The National Lacrosse League season ended two weeks ago (Friday) and the Edmonton Rush are your 2015 Champions.
After a year apart, Church and McIntosh were reunited and looked as if they didn’t miss a beat the entire season. During the 2015 season Church and McIntosh scored 37 goals each, but Robert edged out Ben in the assists 55-49. Combined this dynamic duo accounted for 30.7 percent of the team’s league leading 241 goals.
During the 2015 season and while they played college ball at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., I was able to interview both Robert Church and Ben McIntosh on several occasions. So following their victory to win the Champions Cup I asked Robert and Ben a few questions about this past season.
RG: With everything the team has gone through this season with Coach Keenan and Aaron Bold, how was this team able to stay so focused after the slow start?
Robert Church: Our team is so close and really do consider each other family and that was a big reason that we were able to overcome such adversity this season. I can’t even imagine what Coach Keenan and Aaron have been through but I think them knowing that every single guy on our team was there for them helped them get through their tough times as best they could.
RG: With both of you being Drexel Alumns, and getting the chance in the NCAA, how does it feel to win the title as teammates?
RC: It feels great to win a title as teammates. Ben and I have been playing on the same lacrosse team since Pee-wee so being able to win at the highest level of lacrosse together is pretty special.
RG: Your rookie season you start 14-0 and fall a goal short in mini game; how does it feel to be on top.
RC: We have a great group of people on our team and that was so important this season to our success. Last year was pretty devastating to get knocked out the way we did after such a historic season but we learned from it. We had one goal in mind from the very first day of training camp and that was to win the Champion’s Cup. It was an incredible feeling to win the Champion’s Cup and I couldn’t have imagined doing it with any other group of guys.
RG: Rushs’ biggest fan is obviously Grandma Rush. Tell us what she’s like. She has been there since Day 1—it seems like she is part of the team.
RC: Grandma Rush is great. She is so supportive of us and we love having her around. She’s great for getting the crowd fired up and we definitely feed off of that energy she brings each and every home game. She truly is a super fan and every single one of us is grateful to have her be a part of the Rush organization.
Unfortunately Ben didn’t reply prior to the article being posted, but back in March following their 16-3 win over Rochester I asked Ben McIntosh about playing with Robert again as well as the team pulling together with the adversity that they faced, and he did echo what Robert stated above.
Thank You Robert and Ben for the time and again Congratulations to you and the Edmonton Rush on being the 2015 NLL Champions!
