In dominant fashion, the Penticton Heat under-15 field lacrosse team finished the Interior Field Lacrosse League play at 12-0.
The U15s pummelled the Kelowna Kodiaks 15-0 and North Okanagan Legengs 17-1 on Nov. 1 at King’s Park, when the association hosted its only weekend of league play.
Penticton scorers against Kelowna were Kale Lawrence with a hat-trick, Brendan Craig, Colin Duffield and Ben Olsen with a pair of goals. Matt Carson, Beau Chetner, Logan Cote, Hayden Marschall, Matt Marschall and Aidan Warren each scored once. Heat goalie Trenton Henson faced one shot. Against the Legends, Freddy Harbinson enjoyed a four-goal performance, while Lawrence had a hat-trick. Carson, Chetner and Olsen netted two goals each with Duffield, Nash Moog, Connor Nohr and Ty Ricard each scoring once.
With weaker competition in their league, Chetner said his players have to compete in practice to get better. That’s where their challenge comes from.
“Working hard in practice to try to make sure the intensity and effort is at the top level so we do get the opportunity to test ourselves and improve,” said Chetner, who guided the team last year to a provincial championship. “We have been getting better. It does show in the games that we play.”
Over the two games, Chetner took the opportunity to move players around and put them in unfamiliar positions, yet still expected the same execution. This week will be about fine tuning for the playoffs being held in Kelowna on Sunday. Penticton finished the season scoring 184 goals and allowing 40.
Balanced offence leads U11s to victory
After going winless the last two seasons, the U11 squad finished 6-5 to qualify for the playoffs. After rolling over the Shuswap Outlaws 9-0, the Heat was forced to settle for a split because of a 7-3 loss to the Kamloops Rattlers. Against the Outlaws, the Heat had a 1-0 lead. In the second half they erupted for eight goals. Heat coach Chris Danby said his team didn’t have a lot of shots, but moved the ball well to generate scoring chances.
“Some of the plays were pass, pass, pass, goal. They did the things they worked on in practice with moving the ball,” said Danby. “It came out at the start of the second half. It was kind of nice to see.”
The Heat also received strong goaltending from Branson Crawford. Danby said that Crawford has the ability to shut down any player. Cylas Charlton, Chay Gettens, Keegan McGifford and Liam Danby each scored twice, while Ben Coombes scored once. In the loss, Danby scored twice, while Charlton scored the other goal.
“It was a good game, we were playing really well,” said Danby, adding that they started the second half scoring two quick goals. “They called a timeout and I say they regrouped and we de-grouped.”
Chris said they didn’t have an answer for the older Rattlers squad.
“The boys played really well over the weekend,” said Danby, saying there is excitement about advancing to the playoffs.
MacDonald nets five for U13s
The Penticton Heat U13 squad ended its season winning four of 12 games. In a 7-0 win over the Kodiaks, Keegan Allen, Rhys MacDonald and Owen McKill scored twice, while Jacob Stewart scored once. Ethan Konno earned the shutout. In an 11-5 loss to the Rattlers, MacDonald scored a hat-trick, while Allen and Stewart each scored once.