LADY NORTHMEN - the next generation. It was grading day at the Tony Rose on Saturday morning as the newest members were welcomed into the Northmen family. 14 girls who’s ages ranged from 3-6 took to the floor for the first time as part of a new program called Northmen Girls. Photo/MIKE MALONEY The Sanderson Sports Novice Field Lacrosse Northmen improved their regular season record to 5- 1, moving into sole possession of second place by winning three of four games over the last two weekends.

Playing against Hamilton in Toronto two weeks ago, Orangeville saw a two goal lead evaporate in the second quarter and ended the first half trailing the Bengals 4-3.

Down but far from out, the Northmen scored one in the third and two more in the fourth quarter to stake themselves to a 6-4 advantage.

Hamilton scored with five minutes left on the clock to pull within one, but a solid Orangeville defence held on for the win.

Liam McIllwraith paced the attack with two goals and an assist while Devon Dunkerley added two goals of his own. Tanner Buck and Zach Bell rounded out the scoring with one each.

Elgin Cooke and Keegan Madden shared the goaltending duties and were outstanding in the win.

The Northmen next faced undefeated, first place Oakville Hawks, but a slow start soon found them down 3-0.

Orangeville was forced to play catch up all game, but a 5-3 score at the half was as close as they would come with Oakville outscoring them through the final two quarters to win 10-5.

Dunkerley would lead the offence with two goals and an assist and Buck chipped in with a goal and an assist. Trevor Castle and McIllwraith scored a goal each and Kurtis Cotton picked up an assist.

Last weekend the Sanderson Sports Novices travelled to Windsor and faced Brampton, who went into the game tied with Orangeville for second. 

Brampton came into this game with quite a bit confidence, not having lost to Orangeville in this age group over four years box or field lacrosse.

In true Northmen fashion, Orangeville showed the tide was about to turn winning an 8-7 nail biter.

The two teams tied the first quarter 2-2, the third 3 and the fourth 1-1 with the difference being a 2-second quarter in favour the Northmen.

Andrew Reynolds and Cotton led the offence with two goals each while McIllwraith, Castle, Dunkerley and Buck contributed with one a piece.

Riley Piercey, Castle, Buck, Reynolds and Dunkerley also picked up assists. Cooke and Madden split the goaltending duties and again showed why they are both considered the top goaltenders in the West, making many point blank saves to help secure the one goal win.

The final game against Kitchener was highlighted by an Orangeville four goal first quarter and coasted to a solid 7-2 win. two in the fourth.

Buck led the way with three goals and an assist while McIllwraith(2) Liam Smith and Dunkerley added to the goal total. Reynolds recorded three assists and Tristan Williams added an assist.

The usual strong defensive crew of Kyle Whitten, Quinten Schneider, Ben Ferguson and Brock Giles added to the goaltending of Madden to make it impossible for Kitchener to mount any kind of consistent offence.