The Yorkton Fighting Pikes Field Lacrosse Club played their first-ever home field lacrosse games this past Saturday at Heritage Heights Park against Saskatchewan field lacrosse powerhouse Sturgis, stunning the visitors in many of the younger age groups while playing Sturgis very competitively at the U18 level.
“I was really surprised with how the kids did today,” said Jordan Jarvis, treasurer of the Yorkton Lacrosse Association and head coach of the U15 Fighting Pikes. “We’ve had some success at our younger ages with winning most of our games. The 12-unders lost one and won two and the under nines won all of their games today so they’re doing pretty good.
“They’re playing against kids that have been playing for four or five years while everyone from Yorkton is completely new to the game with the exception of one person so I’m really happy with all of our success so far.”
That one person with experience is Dawson Stefanyshyn, who Jarvis says has not only been a great person to build around, but who has also provided the team with some valuable experience and in-game ‘coaching’. “He (Dawson) is important to us because he’s played lacrosse before,” mentioned Jarvis. “He helps settle things down during the game and is a good leader out there.”
In total the Fighting Pikes played 10 games, nine of which were against Sturgis, going 6-3 against much more experienced opponents. Jarvis believes that the reason for the success is simple: the kids are falling in love with the sport. “As soon as they picked up the lacrosse stick for the first time you could tell they just fell in love with it,” mentioned the long-time lacrosse player. “I’m extremely proud of them. They have caught on very well to the game and have taken a liking to it and it’s great to see them find success so early.”
The next action for the Yorkton Fighting Pikes Lacrosse Team will be this weekend when Sturgis once again visits.
