It proved more fowl than fish – fitting too, considering the opponent.
The Simon Fraser University Clan gave it their all but fell short in a 14-7 loss to the Oregon Ducks on Sunday, finishing second at the Pacific Northwest College Lacrosse League championships in Burnaby.
Looking to pick up their first PNCLL crown since 2014, SFU was buried under a rocket-like start from Oregon, who grabbed a 6-1 lead in the first quarter.
While the Clan regained its composure and cut the deficit to three early in the final frame, the more-veteran Oregonians held the advantage, and added to it with SFU pressing.
“It’s always tough to fall a bit short of your goal, but we dug ourselves an early hole and couldn’t get out of it,” remarked SFU head coach Brent Hoskins.
“It was kind of reminiscent of our (regular season game), and this time we battled back and had some success slowing down their offence.”
Searching to bridge the gap with time a factor in the fourth quarter, SFU pulled netminder Jeremy Lasher, a Burnaby native, only to witness a couple of empty-net tallies by the No. 14-ranked Ducks.
Scoring for the Clan were Kael Naylor, with three, Burnaby’s Tyler Kirby with a pair, and singles by Greg Lunde and Burnaby’s Iain Vickars.
A day earlier, SFU advanced to the final by out-lasting Oreg-on State 6-5. Kirkby and Lunde accounted for two goals apiece in the win, while Lucas Greene and Naylor chipped in singles.
