Jun 17, 2009 - 09:22 AM

By Shawn Cayley

CLARINGTON -- The inevitable, as Jason Crosbie puts it, finally happened to his Clarington Green Gaels last week.

They lost a game.

After starting the OLA Jr. B lacrosse league season 17-0, the Gaels hit a road bump last Friday in the form of the Newmarket Hurricanes, which handed Clarington its first loss, a shocking 4-1 defeat.

Though not thrilled with the lackadaisical manner in which his team lost, Crosbie takes solace in that it happened now and not next week after the playoffs open.

"They didn't want to sacrifice themselves and do the necessary things it takes to win," he said in explaining the loss. "Really, it's a good thing we lost now so that I have something to hold over their heads.

"You can't go perfect. You have to be able to lose to be able to win if that makes sense," he added. "If you don't learn how to lose, you won't be able to win more. I can't see us going perfect through the playoffs, so this is a blessing in disguise in many ways."

With a full lineup against the Saints, the talent level was available for a Clarington club that, last time it played Newmarket, won handily 16-3. The problem in Crosbie's eyes was the mindset of his young team.

"We were very mentally unmotivated and that's why all the mistakes were made all game long. It's the 17-and-0 curse," he said, noting overconfidence, which has stemmed from demolishing teams night after night.

Considering the time of year, and the fact most of the roster consists of high school kids going through proms, exams, culminating tasks and various other year-end projects, it's easy to assume that the players' minds might be of the wandering variety at this point.

With that in mind, the Gaels enjoyed a weekend away from lacrosse, said Crosbie, including a team get-together Saturday night away from the floor.

"I told them to get themselves recharged, go at it this week and then get ready for the playoffs."

Last night (after our deadline) the Gaels were in Markham, while they close out the regular season hosting Huntsville Thursday (8 p.m.) at Garnet Rickard.

NOTES: Curtis Knight scored the lone Clarington goal in the loss, which, until the final minute, was a 2-1 game. Mike Power and Emerson Clark picked up assists on the goal, while Zach Palmer was held pointless for the first time this season ... Coach Jason Crosbie said goalie Zack Higgins was outstanding throughout the night, making several huge saves as the offence sputtered ... Last Thursday Ryan Serville had five points as the Gaels defeated Orillia 11-4 at home. In addition to a goal from Serville, Jordan Saunderson, Chad Tutton and Shayne Jackson had a pair, with singles by Clark, Knight, Palmer and James Shepherd ... Matt Chamois earned the win in goal.