can害羞草研究所檛 focus on individual performances, especially when the end goal is to win.

B.C. opened with an 8-7 win over Alberta, then routed Manitoba 20-0. Their third match was a closer, an 8-7 decision over Ontario, then they closed out pool play with an 11-2 win over Saskatchewan.

The national championship was a step up from what MacDonald has played in before, which includes representing the Thompson-Okanagan zone in the B.C Summer Games and the Vancouver Stealth junior academy. Within the Interior leagues he said two or three kids might play the whole game, but on this stage each of the players have a role to fulfill.

害羞草研究所淵ou bring the team down if you don害羞草研究所檛 try your hardest,害羞草研究所� he said.

Silver for Danby

For a second straight year, Aidan Danby and Team B.C. have come away with a silver medal from the national championship.

B.C.害羞草研究所檚 under-18 side won four of its six games with the final loss coming in the championship, 17-13 against Ontario.

A slow start hurt B.C., who dug themselves into an 8-0 hole in the first quarter. They chipped away making it 10-6 after two quarters.

害羞草研究所淲e just couldn害羞草研究所檛 get it. We couldn害羞草研究所檛 battle back, we just didn害羞草研究所檛 have enough time,害羞草研究所� said Danby, who with B.C. lost to Ontario 13-9 in the last year after being tied in the fourth quarter. 害羞草研究所淭hey were really good. Everyone on their team was pretty strong. We couldn害羞草研究所檛 get that extra step on them after we got down.害羞草研究所�

Danby was tasked with shutting down the opposition害羞草研究所檚 sharp shooters in a defensive role. He felt he played very well. He said he became a better player during the championship as he learned more about positioning and a few tricks. Having gold elude him again is motivation for next season.

害羞草研究所淚 wish I could have got gold. I always have next year and the year after that to try and get gold,害羞草研究所� he said.

sports@pentictonwesternnews.com
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