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By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 1/8/14
Aaron Forster said winning the Brogden Cup last weekend with Team Canada before a home crowd at the Oshawa Civic Field House was one of the biggest thrills of his life.
“Playing in the Brogden Cup had a very surreal feeling to it,” Forster said. “Representing Canada alongside my coaches and teammates with Team Ontario was a huge honor and I am very thankful for being able to have participated in such a widely renowned event.
Team Canada goalie Holden McDonald was a standout in the team’s sweep of Team USA (Photos courtesy Level 2 Sports)
“Our American friends traveled a long way through stormy weather, to see that level of commitment to play in this event was very impressive. Having said that, the atmosphere was also very competitive which made for a great two games of lacrosse.”
See game recaps, photos, and reaction from earlier article.
Forster, a 2014 midfielder, was of many stars that helped lead Team Canada to its first Brogden Cup championship in several years. Team Canada was comprised mostly of players from Team Ontario, who won the First Nations Cup at the Canadian Lacrosse Association U19 Field Lacrosse Championships. Team USA featured players from New Jersey and Long Island that competed in the Brine National Lacrosse Classic finals last summer.
Team Canada swept the best-of-three series, 12-6, and 13-3, though the first game was even through the first half. Both teams had to play with shortened rosters due to travel conditions, injuries and other commitments.
The annual, best of three-game Brogden Cup series is named for H. McCullough Brogden, who was a member of the 1932 and 1933 Johns Hopkins University teams and the 1932 Olympic team. The event is run by Level 2 Sports.
“Going into the first game we knew that we were going to be short staffed, forcing us to change our strategies,” said Forster, who attends John McCrae Secondary School in Ottawa, Ontario. “We also knew that in order to operate at a peak performance we had to be disciplined.
“I think we were a little rusty and it took us couple quarters to get back into the swing of things. However, in the first half of the first game our ball possession was not where we wanted it to be. Playing against a very gifted and well coached team like our opponents, we needed to cherish our possessions more and slow the game down just like our coaches advised us to.”
Team USA capitalized on several Team Camnada penalties in the beginning of the first game, but soon Canada seized control behind its transition game and the goaltending of Holden McDonald changed the momentum.
“We soaked in the half-time adjustments our coaches made and came into the second half ready to go,” Forster said. “Our transition game improved immensely and we started to control the ball more. Our communication on defense improved and we played strong throughout the rest of the game.”
Forster said many family members and friends attended the games.
“Winning the Cup on home soil was a phenomenal feeling,” he said. “I believe it has been at least five years since Canada last won the Brogden Cup, I’m sure I speak for the coaching staff, my teammates, and myself when I say we were very gracious and excited to have won it here in Ontario.
“I was also very lucky to have my father and some familiar faces in the crowd watching the games as they took place. My good friends from the Williamson family (Tom, Kerry and Wendy) watched the second game from start to finish, it is always a blessing being able to play in front of people that you are close with.
Team USA
“I would just like to take this opportunity to say thanks to everybody who made this event possible. Thank you to all of the parents, coaches and players for their dedication and passion for the game. Without the tremendous amount of commitment and love for the game, events like these would not be able to occur.”
McDonald was especially strong in the second game, making numerous key saves and posting at least 15 overall. Currently at St. Mary’s High School in Pickering, Ontario, he will attend perennial juco champion Onondaga Community College.
“It was exciting,” said McDonald, who was named the top goalie at the Canadian Field Lacrosse Championships. “Having been fortunate enough to play in the last two years, it was nice to come out with the win this time around. The boys did a great job in not overexerting themselves with the short bench. Sticking to the coach’s game plan was also a big factor.”
McDonald credited his defense.
“From the defense out, we all did our part making life easier on one another,” he said. “Our defense really led the way in our team’s success, covering (Syosett’s Jack) Concannon, from Team USA, really well not allowing him any uncontested shots and giving me an easier time in net.”
Winning at home also made the victory sweeter.
“It’s always special to win something at home because we won our Canadian Championship on the road in Montreal, Quebec,” McDonald said. “I was lucky enough to have family and friends to share the moment with.”
Canada (Team Ontario) roster
Patrick DeHueck, of Burlington
Rory Flynn, Orangeville
Aaron Forster, Nepean
Holden Garlent, St. Catharines
Tyler Gaulton, Peterborough
Connor Kearnan, Clarington
Kyle Killen Peterborough
Matthew Lee, Mimico
Holden McDonald, Oshawa
Eddie Renaud, Burlington
Adrian Torok-Orban, Toronto
Luke Van Schepen, Brampton
Mitchell Wales, Burlington
Chris Young, Oakville
Foster Cuomo, Oakville
Zach Bryant, Oshawa
Keenan Cook, Oshawa
Coaches
Head Coach Clem D’Orazio
Ass’t Coach Mike Bentivegna
Ass’t Coach Adam Gardner
Trainer Kaylin Fraser
GM Sonya Crossey
Paula Kearnen, manager
Eric Sorcetti, trainer for both teams
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