Championship Recap

On February 18th, 2023, the Arena Lacrosse League West Women's held their final weekend of games at the Langley Field House; on the unceeded Traditional Territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Matsqui First Nations.

Team Bears #20 Deb Phillips taking the first faceoff of the day against Team Flying Squirrels #17 Ashley Bull

The first ever Arena Lacrosse League West Women's Cherlyn Billy Memorial Championship was against Team Bears vs Team Flying Squirrels. Team Bears went into the final game with a record of 6 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. Team Flying Squirrels went into the final game with a record of 5 wins, and 3 loses. Both teams came out fired up and excited to play their hearts out for this final game of the 2022-2023 season. 

Arena Lacrosse League West Women's Cherlyn Billy Memorial Championship Trophy donated by Frank and Zahia Kirby; named after Lacrosse Leader, Coach and Role Model Cherlyn Dawn Billy.

Game started at 2:40 pm at the Langley Field House with Team Flying Squirrels scoring the first goal of the game by #6 Daniela Carey and assisted by #17 Ashley Bull. Team Bears fired back with the second goal of the game by #20 Deb Phillips and assisted by #3 Christel Blesch. Bears continued to fire away at the Flying Squirrels and scored the third goal of the game by #3 Christel Blesch and assisted by #8 Delaney Davidson. Bears scored the forth goal of the game by #20 Deb Phillips with the assist from #8 Delaney Davidson. The fifth goal of the game was scored by Bears player # 8 Delaney Davidson and assisted by #4 Jade McKinnan. The final goal of the first quarter was scored by Bears player # 8 Delaney Davidson with the assist by #3 Christel Blesch. Ending the first quarter with a score off 2-5 for the Bears. Team Bears goal tender #00 Kristine Renaud had 7 saves in the first quarter. Team Flying Squirrels goal tender #01 Dorothy Paul had 11 saves in the first quarter.

Flying Squirrels #17 Ashley Bull with the behind the back pass to her teammate, getting the ball away from Bears #20 Deb Phillips and #16 Amanda Chasin.

The second quarter started off with the Flying Squirrels answering the Bears back with a goal by #16 Harlowe Steele at 1442 and followed with a second goal by #10 Michela Paterson at 1400. Team Bears got back on the score board with a goal at 0816 by #8 Delaney Davidson with assist by #9 Jordan Bolam. Flying Squirrels berried another two goals with the first scored by #6 Daniela Carey with the assist by #10 Michela Paterson, and the second goal scored by #17 Ashley Bull with assist by #10 Michela Paterson. Bears last goal of the second quarter was by #8 Delaney Davidson with assist by #3 Christel Blesch. Ending the second with a score off 6 to 7 for the Bears. Team Bears goal tender #00 Kristine Renaud had 9 saves in the second quarter. Team Flying Squirrels goal tender #01 Dorothy Paul had 16 saves in the second quarter.

Flying Squirrels player #12 Megan Stewart being hit by Team Bears #6 Jennifer Ferandes

The third quarter both teams came out with fire and determination to give the best game they could. The first goal was scored by Team Bears #9 Jordan Bolam with assist by #4 Jade McKinnan at 11:33. Flying Squirrels scored at 9:00 with the goal by # 17 Ashley Bull with assist by #10 Michela Paterson. The Bears fired back with a goal at 8:09 by #7 Nicole Palnke with assist by #8 Delaney Davidson. Flying Squirrels got their 8th goal of the game by #12 Megan Stewart with assist by #7 Ashleigh Stewart. The Bears got their 10th goal of the game by #8 Delaney Davidson. Ending the third with a score of 8 to 10 for the Bears. Team Bears goal tender #00 Kristine Renaud had 12 saves in the third quarter. Team Flying Squirrels goal tender #01 Dorothy Paul had 14 saves in the third quarter.

Bears player #8 Delaney Davidson with a breakaway goal on Flying Squirrels goal tender #01 Dorothy Paul, with defender # 19 Maise Bruce attempting to stop her.

The final quarter of the game was well fought by both teams, showcasing what it truly means to "play like a girl." The game was being live streamed off our Instagram page and filmed by volunteer Sean Reid. This game was watched by female players all over the world, with shout outs on our Instagram page from players from Australia, Netherlands, and England! Bears came out determined to win and put away two goals right off the bat. First goal was scored by #11 Chelsea Johnson with assist by #8 Delaney Davidson. The second goal was scored by #3 Christel Blesch and assisted by #7 Nicole Planke. Flying Squirrels were not out for the count just yet! They rallied together and answered back with two goals, the first by # 16 Harlowe Steele, with the assist by #10 Michela Paterson. The second goal was scored by # 17 Ashley Bull with assist by #10 Michela Paterson. Bears scored their third of the quarter by #8 Delaney Davidson with assist by #4 Jade McKinnan. The Flying Squirrels were determined to win and dropped another three goals. First two goals were scored by #16 Harlowe Steele with the assist by #17 Ashley Bull. their next goal was by #12 Megan Stewart with the assist by #10 Michela Paterson. Making the game score 14-13 for the Flying Squirrels. Bears answered back to tied the game with a goal by #20 Deb Phillips and assisted by #3 Christel Blesch; making the game at 14-14. Flying Squirrels didn't back down and scored the game winning goal by #16 Harlowe Steele, sealing the win for their team! Team Bears goal tender #00 Kristine Renaud had 13 saves in the final quarter. Team Flying Squirrels goal tender #01 Dorothy Paul had 21 saves in the final quarter.

Our 2022-2023 Cherlyn Billy Memorial Championship winners Team Flying Squirrels

Our 2022-2023 second place team the Bears after a well fought final match of the season, with teammate Kaylee Paterson jersey with them to show support as she recovers from a car accident. 

Team Flying Squirrels Captain #17 Ashley Bull, with assistant Captain #16 Harlowe Steel and assistant Captain #11 Ava Regan with the Cherlyn Billy Memorial Champion Trophy

Thank you ladies for a wonderful season and some talented lacrosse play through out! We hope to see you all back next season!!!