As McGill Redmen coach Tim Murdoch hoisted the Baggataway Cup at Trent University, the weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The Redmen were crowned CUFLA champions for the first time in program history as they defeated the Western Mustangs in a thrilling 7-6 overtime battle.
The weekend was full of emotion and excitement as McGill knocked off the Guelph Gryphons in another overtime win, this time by a score of 9-8. Tournament MVP Brandon McLean would send the Redmen to the finals with the game winner against the Gryphons. McLean was dominant on draws all weekend and played a vital part en route to the national championship.
Coach Murdoch has been a part of the Redmen lacrosse program for 10 years and has turned the program around in the last few years. With the prestige of McGill’s academic standards, it has allowed the Redmen to recruit heavily from south of the border. With the major influence of Americans, Murdoch developed a system predicated to their athletic dodging midfielders that caused major problems for other CUFLA squads. Murdoch’s adaptation in strategy even influenced other coaches to change the traditional CUFLA style, moving away from box lacrosse on field to a more field oriented NCAA style of play.
American’s playing north of the border for McGill include Alex Rohrbach, Richie Klares, Tayler Sipperly, Nolan Prinzen, Drew Laird, Eric Sipperly to name a few. Sophomore Rohrbach posted a solid 27 goals, nine assists for a solid 35 points in 10 games while freshman Richie Klares found the back of the cage 13 times while adding 9 assists for 22 points in nine games.
Despite the American revolution in Montreal, PQ, Aurora,ON native Ryan Besse was the true leader on and off the field for the Redmen. Besse buried 26 goals, 9 assists for 35 points in 10 games. The St.Andrew’s College product was a huge factor in the Baggataway Cup weekend in Peterborough by registering five goals, two assists for seven points in three games. Besse was also named a CUFLA All-Canadian for the third time in his career. Although in 2010 and 2011 Besse was ran from up top as a midfielder, this year Murdoch moved the senior to attack and the decision paid off.
Senior co-captain Jishan Sharples also made a big impact in his fourth season in a Redmen uniform as the BC native scored 17 goals, added 3 assists for 20 points. The midfielder also added 5 goals including the Baggataway Cup final game winner against Western. Sharples was also named an All-Canadian midfielder for the second time in his four years at McGill.
Despite losing great players and leaders with the likes of Besse and Sharples, the Redmen still have a solid core of young talent. With the history of Murdoch’s recruiting skills, McGill will continue to add talent south of the border and bring in Canadian born players as well. With the Redmen finally winning their first Baggataway Cup, perhaps we could see the beginning of a dynasty in Montreal.
