It’s safe to say that grade 11 attacker Sullivan Lavoie is happy to have field lacrosse back in his life.
“It’s nice. I love all the competition and I just love the game. It’s good for everyone to be able to the play a sport they all love. I really missed it and I missed playing with my friends,” said the standout from the Powerview Wild Wolves who also plays basketball and hockey.
“It made me sad not being able to play, and just playing in the back yard alone, especially having no siblings. I’m glad it’s back.”
Lavoie was part of a 16-person Wild Wolves roster that had “a lot of new faces” this season after a multiple-year layoff due to COVID, but are “all pretty close”. It didn’t take long for the squad to shake off the rust, as they scored a minute into the contest and didn’t look back, winning their only game during opening weekend 12-6 over a Glenlawn squad that got five goals from lacrosse veteran Morgan Currie.
Lavoie, who’s played lacrosse casually for a long time, but only took it up seriously a few seasons ago, led his side with five goals, four of which came in the second half of play as he started to get rolling.
“I was a little bit scared at the start there. I looked a little bit shaky, but then once I started feeling good and getting confidence back since it’s been a while since I played the game, it felt good. After that first one went in I started getting comfortable.”
A big-body presence, Lavoie used his strength and aggressiveness to get into advantageous positions all game, and he let his rocket of a shot do the rest. He prides himself on his tenacity and is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team.
“I like attack, but I’ll play whatever coach tells me to play. Whatever it takes to get wins. Attack’s my favourite because I like to get up real close and be physical with the other team. I don’t really know where the physicality comes from, because I never really played football or anything. I just like to think it’s lacrosse. I’ve played a lot of physical games in box lacrosse, it’s fun. It’s my favourite part of the game.”
Manitoba High School Field Lacrosse League 