(VERSION FRANÇAISE SUIT)
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Rookie Jason Bonnema scored four goals and added an assist, while veteran Liam Miletich collected six points as the McGill Redbirds doubled the Trent Excalibur 16-8 in Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association action at Justin Chiu Stadium, Saturday.
The victory extended McGill's season-opening win streak to eight games and improved its record to 8-0 atop the CUFLA East Division. The Redbirds joined Western (9-0) as the only two undefeated teams remaining in the 14-team league.
The result was McGill's third straight win over Trent and fifth in the last six meetings since halting a five-game losing streak against the Excalibur in 2024. Mcgill leads the all-time series with a 22-13 record since they first crossed paths in 2008.
With two regular-season games remaining, McGill is bidding for its first undefeated campaign since 2024, when the Redbirds posted a perfect 10-0 record.
"It was a solid performance tonight against Trent, where we dictated the pace of play and controlled possession for the majority of the game," said McGill head coach Andrew Meakes. "Our transition game, anchored by aggressive rides and clean clears, kept us firmly in command throughout."
McGill led 3-1 after the opening quarter and 7-3 at halftime before extending its advantage to 11-5 through three quarters. The Redbirds outscored Trent 5-3 in the final stanza to complete the convincing road victory.
Bonnema led an attack that featured 10 different McGill goal scorers. Miletich contributed a goal and five assists, while Dylan Fenton, Torsten Blodgett and Tyler Miocevich scored twice apiece.
Zack Page, Cameron Prior, Roman Gabriel, Jack Faller and Dylan Steinwald added singles.
Fenton finished with four points, including two assists, while Blodgett and Miocevich each collected three points. Callum Olson contributed two helpers.
"The offence moved the ball sharply, keeping Trent's netminder under heavy pressure," Meakes said.
Mason Tardiff paced Trent with three goals and an assist, while Keegan Detweiler and Connor Curtis scored twice apiece. Bronsen Muller rounded out the Excalibur scoring.
McGill dominated 47-24 in shots, including a 26-11 advantage in the opening half.
Brennan Visokey played all 60 minutes in the McGill net and was credited with the victory, while Callan Baker went the distance for Trent and was charged with the loss.
"Defensively, we remained disciplined and physical, while Brennan came up with several spectacular stops to keep the contest out of reach," Meakes said.
The Redbirds were assessed three penalties, compared with four for the Excalibur. The contest ended with some late-game friction, resulting in expulsions to McGill's Yoan Pinsonneault and Trent's Will White with one second remaining.
McGill (8-0) will close out the regular season with two road games, visiting Queen's (5-3) on Sunday, Oct. 25 and Ottawa (6-2) on Nov. 1. Trent (4-4-1) concludes its schedule at home against Bishop's (1-5-0) on Nov. 1.
REDBIRDS RAP
Bonnema's four-goal performance was his first hat-trick of the season... The Redbirds have outscored opponents 108-66 through eight games, an average of 13.5 goals per outing... McGill has scored at least 12 goals in each of its eight victories... The Redbirds swept their two regular-season meetings with Trent, having opened the campaign with a 14-12 home-field victory on Sept. 12... McGill outscored the Excalibur 30-20 in those two contests.
SCORING SUMMARY
McGILL 16, TRENT 8
At Justin Chiu Stadium, Peterborough, Ont.
(Goals numbered sequentially, with the running score after each goal)
FIRST QUARTER
-
Trent — Connor Curtis (Jayden Sample) 5:12, 0-1.
-
-
-
SECOND QUARTER
-
-
Trent — Mason Tardiff (Reed Chamberlain) 2:52, 4-2.
-
Trent — Bronsen Muller (Jordan Dool) 7:54, 4-3.
-
-
-
THIRD QUARTER
-
-
Trent — Mason Tardiff (Jaiden Maseko) 2:21, 8-4.
-
-
-
-
Trent — Connor Curtis (Keegan Detweiler) 14:18, 11-5.
FOURTH QUARTER
-
-
-
Trent — Keegan Detweiler (Mason Tardiff) 4:48, 13-6.
-
-
Trent — Keegan Detweiler (Jordan Dool) 7:55, 14-7.
-
Trent — Mason Tardiff (Reed Chamberlain) 12:39, 14-8.
-
-
GOALS BY QUARTER
|
Team
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Total
|
|
McGill
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
16
|
|
Trent
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
8
|
SHOTS BY QUARTER
|
Team
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Total
|
|
McGill
|
12
|
14
|
9
|
12
|
47
|
|
Trent
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
9
|
24
|
GOALTENDERS: McGill — Brennan Visokey (W), 60:00, 8 GA. Trent — Callan Baker (L), 60:00, 16 GA.
PENALTIES: McGill 3; Trent 4.
UPDATED RECORDS: McGill (8-0); Trent (4-4-1).
NEXT GAMES: McGill at Queen's, Sunday, Oct. 25; McGill at Ottawa, Sunday, Nov. 1; Bishop's at Trent, Sunday, Nov. 1.
CUFLA STATS & STANDINGS
==========================================
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
