Brock University Athletics

Neal Adamson of the Brock men’s lacrosse team scoops up the ball at centre field during the Badgers regular season home opener at Alumni Field on Sept. 18.

Men's Lacrosse 9/18/2021 7:58:00 PM Stephen Leithwood

Longboat wins coaching debut, Badgers capture season opener

In their first regular-season game since 2019, the Brock men's lacrosse team defeated the McMaster Marauders 15-6 at Alumni Field on Saturday, Sept. 18.

New head coach Vince Longboat won his coaching debut with the Badgers to kick off the first Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association season since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It feels good. It was a good showing for these guys who haven't competed in almost two years," Longboat said. "There are some things we need to work on, but overall the guys put in a good, solid effort."

Nathan Braniff led the Badgers in scoring with four goals and four assists.

Sam Leclair netted three goals and a pair of assists. Mitchell Zulian potted two goals while James Gowland, Tyrus Rehanek, Alexander Pace, Aidan Buis, Luca Romano and Patrick Morrow each found the back of the net.

Brock led 5-1 at halftime before McMaster started pushing back with three goals and physicality in the third quarter.

"I thought we sat back too much in the third and stopped pressuring the ball like we should on defence," Longboat said.

Brock responded by firing in five goals, and midfielder James Gowland enjoyed scoring his first goal as a Badger.

Gowland cut down the middle, and Rehanek found him completely wide open as he made several fakes to beat the McMaster netminder for the milestone marker.

"The guys made me feel good about the goal. Of course, we still have a lot to do to get better, but in the end, it was a good game, and everyone came to compete," Gowland said. "We kept to our game plan when they got frustrated."

A Medical Sciences student from Selkirk, Ont, Gowland enrolled at Brock University last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"James is a big player we can transition with," Longboat said. "James and many of the younger players played well, including Benjamin Smellie at faceoff and Neal Adamson at the draw. A lot of good things happened today, but our work isn't finished. We're just getting started."

On Friday, the coaching staff named midfielders Alexander Pace and Macgregor Allen, attack Sam Leclair and goalie Simon Bellamy their captains for the 2021 campaign.

"I was thrilled with the selection of our captains," Longboat said. "Since Day 1, they've taken on leadership roles. There's a lot of good leaders on this team. That quality is going to serve our team well."

Up next, the Badgers (1-0) host the Guelph Gryphons at Alumni Field on Sunday, Oct. 3. Face-off is at 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Macgregor Allen: 5' 8"; Fourth Year

#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

#5 Alexander Pace: 6' 1"; Second Year

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

#29 Luca Romano: 5' 9"; Second Year

#12 Mitchell Zulian: 5' 10"; Second Year

#1 Neal Adamson: 6' 3"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#18 Macgregor Allen
: 5' 8"; Fourth Year

#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

#5 Alexander Pace
: 6' 1"; Second Year

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

#29 Luca Romano
: 5' 9"; Second Year

#12 Mitchell Zulian
: 5' 10"; Second Year

#1 Neal Adamson
: 6' 3"; First Year

Brock University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned