Two local players have added yet another lacrosse championship to their already-impressive careers.
Forward Kasey Beirnes and defender Rob Marshall, both residents of Fergus, recently helped the Six Nations Chiefs capture the Mann Cup, awarded to the national champion in Sr. A box lacrosse.
The Chiefs defeated host Victoria Shamrocks 4-2 in the best-of-seven series, taking the final game 8-5 on Sept. 13.
The series was very close, with all but two games won by three or fewer goals – something that surprised many Chiefs players.
“I think some of our players were expecting a sweep, but … Victoria was a good team, it definitely wasn’t an easy task,” said Beirnes.
Added Marshall, “Victoria didn’t have the all-star names that we had, but they were a team that gelled all summer. [They were] a quick team.”
The Chiefs fell behind twice in the series (1-0 and 2-1) but battled back to win the final three games.
“A battle of defences and goalies is what it was,” said Beirnes.
Both Marshall and Beirnes noted the team was exhausted following the final game, after playing six games in eight days, but the struggle made the cup win – the first for both of them – all the more special.
“It was such a great experience,” Beirnes said, adding, “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve done (physically) in lacrosse.”
Marshall agreed. “It was a lot harder than I thought it would be,” he said.
Marshall and Beirnes said they will enjoy a few weeks off before resuming training for the 2014 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season, which begins Dec. 28.
Both former Elora Mohawks are current players with the NLL’s Toronto Rock. Last season Beirnes led the Rock in goals (31) and was fifth in points (54), while Marshall was fifth on the team in loose balls (68).
Beirnes and Marshall helped the Rock win the 2012 NLL championship and also won a President’s Cup Sr. B championship together and a Founder’s Cup Jr. B championship together (Beirnes coached and Marshall played).
The only thing left, Beirnes joked, is for he and Marshall to coach a team to a championship. “We’ll see what happens,” he said with a laugh.
