The Westlock Midget girls Rock took their early Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council season success into a game against the Parkland Posse April 28.
After tying the Beaumont Raiders 3-3 and defeating the St. Albert Rams 8-0 in their first games of the season April 21-22, the Rock hosted the team from Parkland at the Rotary Spirit Centre, and defeated them handily 5-0.
“We weren’t sure what Parkland was going to bring, they’re probably top three,” said coach Denise Boulerice after the game. “The girls are happy; they play a hard, pressing game. They’re well conditioned to play and it’s kind of been our success.
“We were moving the ball and supporting each other, there was some good picks on the ball. They were taking some shots. They’re really hesitant on their shooting so I’m just encouraging them to shoot every chance they get.”
Alisha Boulerice opened and closed the scoring in the first period with an assist from Denise Greanya on the second goal.
Mackenzie Sawchuk scored the third goal just over halfway into the second with Paytyn McNelly scoring again with an assist from Brittney Howse, who scored the fifth goal in the third period to close out the game.
“I think our passing and moving the ball up the floor was really good. We took lots of shots on net. The more shots we take, the better chance we have to score,” said Camryn Wiegand, who is the lone rookie on a team that has been together for several years.
“It’s a super-intense game. There’s not a lot of time to watch and observe. I used to play baseball, but that wasn’t intense enough for me. I wanted to up my game so I chose lacrosse.”
“These girls love the fastness, the pace and the contact,” said Boulerice. There’s no problem with that in Westlock.”
Boulerice also commended goalie Paige Brill on her shutout performance.
“She’s probably the strongest in the league. She’s also a ringette goalie so her skill transfer is definitely there. She keeps us in the game sometimes, until we wake up. Today, the third period was definitely hers, they had some good shots and good shooters, so she earned that shutout.”
