Bandits travel to Nepean

What an exciting weekend for the Caledon- Vaughan Bandits, with six of their rep teams traveling to the Ottawa area to participate in the Nepean Knights annual Lacrosse Tournament.

The tyke 1 team started their series against Orillia. With two quick goals from the opponent, Bandit Nicholas Saville responded with three in a row. Matthew Impey found the net only 10 seconds left in the first and the Bandits were in the lead 4-2. Despite another goal from Saville and Impey, completing his hat trick, the second period was dominated by Orillia who pulled ahead 10-7. The Bandits played hard until the end, with tough guy Gianluca Mora scoring 2 more goals. Unfortunately the Bandits lost 11-9.

In game two the tykes faced off against the home team favourites, the Nepean Knights. Undaunted by the home crowd cheers, the boys easily overcame the Knights and grew stronger as the game progressed. Goal scorers were Saville (3), Impey, Noah Rebellato and Christopher Mora. Luca Mazzo, Liam Rebellato and Ronald Rout demonstrated their passing and speed to help the Bandits win 6-3.

In game three the tykes found themselves facing a tough tyke team from Akwesasne - a team that had accumulated 64 penalty minutes in only 3 games this tournament. Twenty-eight of them were counted during this game alone. Despite goals from Saville and Impey, this game was all about hard hits, defence and teamwork. There was no doubt that this team could take the hits and then dish them out! Unfortunately the boys simply ran out of time and lost 3-2.

After two days of round robin play the tyke Bandits were pumped and heading into the semifinals. The semis were all about goaltending and the Bandits Samantha Hillson and Eric Becker did not disappoint, especially with defensive specialists Tyler Ellis and Andrew Rybka out front. The lone Bandit goal was a beauty of a set up from Keaton Wilson to Saville. The Oakville 1 team just didn't make a mistake and won 3-1.

The tyke 1 rep team enjoyed a weekend of cheering on their comrades in the novice, peewee, bantam, midget and intermediate levels. Many were fortunate enough to watch the Bandits bantam team win the gold in overtime and then watch the intermediate team capture gold as well! Boys from the age of 7 into their 20s are clearing sharing the excitement of Canada's national summer sport.

The tyke 1 coaching staff of Ted Rybka, Rob Impey, Duncan Ellis and Barry Wilson would like to congratulate all the Bandit rep teams on a very successful tournament.