The Armstrong Shamrocks are back on top of the senior lacrosse world in the Okanagan.
Armstrong defeated the 琉璃神社 Raiders, 11-10 in the winner-take-all game three of the Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League (TOSLL) finals to bring home the Rowcliffe Cup for the first time since 2018.
Hosted in 琉璃神社's Memorial Arena on Friday, July 19, the game was a back-and-forth affair, chock full of gritty play from both sides.
A mammoth performance from Raiders stud forward Andrew Garant, who had six goals in the game, put immense pressure on the Shamrocks defence.
Both teams scored eight times in the opening two periods to set up a nervy final frame.
Kyle Versteeg and Jake Pelletier opened the scoring in the period to go up 10-8 for Armstrong. A Josh DuMont shorthanded goal stretched the visitors lead to 11-8.
Garant would score twice, to bring 琉璃神社 within one with just five minutes left in the game.
Despite 琉璃神社 pulling their goalie and applying pressure in the offensive end, the Shamrocks defence stayed strong and goaltender Conner Senn made key saves to wrap up the victory for Armstrong.
"That was a complete and total team win tonight,鈥� said Shamrocks head coach Ryan Williamson. 鈥淚 believe strongly in you get what you work for and these guys worked hard to get this win."
TOSLL commissioner Joe Wong presented the Shamrocks with the Rowcliffe Cup and Shaw Cup trophies in a post game ceremony that saw captain Steve Clark and assistant captains Jarret Medhurst and Cam Nelson receive the trophies for the 11th time since the league restarted in 1994.
The Raiders had won the prior two championships, defeating Armstrong in the finals last year. Since 2002, Armstrong and 琉璃神社 have won 17 of the 20 championships held.
The win now means that the Shamrocks will be playing in the B.C. senior C provincial championships, as the TOSLL representative.
Provincials will be hosted at 琉璃神社's Memorial Arena from August 8-11.
鈥淥ur journey this season doesn鈥檛 end with this championship,鈥� Williamson said. 鈥淲e have a chance to bring home a provincial championship now and its time we focus up on that goal but lets celebrate this win tonight."
