Shamrocks Start Season Off Right With Win Over Langley
The Victoria Shamrocks began what the team hopes will be a successful 2009 season on Friday night with a 12-11 victory over Langley at Bear Mountain Arena.
Victoria took control of the game early leading 4-1 following the first period, only to have Langley storm back and tie the game midway through the second. The Shamrocks and Thunder then traded leads as the game was tied 7 all going into the third. Victoria once again took a three goal lead early in the final period, only to allow Langley to catch up and tie it once again. With the game tied 11 all with less than a minute to go, Victoria's Luke Wiles scored to give the Shamrocks the lead for good.
The Rocks were lead by Wiles with 4 goals and 2 assists and Lewis Ratcliff with a goal and 6 assists. Victoria goalie Nick Patterson stopped 29 of 40 shots in the win.
Victoria comes into the 2009 season ranked 6th in the national lacrosse rankings following 9-8-1 record in 2008. New Westminster swept The Shamrocks in the first round of the 2008 WLA playoffs.
The Shamrocks will now look to build on their first victory when they take on the team that bounced them last season, New Westminster, on the mainland next Thursday. Victoria will return for the second home again against Burnaby next Friday.
