Green Gaels have Founders on the mind

CLARINGTON -- For most teams, going four years without winning a championship is no big deal, expected even.

But for the Clarington Green Gaels, who made winning a Founders Cup national lacrosse title a biennial event from 1998 to 2004, it's an unprecedented drought.

Coach Jason Crosbie hopes the thirst will be quenched once again this summer, however, as he gets ready to lead the team into their Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior B season opener next Thursday at the Garnet Rickard Recreation Complex.

In fact, after making the final roster moves Tuesday, Crosbie admitted there was almost an embarrassment of riches to choose from this year.

"There's just so much talent around here," raves Crosbie, pointing out that both the Green Gaels and Junior A Whitby Warriors have lost only a handful to graduation. "It's just pure numbers, that's all it is ... Too many kids, not enough spots."

So, as badly as he may feel for the many players coming through the minor ranks locally, choosing from among them bodes well for the season ahead.

"It's going to be a talented team, very, very talented team," says Crosbie. "The expectation is to go to the Founders Cup. Last year, we wanted to contend as best we could because we had a rookie-laden lineup."

Contend they did, finishing atop the Mid East Division with a 17-3 record and beating Barrie in the first round before being upset in five games by Halton Hills.

With leading scorers Ryan Serville and Zack Palmer back, as well as goalie Zack Higgins and a number of other key players from a year ago, experience should not be a problem. Add to that the promising young talent, and Crosbie sees no reason his club can't get to Edmonton and contend for a fifth Founders Cup title.

Crosbie made his final selections Tuesday following the annual Green and White game, which was preceded by the Green Gael Classic Pre-season Tournament on Saturday, where two split squads went 3-1 against Markham and Newmarket.

When they open up for real at 8 p.m. Thursday against Markham, he expects fans to see a familiar product.

"Always our strength will be defence, transition," he says. "We like to run and gun, that's what we do. We like to push the ball and make them make mistakes when we're running fast and doing things on the run."