The Spirit of the Stick: A Semiahmoo Minor Lacrosse Tale

The Spirit of the Stick: A Semiahmoo Minor Lacrosse Tale

It was a cloudy Tuesday late afternoon in White Rock when the Semiahmoo Rock’s U13 team took the floor at Centennial Arena. The stands were filled with peppermint tea-clutching parents and excited siblings, but what no one expected that day was a game that would be talked about for years.

Coach Mike told the boys all week: “Lacrosse isn’t just about the goals. It’s about heart.” And no one had more heart than Riley T. Barely five feet tall and wearing hand-me-down gear, Riley wasn’t the fastest or the biggest—but he had guts.

The Rock were down 6–1 at halftime to the rival Surrey Rebels. Morale was low. A few players slumped on the bench, ready to give up. That’s when Riley stood up. “They don’t get to walk into our house and win like that. Let’s show them who Semiahmoo is!”

The second half was a storm. Jack B’s blistering outside shots narrowed the gap. Kai Z, the team’s quiet defender, turned into a wall. Riley hustled like his feet were on fire—diving for loose balls, blocking shots, setting screens. He only scored once, but he was everywhere.

With 30 seconds left, tied 7–7, the Rock had one last possession. Riley fed the ball to Aiden L on the crease, who buried the winner as the horn sounded.

The bench exploded. Parents cheered. Even the Rebels coach clapped.

That day wasn’t just a win. It was a turning point. Semiahmoo learned what it meant to play as a team, to fight back when it was easier to quit.

And from then on, whenever a new Rock laced up for their first practice, someone would say, “You ever hear about Riley T.? Let me tell you a story…”

Rock on 3