When Moose Jaw Mustangs veterans Cashton Seaborg and Mason Williams took part in the 2023 Commonwealth Cup in Melbourne, Australia last February, Team Canada enjoyed an impressive showing on their way to taking first place in the event.
This time around, four members of the local box lacrosse program were members of Team Canada at the International Indoor Lacrosse League event -- and to say things went even better would be an understatement.
Seaborg and Williams were joined by goaltender Luke Andrews and runner Colton Ebbett at the tournament Feb 17-20, with the crew posting a series of lopsided wins before downing an Australian All-Star team 15-8 in the gold medal game.
The tournament is designed to help develop Australia’s fledgling box lacrosse program and saw Canada play a trio of club teams before the best Australian players from those games formed the All-Star team for the final. In addition to the games, Team Canada held clinics and helped coach the Australian teams as they develop and improve their skills on the world stage.
Canada opened with a 24-7 win over the Melbourne Storm before rolling past the Adelaide Thunder 18-7 and downing the Perth Fury 22-8 in the round robin.
Canada 24, Melbourne 7
Canada wasted no time getting things going in their opening game, taking a 7-3 lead out of the first quarter and building a 16-6 lead by halftime.
Williams scored Canada’s first goal of the tournament 24 seconds into the proceedings and would finish with three goals and seven points on the night.
Seaborg was right behind him with three goals and six points, and Ebbett had a goal and three points from his defensive position.
Andrews played the second half of the game and allowed a single goal.
Canada 18, Adelaide 7
Things were closer in the early going in Canada’s second outing, as Canada led 4-1 after the first quarter but found themselves holding a three-goal lead 7-4 at halftime. Things changed dramatically after the break, though, and Canada would outscore Adelaide 11-3 in the second half, including a 4-0 shutout in the fourth quarter.
Seaborg led Canada in scoring with two goals and eight points, while Ebbett scored their final two goals and finished with three goals and five points. Williams tacked on two goals and four points.
Andrews was solid again, allowing four goals in his half-game of work.
Canada 22, Perth 8
Canada actually found themselves behind the eight ball early, as Perth took a 1-0 lead 1:24 into the game and then regained the lead only 20 seconds after Canada tied things up at 2:10.
Seaborg tied the game 40 seconds after Perth’s go-ahead goal, though, and after Williams made it 3-2 with 4:15 to play in the quarter, Canada was off to the races. Six-straight goals by the the 3:55 mark of the second extended their lead to 8-2 and by halftime Canada would be up 10-4.
Seven more goals in the third quarter turned things into a 17-6 route, and Canada tacked on five more in the final frame.
Seaborg had his best game of the tournament with four goals and nine points, while Williams racked up five goals and also had nine points. Ebbett scored once and had three points.
Andrews allowed four goals in the second half.
Scoring information was unavailable for the championship final.
