It was an unexpected offensive outburst that has pulled the Richmond Roadrunners within two points of the final playoff spot in the B.C. Intermediate “A” Lacrosse League.
The Roadrunners scored eight of the game’s final 11 goals to pull away from the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen for a 13-9 home floor win on Sunday afternoon at Minoru Arena. The result lifted Richmond’s record to 5-10-0 on the season and right behind Port Coquitlam (6-9-0) for eighth place.
Despite the record, the Roadrunners are among the league's top defensive teams with only three clubs ahead of them in goals against. Conversely, it has been a struggle in the goal scoring department. Richmond was averaging eight goals per contest which ranked last in the 11-team circuit before Sunday’s outburst.
The Timbermen were missing their captain and the league’s top goal scorer Adam Fulton who was suspended after his team’s 12-10 win over Coquitlam.
“We were pretty lucky he was suspended yesterday but we battled hard,” said Roadrunners head coach Rod Jensen, who is joined on the bench by defensive assistant Fred Klomp. “We have had some close games this year that we have lost so this was a good one to win. We still have a shot at making the playoffs and we will give it a go.”
Jensen has a wealth of coaching experience, having guided teams in the National Lacrosse League and Western Lacrosse Association. He will be returning to the senior ranks as soon as next season but at least the longtime Richmond high school teacher gets to coach his son Ryan in his hometown.
“This is a good group of kids who always work hard at practice,” added Jensen. “We do have some good offensive players but have had some bad luck here or there.”
Jensen praised his team’s effort at the defensive floor, led by the efforts Diesel De Guzman in net.
Taylor Dudlets paced the attack with eight points, including six goals, and now has a team-leading 35 on the season. Sekawnee Baker chipped in with a pair. Aiden Miller, Aiden Ellis, Brock Jung, Ryan Jensen and Josh Bourne also scored.
With four games remaining, Richmond returns to action July 4 in Coquitlam and is at home the following night to take on the Delta Islanders at 8 p.m.
