With so many newcomers on the roster, Valley Rebels coach Jim Nishiyama thought it might take some time for the local senior B lacrosse team to truly gel.
So when the Rebels came charging out of the gates with a 14-4 win over the Port Moody Thunder in their regular season opener last Friday at MSA Arena, Nishiyama was thrilled.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he admitted. “Some of these guys haven’t played in a year and a half, and it’s a whole new defence. But it was impressive, to say the least.”
The Rebels led 6-4 after the first period, but out-scored the Thunder 8-0 from that juncture as three players notched six points apiece – Sean Kelly (four goals, two assists), Jordan Hernandez (two goals, four assists) and Shaun McRae (one goal, five assists).
“The first period was a little shaky,” Nishiyama noted. “(Goalie) Matt Morehouse let in a couple of softies he wanted back, I know that for a fact. But after that, they didn’t score again. Our defence dominated.”
The Rebels (1-0) play three times this week, including a Friday home game vs. the Langley Warriors (8 p.m., MSA Arena).