Lancaster’s mixed lacrosse team came off on the wrong end of an entertaining fixture, losing to York 11-9. The passionate crowds who came out to support the team on Sunday, Week 2, despite miserable weather conditions were gifted an end-to-end match that could have finished with either side’s victory. Despite spending the majority of the match trailing York, Lancaster constantly hung onto the White Rose’s coat-tails, never letting their own chances of victory slip away. York, desperate for some points with Lancaster’s overall Roses victory imminent, were pushed hard, defeating a home team who seemed to be riding the high of yesterday’s epic encounter in the men’s match.
York were always in the driving seat, taking an early lead and maintaining it. Despite some response from Lancaster, York finished the first quarter ahead 4-2. Soon after the start of the second quarter, York went further in front through a nice passage of passing play. The game however was always open, and soon after Lancaster scored themselves, to bring York’s lead back down to two goals and making it 5-3. Lancaster kept on going and soon after were one goal behind, Luke Wilson shimmying through the York defence to score after an assist from the previous days match winner Andy Challis, donning a superhero-esque cape. Despite the match being close and fraught, Lancaster were always relaxed, treating it at times like a celebration for their victory yesterday.
The goals kept coming in the second quarter and York scored twice more to put themselves in a commanding 7-4 lead as the quarter came to a close. After the break, York kept piling the pressure on Lancaster, inevitably converting a great opportunity to stretch their lead to four points. It looked like that goal might have confirmed York’s victory, but the Red Rose was still in the match and desperate to win. A slick move brought about Lancaster’s fifth goal to reduce the deficit once more. Another opportunity came Lancaster’s way, with Challis scoring after a silly foul was given away by York. Wilson followed suit by scoring immediately, leaving Lancaster just 8-7 behind the leading York team. The scoring never stopped as York quickly replied to take themselves ahead by two once more.
The fourth quarter started with more goals as York were in the ascendency once more and went 10-7 in front. Continuing the pattern of the match thus far, Lancaster replied once more to York’s efforts to gain a substantial lead through another Challis goal. Andy Challis gave Lancaster more hope with another fine goal to leave York just one goal ahead. Nevertheless there was no stopping York from winning, as they scored again just before the final whistle to claim a hard fought 11-9 victory. It was a thoroughly entertaining tie, but Lancaster never managed to get in front, despite a strong effort from the whole team. Lancaster did seem to be suffering the hangover from Saturday’s magnificent win for the men at times, but can be proud that they still gave a strong York team a close fight in this excellent match.
