Brock University Athletics

Brock goalie Simon Bellamy (#20) makes a save on a point-blank shot by Michael Berger of Guelph at Alumni Field on Sunday, Oct. 1.

Men's Lacrosse 10/3/2021 8:34:00 PM Stephen Leithwood

Bellamy backstops Badgers with timely saves to clip Gryphons

Goalie Simon Bellamy made several highlight-reel saves as the Brock men's lacrosse team held on for a 10-8 victory over the Guelph Gryphons during a rain-filled game at Alumni Field on Sunday, Oct. 3.

"It's a good win for the guys. Guelph is a great team, and they're going to compete with us this year," said head coach Vince Longboat. "Kudos to the Badgers today. They dug deep and pulled out the win in the end."

The Badgers improved to 2-0 in the West Division of the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association standings.

Brock led 6-2 at halftime, yet Guelph worked their way back into the game in the second half. The Gryphons' offence took flight in the fourth quarter with four goals.

The game's final minutes felt like an eternity for the Badgers as the Gryphons buzzed around Bellamy and the Brock goal.

"It feels like seconds turn into minutes, turn into hours. You look at the clock, and you think, 'how has it been only 15 seconds?'" said Bellamy, who finished with 13 saves. "When they're on a run like that, you can do one of two things: crumble or do everything in your power to stop them in their tracks and snuff out any hopes they had of coming back. My defence did an incredible job."

Despite the inclement weather or whatever Guelph was going to throw at him, Bellamy was ready. He arrived early for the game, separated himself from his teammates, and went through his pre-game routine, including hand-eye coordination drills.

"I take my warmup shots seriously. I imagine that I'm in the game. Don't be lackadaisical with your warmups. Commit to every shot," said Bellamy, a Teacher Education student from Ottawa. "A lot of the big stuffs in the crease wasn't because I was thinking. I was reading and reacting. I was flowing."

Longboat said Bellamy's no-quit attitude is one of the reasons they made him a captain.

"Simon is one of the top goalies in the league. He's been vocal all season, and he's a natural leader alongside fellow goalie Ethan Low," Longboat said. "Simon goes through his game prep systems. Goalies are special. They do their own thing. He played an almost perfect game. There are a few things we have to clean up on defence. I can't fault the goalie for goals that go in when we're giving open looks."

Sam Leclair led the offence with three goals while Nathan Braniff registered a goal and two assists. Aidan Buis and Mitch Zullian each tallied two goals.

"Guelph was pushing for more goals at the end, but Simon made a couple of big saves to seal the deal with a win," Braniff said. "We just took advantage of what the defence was giving us. We've been working all week to get our systems down pat. I think it showed today with the 10 goals."

Josh Rex and Jack Fitzgerald each added a goal while Tyrus Rehanek chipped in two assists.

Before the game, Brock Sports held a ceremony to announce Alex Pace, an Applied Health Sciences student from Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the inaugural recipient of the Paul Miller Lacrosse Award.

"Today, we celebrate No. 12. Paul Miller, a Brock Badger, and a memorial award in his honour which was started by his friends, family and his teammates," said Melissa Krist, Director, Brock Sports. "This memorial will provide an annual scholarship to one deserving men's lacrosse student-athlete."

The Award is granted in memory of Paul Miller (BSc' 90), for whom Brock Lacrosse was an essential part of his Brock experience.

"Alex Pace is a great student-athlete, a great leader who has put in excellent community service. He's one of the strong leaders on our team who is well-deserving of this award," Longboat said. "Paul Miller was a Badger. He was one of us. Once a Badger, always a Badger."

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Players Mentioned

#20 Simon Bellamy: 6' 1"; Fourth Year

#19 Nathan Braniff: 6' 0"; Second Year

#8 Aidan Buis: 5' 11"; Third Year

#2 Sam Leclair: 5' 10"; Third Year

#33 Ethan Low: 5' 7"; Third Year

#16 Tyrus Rehanek: 5' 9"; Fourth Year

#15 Jack Fitzgerald: 6' 1"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#20 Simon Bellamy
: 6' 1"; Fourth Year

#19 Nathan Braniff
: 6' 0"; Second Year

#8 Aidan Buis
: 5' 11"; Third Year

#2 Sam Leclair
: 5' 10"; Third Year

#33 Ethan Low
: 5' 7"; Third Year

#16 Tyrus Rehanek
: 5' 9"; Fourth Year

#15 Jack Fitzgerald
: 6' 1"; First Year

Brock University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned