Season Opener WALL West

On December 2nd, 2023, the Arena Lacrosse League West Women's held their Season Opener at the Langley Field House; on the unceeded Traditional Territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Matsqui First Nations. The league started the season off in a good way with a prayer and smudging of the benches

The first game of the season was the Flying Squirrels against the Bears, starting the season off were 2023 season ended! Both teams came out to play, and  had been anticipating this match up since their Championship Game. Team Flying Squirrels came to play and ended up defeating the Bears 7 to 12; the Bears were missing half of their roster and we are excited for when these two teams play again. Team Bear had #00 Christine Smith and #1 Kara Geortz as their goal keepers; this was both of their first games in the WALL West. Team Flying Squirrels had #00 Rhyan Holmes and #1 Darcie Conkin; Rhyan playing in her second season and Darcie new to the 6 team league format. 

Head coach Ryley Brown going over strategies before the start of the game. 

The second game of the day was Team Turtles vs Team Hawks. Both teams has an array of new players to the league, making for some exciting match ups and show casing the players abilities. The Turtles came to play and did not disappoint beating the Hawks 11 to 7. Team Turtles had #00 Julia Friesen as their goal tender; this is Julia's second season with WALL West. Team Hawks had #00 Cloe Etienne and #1 Ainslee Rushton; both their first time in the WALL West league.

Turtles #8 Nicole Pahnke about to rip a shot on net, against the Hawks. She finished the game with 1 goal and 1 assist.

The third game of the day was the Bats vs the Deer. Both teams welcoming new players to the WALL West league. Both teams showed phenomenal lacrosse. Leaving spectators biting their nails, with the Bats scoring to tie the game with under 10 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Bats and Deer tied with a score of 9 to 9. Team Bats had goalie tender #00 Darya Saed; new to the league. #1 Ella Friesen; third season in the WALL West. 

Team Deer #2 Mary McQueen against Team Bats #8 Danita Stroup; all smiles playing against your friend.

The last game of the day was Team Flying Squirrels against Team Hawks. Each teams second game of the day, Flying Squirrels with a full bench and the Hawks with 11 runners. Team Flying Squirrels goal tender was #1 Darcie Conkin, coming up with 27 saves, and combination between #00 Cloe Etienne and #1 Ainslee Rushton with 43 saves. the Flying Squirrels defeated the Hawks 9 to 5. 

Missed the action? Don't worry the second weekend of games begins Dec. 9th at 1:00 pm at the Langley Field House, we hope to see you there.