story by Kent Lyons.
The Onondaga RedHawks’ Senior Men’s team won the Can- Am Lacrosse League Championship Friday Aug. 5th at the Gil Lay Arena in Newtown. After a persistent 12 year run of second place finishes the Onondaga Redhawks succeeded in capturing the Can-Am Championship. The last Onondaga Championship was won in 1993 the inaugural season of the Iroquois Lacrosse Association. The Onondaga team swept the perennial Seneca champion, Newtown Golden Eagles, four straight in a best of seven series. The win also secured both the Can-Am regular season league title and the playoff Championship.
The RedHawks will now have the honor of representing the Can-Am at the Presidents cup, The “Senior B” Canadian National Tournament held Aug. 22-27 in Waterloo, Ontario. The winning combination has been managed by longtime OAC members, Head Coach, “Ace Stout” and his Coaching Staff which includes Freeman “Boss” Bucktooth, Brian “Labrador” Phillips, and Onondaga stick-maker, Alfie Jacques who continues on in his father Louie Jacques’ footsteps as an important part of Onondaga Lacrosse. The Onondaga team appears very strong and should prove to be a strong contender in the tournament. The Native presence at the National tournament should be quite impressive, with the likes of Six Nations, at least one team from Akwesasne, and the possibility of Kanawake in the mix for a berth from the ILA and Quebec Leagues.
There can be no denying the Onondaga team has proved that persistence pays off and above all, the hometown boys can definitely get it done. The success of the RedHawks, has landed the Onondaga Lacrosse Program in a highly respected light. The pride that a lacrosse championship brings to the community is tremendous and all of Onondaga wins when the men do well. Congratulations are in order for the men in Red, Nice Job!
Game 4 Summary
Onondaga RedHawks 12 @ Newtown Golden Eagles 7
Scoring Newtown
Vern Abrams, 1-0Brian Stevens 3-1Tracey White 1-0Tony Leroy 1-0Chris Jimerson 1-0
Onondaga Scoring: Mike Abrams 1-0, Neal Powless 2-2, Peter Benedict 3-2, Dustin Hill 1-1, AJ Bucktooth1-0, Dave Stout1-1, Gewas Schindler 1-5, Brett Bucktooth 2-1.
Series Game Scores
Game # 1 Newtown 6 @ Onondaga 14
Game #2 Onondaga 7 @ Newtown 3
Game #3 Newtown 6 @ Onondaga 10
Game #4 Onondaga 12 @ Newtown 7